August Whitlock was in 8th grade when his best friend, Micheal, shot himself. He was already having a tough time, but things only went down from there.

On the first day of his freshmen year, Auggie tried to look at things in a more positive light, even when a group of seniors ripped up his books and shoved him in his one locker.

He tried not to judge people. Auggie tried to understand how he could be both happy and sad with his life.

During the second month of school, August decided to go to his first high school party. He’d never drank alcohol before nor had he participated in drugs, but he knew he needed to get out of the house.

It was pathetic. It was the second month of school, and Auggie still didn’t have any friends.

The party was mostly occupied by high school seniors and college freshmen, but August didn’t really mind. A senior guy had offered him some brownies, to which he accepted.

August did not know that the brownies were filled with drugs. The party marked his first night ever being stoned.

He now had a major headache, sitting at the counter in the kitchen of the house party. No one else was in the kitchen, until a tall, muscular guy sat across from August.

Auggie was recognized the guy almost right away. His name was Briggs. Briggs Moore. He was a college freshmen that went to school with August’s older brother. They had even played football together throughout high school.

Briggs grunted, his muscles flexing as he took a sip of his beer and drank in the freshmen in front of him.

“First time being stoned?” Briggs questioned, though he already knew the answer. He could tell by the way Auggie tried to keep himself from falling asleep.