Aaron's Point of View

"Wait she what?" I asked looking out the window, it was downpouring, perhaps a storm was on the rise.

"She is leaving I think," Benny said through the phone. "I don't know I have a really bad feeling about this dude. She gave me the necklace back. Aaron you really have to go talk to her before it's too late."

"Did she say where she was going?" I frantically asked Benny as I searched the room for my car keys.

"No. She came in a black car with some guy. It's really dark and stormy out I couldn't make out who he was. She had a duffle bag slung around her shoulder," Benny explained.

"Fuck, fuck," I muttered as I patted down pant's pockets for my keys.

"Is this about last night?" Asked Benny.

"Probably," I said. "But not just that. She's lost so much recently. I think it was me leaving her alone that pushed her off the edge."

"Fuck," Benny said. "I'm gonna get in my car and drive around. Maybe try and find that car. They headed East on Sunset."

"Alright," I nodded my head as I found my keys in a drawer next to my mom's hospital bed. "I'm gonna head towards her apartment. Check the bus stations or a train station."

"I'll keep you updated," Benny said.

"Talk to you later," I said as I pulled the phone away from my ear and hung up.

I walked over to my mom who still lied asleep in the hospital bed, "I love you mom." I kissed her forehead then rushed out of the room.

I was practically running through the hospital trying to get outside the building as quick as possible.

"Sorry," I apologized to someone as I moved past them and bumped into their side.

I ditched the elevator and ran down the stairs. Three flights until I reached the ground floor.

I pulled my keys out of my pocket and remotely unlocked then started my car. I walked over to my Prius and swung the door open. I sat down and instantly pulled out of the parking spot and drove out of the parking lot.

I turned on my windshield wipers. It was dark and rainy and I could barely see the road in front of me. Even with my brights on.

"Fuck!" I shouted as the car swerved and I lost control for a split second. I swerved out of the way of the car in front of me. They honked loudly at me. "Fuck driving in the rain. Fuck." I banged my hand against my steering wheel.

I kept driving. I couldn't slow down as my adrenaline was pumping and I felt as though I was going to explode. I don't know how I'd handle being alone without Alexa. The thought of it tore me apart.

Soon enough, I pulled into the driveway of the house. I rushed out my car, leaving it running and ran down the stairs to the basement apartment.

"Alexa!" I shouted as I knocked on the door. "Alexa! Open the door!"

All the lights in the house were off. I cupped my face to the window. The apartment seemed still and empty.

"Fuck," I cried as I sat on the ground.

I put my head in my hands and starting crying. I sat with my back against the front door.

"I'm so fucked," I muttered to myself. "Why? Why is this happening?"

My phone started to buzz in my pocket and I grabbed it out of my wet pocket.

"Benny she's not here," I sniffled.

"I saw the car leaving the train station. I'm following it right now," Benny said.

"Where are you?" I frantically asked as I stood up and rushed to my car.

"Prescott Parkway. I'm nearing the Prescott shopping center. The one with that diner," Benny said.

"I'm right around the corner," I said. "Her apartment is down the block from the diner."

"The car is turning into the diner," Benny explained.

"Shit I'm on my way," I said rushing to the diner.

I drove to the diner. I'm pretty sure I even ran a few red lights along the way.

I pulled into the driveway to see Benny yelling at some guy straight in his face while he held his collar. It must've been the guy driving the car.

"Where is she?!" Benny yelled. "How could you drive a young girl to a fucking train station and let her leave?!"

"Jesus Christ Benny," I said pulling him off the guy. "Wait, you're Alexa's boss. The one that gave her the apartment."

"You're her boyfriend, right?" Asked the guy. "Or were."

"Where the fuck was she heading to?" Asked Benny angrily. "She's a good kid and you got her wrapped up in some shit now."

"She wanted to leave," The man yelled back at Benny. "You can't change a teenager's mind. You have to let them make their mistakes. This is one of her's. She'll be back when she realizes she made a mistake."

"You realize you could get in trouble for this. Right?" I said.

"Her parents would be the first ones in trouble for neglecting her," He scoffed. "Funny how things were going perfectly fine for Alexa before you entered her life."

"I didn't cause her father's affair!" I exclaimed.

"You could've been good for her, done good for her," He explained. "You added to the stress she had to deal with. You made things worse instead of trying to make things better. Give her the space she deserves."

He turned around and began walking into the diner.

"Jesus Christ," I said. "I fucked up didn't I Benny?"

"You didn't fuck up," Benny grabbed my shoulders and looked me straight into my eyes. "Shit happens Aaron. You've fueled up before. But not this time. Maybe her boss is right, she needs space and time."

"She could be in danger right now," I cried.

Benny pulled me into a tight hug and we stayed hugging the rain, "It's okay Aaron. Let's go home, we can order some takeout if you want."

I nodded my head, "Thanks Benny. I don't deserve you."

*One Week Later*

"Hey Haley," I said as I sat down at the on the couch. "Still nothing?"

"No, she hadn't reached out to any of us except for Hamzah," She said. "He's not really budging. He just keeps saying she's okay and she's going to be okay."

"Did he say anything else?" I asked.

"She's not coming home," Haley said with a sigh.

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

She didn't answer.

"Look at me," I said to her.

She looked up from looking at her hands and nervously fumbling with her fingers.

"I asked what you meant," I said.

"Hamzah said something about her petitioning to get emancipated. It'll probably get passed too. She has money saved up, a place to live, and even a new diner job," Haley explained.

"Why isn't he just telling us where the fuck she is so we could go get her," I sighed.

"Hamzah won't tell us where," Haley said. "Alexa told him she'd never forgive him."

"Goddamnit Hamzah," I sighed. "So is that really it?"

"I think so," Haley said. "I think she'll come home one day. Just not anytime soon."

I took my head out of hands and sighed.

"It's okay Aaron," She said hugging me. "Maybe now just isn't your time."

"I'm so scared for her," I sighed.

"She's smart," Haley said. "I'm sure wherever she is, she's doing just fine."

"I miss her," I said to Haley. "I'm always going to miss her."

"We all are Aaron."

Maybe now isn't our time.