The Haystack

Book excerpt: Childhood, adolescence-they're supposed to be the easy years, a time for fun and self-discovery. But some kids aren't that fortunate. They're too busy struggling to keep it together, doing whatever it takes to make it through the day. And there aren't many teens in Orange County, California, who get that more than Brad, Kylie, and Travis.Brad's always been a loner with very few friends, but his life was pretty much average right up until his parents' divorce shattered his world. Coping with his older brother Johnny's drug addiction and getting teased for being overweight doesn't help either. The loneliness, depression, and stress trigger an eating disorder, and he becomes consumed with the need to burn off the fat that he blames for isolating him from his peers.Kylie is an orphan-or at least she feels like she is. Her father died when she was young, and her mother has been so spaced out on meds in the years since that Kylie basically takes care of herself. And when her boyfriend Johnny starts doing drugs with Travis to escape his troubles, she decides it's time to follow in her mother's footsteps.Ever since Travis's mom was admitted to the psych ward, he's been stuck living with his aunt. Smoking weed with his best friend Johnny used to be enough of a relief, but when his mom finally comes home, getting stoned suddenly just won't cut it. The quest for a more potent escape leads him to bond with his drug dealer, and Travis quickly realizes this new path will end with him either in jail or a body bag.