Alexandrea's P.O.V

There was an awkward silence after he asked. Every one was looking at me and waiting for an answer. I couldn't speak. I don't know why I couldn't tell Eli, I mean it was just a kiss on the cheek.

"I just uh...did a little trick" I cleared my throat.

"Oh okay" Eli said though he didn't look like he believed me.

"Yeah and I have to leave, it's getting late" I said as I glanced at the expensive clock hanging at one corner of the large room.

"Yeah, let me get my keys" Eli said as he jogged up the stairs again. I glanced at Zoey and Nicholas and noticed they were whispering to each other. Eddy had disappeared into the kitchen. I stood there awkwardly shifting from one feet to another. The maid that collected my bag brought it for me and I thanked her while she smiled warmly at me.

The thought of going home to meet my mom made me groan. I had to be because I couldn't avoid her forever. She was my mom after all. I sighed and sat down still waiting for Eli. I was thinking about what my mom said this morning.

Was I too rude? I shouldn't have spoken back to her.

Oh God! What will I say to her when we get home?

Are we going to just pretend it never happened?

I hope she doesn't ask about my nightmares because I'm not ready to talk about them.

"Hey!" I jumped a little at the deep voice that called me.

"Are you okay?" Eli said softly and I nodded. I looked around wondering where everyone was.

"Where's everyone else?" I asked.

"They left" He said and nodded. I stood up and we walked towards the door together.

He opened the door and we both headed to his car. The car ride was silent mostly because I was guilty of lying to him and because of what awaited me at home. He parked when we got to my place and we both sat in the car, none of us saying anything.

"Uh...thanks for today, I really enjoyed myself" I broke the silence smiling a little.

"I'm glad you did and my regards to your parents" He nodded running his hands through his hair. I went stiff at the word. Parents.

"Okay and yours too" I said but I still sat in the car. I just didn't want to face my mom.

"I'm not sending you away or anything but aren't you gonna head inside?" He asked arching an eyebrow at me.

"Oh yeah" I said about to open the door before he stopped me. He jogged around the car and opened the door for me. No one has ever done this for me and this thought made me blush.

"Thanks and goodnight" I said again. He leaned close to me and kissed me on the cheek.

"Good night" he whispered in my ear and I jerked back hitting his jaw. Nicholas popped up in my mind as I stared at his jaw.

"Um.. I'm so sorry" I pleaded and he smiled showing the dimples on both side of his cheeks.

I wanted to poke them real bad. God! I love dimples!!

I watched as he drove off and I walked really slowly towards the door o my house. I put the key in and unlocked it entering the house. It was silent. Maybe my mom wasn't home yet.

Unfortunately for me, she was. What I saw made me drop my bag which landed on the floor startling her. I stared at her, no! Not out of surprise but out of pure disappointment. Exactly what I complained of in the morning. That was what she was doing.

"Alex, you're home" she slurred as she stood up from the couch trying to stand upright. I couldn't move. I stayed rooted to my spot unable to believe my eyes.

She was drinking. Again.

She promised.

"I'm disappointed in you mom" I choked out and watched tears stream out her eyes.

"Maybe you are right.You deserve a better mother. Maybe this is my way of moving on" she said as she tried not to stagger as she walked towards me.

"No! You are better than this mom! I told you all that in the morning and come back to meet you like this?? You promised mom. You promised." I yelled at her as tears escaped my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I don't even know how I ended up drinking. I was waiting for your arrival so we could talk about what happened this morning" she slurred but only one thing rang in my head.

She promised me.

She promised me the same way HE promised he wouldn't hurt me.

"You promised" I whispered before storming out of the house. I didn't even think about taking my car. I just needed to think. So I ran.

Away from my mom

Away from the nightmares.

Away from the torture.

Away from...HIM.

I continued running going where my legs took me as tears tricked down my face. I was breathing heavily and my legs were throbbing but I can't stop. I don't want to.

I stopped when my leg sank into the soft sand of the beach shore. The water sparkled from the moon that wasn't fully out yet. The stars were coming out of hiding which made the view breathtaking.

I bent over with my hands in my knees breathing heavily and tired from the running. I removed my shoes and sat on the sand staring at the waves as they moved back and forth. I could just walk into the sea and let it swallow me to end this. At least I would sleep forever with no nightmares, just me.

I wanted to remove my hoodie but if anyone came here and saw me. They would stay long enough to find out what happened, they would be too terrified to speak so I just left it on.

"And we meet again" Nicholas deep voice rang in my head as he sat at a safe distance from me.

"Lucky me" I said wiping my eyes so he wouldn't notice.

"What are you doing here by the way?" He asked as he glanced at me.

"To think" I shrugged.

"You were crying" he said as he looked forward watching as the waves overlapped each other.

"I wasn't" I lied.

"Damn it Alex! Just say the fucking truth" he yelled at me making me wince.

"I wasn't crying and even if I was it's none of your fucking business okay?" I yelled back at him. Realization flashed in his eyes before we went silent again.

"I'm sorry" I whispered. He had a blank expression on his face as he stared ahead.

"Things have just been...a little tensed lately" I continued but he didn't even look at me. He was just staring ahead. He stood up minutes later and started unbuttoning his shirt as memories flashed through my mind.

"Spread your legs wide you little slut" he yelled as he unbuttoned his shirt. My eyes were red and puffy from all the crying. Mom was out again and I know she leaves the house and comes home late so she could avoid my dad. I laid on the bed with blood coming from cuts on my laps and belly.

"Please" I cried but he just grabbed my legs and roughly pulled them apart as he used his belt to tie my hands together. I cried silently when he started to-

"Hey! You're crying again" Nicholas noticed as he stood wearing only jeans. His shirt was on the sand.

"Sorry! I just um-"

"It's okay. You won't tell me if I asked anyway" he cut me off.

"What are you doing?" I sniffed referring to him standing half naked in front of me. I've seen guys half naked. In movies. But this is real life and damn those abs!

"I want to go swimming and judging from last time, you can't swim" he said folding his arms across his chest making his muscles bulge out. Him standing there was making me unfocused because I couldn't tear my eyes away from his abs.

"Eyes up here. You can check me out while we are swimming" he smirked cockily. His green eyes shone under the moonlight.

"Erm...I..w-wasn't checking you out" I stuttered.

"Yeah sure, now let's get wet" he wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"Gross, you're disgusting" I gagged as I made no attempt to stand up.

"Alex, remove some of your clothes. You can't go swimming with a hoodie and jeans" he rolled his eyes as he started to take off his jeans as well. I swear boys have no shame!

"I can't swim" I said.

"I'll teach you" he said as finally removed his jeans revealing shorts. How is he comfortable wearing shorts under his jeans??

"I can't" I shook my head avoiding his green eyes.

"Fine I won't look at you" he said as he began to turn around.

"Its not that" I said looking at him now.

"You are ashamed of your body? You don't need to be. You have an amazing body" he said and I raised an eyebrow at him questionably.

"I mean I'm not a pervert or stalker that stares at you or something because why would I?" He widened his eyes at what he said again looking flustered already.

"No! No! No! I don't mean it's not worth looking at or....ugh fuck it just tell me why" he gave up looking really flustered and I chuckled.

"I will if you don't stare or ask me any questions" I said and he nodded.

I stood up and removed my hoodie from my body. His eyes widened at the scars on my arms. Then I pulled my grey top over my head and kept my head down because I was too scared to see his reaction. I was left in my purple bra and jeans. I removed my jeans too showing my green panties.

Before you blame me, I'm not one of those people that wear matching bra and panties. I don't need it because I never showed my body to anyone. No one will want a body like mine because no matter the lingerie or matching panties and bra I wore, my scars will make it look ugly.

I loosed my long brown hair from it's ponytail and it cascaded down my body reaching my waist. I was still looking down and decided to take a peek at what his expression was. I expected pity, terror or even taking back all the things he said about having an amazing body but his expression was anger. Pure anger.

"What happened? Who did the fuck did this?" He growled out.

"No questions" I reminded him and he scoffed.

"No questions? You really expect me to ignore seeing you like this huh?"

"It's none of your business Nicholas" I half yelled.

"I don't fucking care if it my business or not okay?" He yelled at me and I flinched.

"Is this the reason you come here?" He asked and I nodded.

"Will you tell me what happened?" He asked softly moving close to me.

"No" I whispered.

"Why won't you just tell me? What is your secret?" He said softly and I gathered enough confidence and walked closer to him. I trailed his abs with my fingers and he tensed.Then I stood on my toes and pulled his ear downwards towards me then leaned close to it.

"The real question is if you are manly enough to find out will you have the courage to stay?" I whispered in his ear.

××××××××××××××××××××××××
Writer: Hello sweethearts,

How are y'all doing? I hope you are enjoying the story.

Bex: Can someone explain why I'm not in this chapter?? Writer??

Writer: *rolls eyes* your drama was not needed in this chapter.*Bex gasps and dramatically walks out*

Alex: Hey! That's my bestie you're talking to!

Eli: Alex! She wasn't talking to me

Alex: *rolls eyes* I was talking about Bex you idiot.

Eli: You are passing up an opportunity of a lifetime you know?

Alex: *rolls eyes* you're so cocky!

Eli : *winks with his left eye since his right eye is still healing from the sneaker attack*

Nicholas: Well-done there writer! This chapter shows how hot I am *winks at the writer*

Writer: *blushes deeply* oh! It was nothing.

Nicholas: *to the writer* Wanna get out of here? Just you and me?

Writer:*says dramatically* Yes Nick!! Take me with you! I'll go anywhere with you!

Nicholas:* gives the writer a weird look* On second thought, we can just stay here.

Writer:But I want you...

Nicholas: okay this is getting weird so I'm out *disappears*

Elijah: Where are Zoey and Edward anyway?

Alex: *gushes*They've probably gone to make babies

Elijah: *smirks* let's go make ours

Alex: *gags* Ugh.. you're so gross.*walks out*

Elijah : *flashes the audience a grin* Don't forget to vote-

Writer: *shoves Elijah out of the stage and smiles triumphantly* Don't forget to vote, comment and follow. Enjoy.

19/6/2020