Chapter 26

                I’ve been ignoring Alex for the past few days. It was hard, especially since we lived in the same house now, but I somehow managed to find a way to dodge out of his way.

                I knew that I was being unreasonable by avoiding him, but I didn’t want to face him. I didn’t want to face him when he told me that he had accepted his dad’s offer to France. I didn’t want to face him when he says that he’s moving to another country for four years.

                So, needless to say, I was running away from my problems.

                Maybe it wasn’t the smartest decision, but it was all I could do at this point.

               Alex wasn’t dumb, though. He knew from the very moment when we exited his father’s house that I was acting up. During the two hour drive back home, I kept looking out the window with ear buds plugged in so I would be able to avoid any conversation with him.

                “Hello?” Clarice’s manicured nails snapped in my face, as she gave me an irritated glare. “Earth to Aerial!”

                Startled, I jolted up from my seat, snapping out of my thoughts. I face the blonde, who was raising her eyebrows at me. “Sorry, what did you say?” I muttered, stirring the untouched, chocolate milkshake in front of me.

                Clarice frowned. “I asked if you were coming to Elliot Chamber’s New Year’s party, but it seems as if you have other things on your mind.” She paused, leaning over the table, giving me a skeptical look. “Spill.”

                “It’s nothing.” I muttered, obviously lying.

                Clarice shot me a glare, before taking her back hand, and slapping it against the side of my head. I winced, pulling myself away from her grip. “Ouch, Clarice!” I hissed, rubbing my aching head. “What the hell was that for?”

                Clarice rolled my eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you that you can’t lie for shit?” she cussed. “Now tell me before I spill my milkshake on your head.”

                I stared at her empty glass, raising an eyebrow challengingly. “You have no more milkshake, though.”

                Clarice eyed my full glass, giving me a sickening evil grin. “But you do.” She snapped. “Now tell me.”

                I sighed, staring at her with frustrating. I ran a hand through my tangled hair that I hadn’t bothered to run a brush through today. “I went to some Christmas dinner party that Alex’s father hosted a week ago.” I started off, as Clarice nodded slowly. “Things didn’t go so well, at first. Did you know that his father is married to a twenty three year old?”

                Clarice gasped, clamping a hand over her lips. “Are you serious?” she counted with her fingers. “Gross! She’s only five years older than Alex! They could be siblings!”

                I shrugged. “That’s exactly what I thought. But anyways, pushing that aside, at the end of the dinner party, when the house cleared out, Alex’s father gave him something.” I gulped. “He gave Alex plane tickets to France.”

                “What about it? He wants to take Alex on a vacation?” Clarice asked.

                I scoffed, shaking my head. “No.” I muttered. “He wants to take Alex to live with him in France. He sugar coated everything, saying how he bought a fancy house there. He even told Alex that he has connections with one of the best universities there, and he could easily enroll him in.”

                Clarice’s eyes widened, but she didn’t look as panicked as I did when I found out. “What did Alex say to it?”

                I shifted my eyes down to my cold hands, shrugging. “I don’t know.”

                Clarice gave me a stank look. “What the hell do you mean you don’t know?”

                I bit my lower lip. “I haven’t been exactly talking to him since that day.”

                Clarice’s jaw dropped, as she gave me a disapproving glare. “You’ve been ignoring him?” she hissed. “What is wrong with you?!”

                I grimaced under Clarice’s looks of anger, as I dipped my head low. “I just don’t want him to tell me that he’s moving away.”

                Clarice’s features softened, as she let out an exasperated sigh. “He told you he loves you, right?”

                My heart instantly leapt, as my eyes snapped towards Clarice within a flash. When I didn’t say a word, Clarice let out a long gasp. “Oh my God, no way.” She whispered. “He hasn’t, has he?”

                I shook my head, wishing that Alex would say that he loves me already. I just wanted to know if he felt the same way I did about him. “No.” I mumbled.

                “Do you love him?” she asked.

                I didn’t even have to think this question over. Before I gave myself permission to speak, I said, “Yes.”

                “Then what the hell are you doing here getting milkshakes with me?” Clarice snapped. “You should be getting your man right now.”

                And before I knew it, I was out of the diner. Since Clarice and I had walked to the diner, I had to find myself back to Alex’s house. But, that didn’t stop me from running as fast as I could to find Alex. It was cold that day, and the wind was strong. I could feel my cheeks getting ruddy and frostbitten as my hair lashed behind my neck. I did my best to run through the piles of snow on the sidewalk, and dodging the sleek ice that hardened. I might’ve tripped a few times, but I didn’t care.

                I just wanted to tell Alex that I love him.

                When I reached Alex’s house, I pushed the doors open. I ran into the living room, where I had heard voices. I was preparing myself to run into Alex’s arms, kissing him full on the lips, and telling him that I love him. But, I didn’t expect to see his entire family standing in the living room with suitcases all over the room.

                I stopped breathing once I saw his father.

                I knew I looked like a complete mess, hair all over the place, sweaty and cheeks flushed red from running. But, I didn’t care about my appearance right now. I just wanted to know what on Earth was going on, and why Alex had suitcases lined up beside him.

                “Alex?” I whispered in a voice so low, I doubt any of them could hear me clearly.

                Alex’s eyes were burning into mine for the entire time, eyes so blank and lifeless. “What’s going on?” I asked.

                Roger, Alex’s father, came right up behind Alex, patting his back with his palms. I finally took the time to look at Alex’s mother, whose eyes looked red from crying. “Alex here is coming with me to France.”

                Alex’s mother let out a sob, as my eyes snapped towards Alex immediately. I stared at him with wide eyes, as my lips parted open with disbelief.

                “Alex?” my voice came out breathless. “Alex, tell me he’s lying.”

                Alex’s eyes dropped from mine, as he stared at the floor below. With one shake on the head, my heart stopped. “He’s not lying. “ Alex spoke for the first time since I barged into the room. “I’m going with him to France.”

                My heart was beating against my chest so fast. I was afraid that if I wasn’t going to calm down anytime soon, I would have a heart attack. Tears welled up in my eyes, as I watched Alex’s eyes turned bright with worry through my blurry vision. My hands shook by my sides, as I nodded forcefully and weakly. “Okay.” I whispered, barely believing the fact that I could speak.

                Roger stepped in between us, carrying two of Alex’s luggages in each hand. “I’ll give you two a minute.” He turned to Alex’s mother. “Help me out, will you?”

                Alex’s mother looked so helpless, as she glared at Roger. She gulped, before taking the last suitcase in her hands, pulling the handle out to roll it on the floor. Before she left to the car, she turned to me with lifeless eyes. “I tried.” She whispered.

                Once Roger and Alex’s mother were gone, I turned to Alex with tears flowing from my eyes uncontrollably. I had to bit my lower lip to prevent it from quivering. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, my eyes burning into his with sudden anger. “How come you never told me about this?!”

                Alex’s eyes shot towards me accusingly. “You’ve been avoiding me for an entire week! How the hell was I supposed to try to reach you?”

                My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. “But it’s not fair.” I whispered. “You promised me that you would never leave me.”

                Alex’s eyes stared at me with guilt and regret, before they turned dark again. “You don’t even care, Aerial.”

                I took a step closer to him, pounding my fists against his chest angrily. “How could you even say that?!” I cried, slamming him with my fist. “I fucking love you!”

                Alex’s hands suddenly latched around my wrists, stopping me from hitting him. I let out a sob, as I glared up at him with hatred. “Let go!” I tried to pull away. “Let go of me!”

                Alex’s eyes bored into mine, as his grip tightened around my wrist. “What did you just say?”

                “Let go!” I repeated, wanting to punch him just a few more times.

                “Before that.” He paused. “What did you say?”

                Suddenly, I stopped trying to fight back with him, as my hands fell lifeless. My face turned to horror as I realized what I had said to Alex without knowing it. But, it was what I came here to tell him, right? I came here to tell him that I love him.

                “I said I love you, you fucking idiot.” I muttered, cheeks turning crimson red.

                “How come you tell me that now?” Alex asked, eyes turning dark with anger. “If you love me, then you wouldn’t have avoided me for so long.”

                “God!” I hissed. “I was ignoring you because I was afraid of this! I was afraid that you were going to tell me that you would leave me for some fancy ass school in France!”

                Alex clenched his jaw, as he dropped my hands. My palms fell to my sides, as I couldn’t help but feel my wrists burning from his touch. “You should’ve told me earlier.” He mumbled, looking off to the side. “It’s a bit too late now.”

                A tear slid down my right cheek. “You’re actually going?”

                Alex nodded, staring at me with heartbreaking eyes. “I have to.” He muttered. “My father already enrolled me in the school this morning.”

                I felt my blood boiling in my veins. If I hadn’t been ignoring him for so long, he could’ve actually stayed. I clenched my fists against my sides, digging my nails into my palms. I was so angry, I wanted to punch something. Anything, I just wanted to release all the anger I had inside of me.

                “The stupid school is more important than me?” I managed to choke out.

                Alex’s eyes fell. “Of course not, babe.” He wiped a tear from my cheek, pulling me in to him. His body felt so warm against mine, as I buried my face in his shoulder. “I love you.”

                I let out a sob. “Then why are you leaving me?”

                Alex pulled away from me, placing his forehead against mine. He licked his lips, soothing out my tangled and unruly hair. “I’m going to come back one day, Aerial Mason. I’m going to come back a better person for you.” He whispered, kissing the trail of tears on my cheeks. “I’m going to come back from France one day, and love you more than I love you now.”

“I hate you so much, Alex. Don’t leave me here.” I begged.

                Alex kissed the corner of my lips, making me arch my back. “I love you so much, Aerial.” He ignored my pleading. “I want to hear you tell me that you love me one more time.”

                “This isn’t going to be the last time.” I whispered, as his lips finally met mine. Our lips moved in sync, as he had his arms tightly around my waist, trying to pull me in closer to him.

                “Say it.” He demanded against my lips. “Just one last time before I leave.”

                His lips moved away from mine, as he began to peck my earlobe. I gulped, as I felt my hands begin to tremble. “Alex, please don’t go.”

                His lips left my ears, as he began to leave me a hot trail of kisses on my neck. He pulled down the sleeve of my sweater, exposing my bare shoulder. He began to suck on my collarbone, making me let out a gasp.

                “I will you make you.” He threatened, hands sliding down my back.

                I closed my eyes, as he continued to kiss me everywhere. I wanted him to stop; I wanted him to tell me that he was going to stay with me forever. But, I knew I was being selfish. I was holding him back from doing big things.

                “Alex, just tell me one thing.” I moaned, as nibbled on my jaw line. “Do you want to go to France?”

                “Mhmm.” He mumbled, hands sliding into my shirt. His warm hands trailed up to my cold body, playing with the hem of my bra.

                He needed to stop torturing me, right now.

                “I love you.” I finally said, while his hands tickled my ribcage.

                Alex had stopped kissing me, but I was still pressed against him, and his warm hands were still holding me protectively.

                “Now, give me one last kiss.” I said. “And then you can leave.”

                Alex looked at me hesitantly, as I stared at his rosy red lips from kissing me so much. His head began to dip low, and soon, his lips were pressed against mine. It was the best kiss we’ve ever had together, and I almost didn’t want it to end. It was absolutely intoxicating.

                Before things got too attached and heated, I pushed him off.

                “Okay, done.” I whispered. “Your car is waiting outside.”

                Alex stared at me with surprised eyes. “Aerial, what-“

                “Go.” My voice broke, as I turned my head away from his. I didn’t want him to see me cry. “Go to France. But, promise me you’ll come back. Don’t break this promise.”

                It was completely silent for a moment, until I heard Alex’s footsteps leave the living room. Before he was completely gone, he whispered in a voice so low, “I won’t. I promise.”  

                When the front door closed, I broke down into uncontrollable tears.

Don't hate me because of this chapter, and because this story is almost over! ): I'm predicting a few more chapters then an epilogue?

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