It has been a few days since I stopped working at the gym and had my fight with Travis.

I was so mad and hurt, I just didn't want to see him ever again. Quitting seemed like a great idea at the moment, but now that I'm realising I needed the money, karma is paying me a well-earned visit.

There is a soft knock on my bedroom door.

"Alex," A soft voice says through the door. "Alex, we need to talk, can you let me in?"

I sigh, "The door is open," I tell Taylor. 

I watch her as she opens the door and sits facing me on the bed. 

"We need to talk," she says again.

"It's about the rent, isn't it?" I ask, knowing what the answer will be.

Taylor nods her head, her eyes are a little watery. "Alexa, honestly, I don't want to do this, but if you can't pay your part of the rent, I need to find another roommate. I can't afford it on my own and otherwise I'll get kicked out."

I look at Taylor in shock, I did not expect that. 

"What?" I ask, hoping I heard it wrong, "Are you saying you want me to leave?"

"No, no! I don't want you to leave, of course not. But if you can't pay the rent, you do need to leave, I'm sorry." A single tear slips down her cheek, but I get mad at her anyway.

"You're kicking me out?" I say, louder and with a harsher tone than my previous question.

Taylor flinches from my tone, "I'm sor-"

"Sorry MY ASS!" I yell, I get off the bed and take a bag and a suitcase.

"You want me to leave? FINE! I'll leave!" I yell at her, while walking around my room, putting everything I own in my bag or suitcase. "I thought you would at least help me find something before kicking me out, I thought that is what FRIENDS do for each other! WELL GUESS WHAT? I WAS WRONG ABOUT THAT!" 

I finish with all my bathroom supplies and walk to the kitchen, dragging my suitcase behind me. I open the cabinets and put some food and water in my bag.

I walk towards the hallway and open the door, I turn around and I see Taylor standing there, sobbing, while tears stream down her face.

"Don't bother following me," I say harshly, before walking out the door and making my way to my car.

"NOOO, ALEXA! ALEXA! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE LIKE THIS!" I hear Taylor scream after me, a tear escapes my eyes as I hear the pain in her voice. Even though I want to turn around and hug her and never let go, I can't. This entire place is wrong, I need to leave. ASAP!

* * *

I move my hand through my sticky hair.

I really need a shower, I have been living in my car on the road for about three days. The first two days, I have been driving, without a destination, just getting away from everything. I know it's cowardice, running away from all my problems. But my problems did push me away first, so yeah, I think I'm allowed to run.

I've been living on the money I still had in my bank account. I didn't sleep in hotels, because I thought it was a waste of my money, but now I'm starting to think that a shower won't be such a bad idea.

I decide to drive a little further over the highway, I will then get off the highway and drive into a town, looking for a motel and with a little bit  of luck, I'll be able to find a job for a few days, or maybe longer.

I keep singing along to my music, of course it's rock music. 

"Your love is like BAD MEDICINE, bad medicine is what I need oooohooo!" I sing along to the music, the cars that pass me by throw a weird glance at my car, but I don't care.

I see the next exit coming up, so I start driving towards it. I take it and drive into a small looking town. It seems like a nice place, maybe I'll stay here for a while.

As I drive around looking for a motel, I think I got into the wrong part of the town, the streets were dirty and a lot of hooded figures. However, I do see a motel, even though I know it's a bad idea, I park in front of the motel and take my most valuable stuff with me.

I walk inside the motel and look around, it looks dirty and old, hopefully the bathroom is cleaner than I am.

"Well hello there," A creepy dude says from my left, coming really close to me.

I smile politely and quickly walk towards the service desk, where a bored girl sits, reading a magazine.

"Uhem," I clear my throat, hoping to get her attention, which I do.

"What?" She asks bored.

"Um, I was wondering how much a room for one night is?" I ask, slightly nervous, because the creepy dude is keeping his eyes on me from the corner.

"50 dollars, pay in cash," The girl says.

"Okay, then one night please," I say, while handing her the money. She gives me a key, I thank her and walk towards the exit again, wanting to get my stuff from my car.

As I walk outside and am about to open my car, I feel a hand grip my wrist and another wraps over my mouth, keeping me from screaming. I get dragged into the dark alley next to the motel.

"So, we meet again, this time we're going to do it a little different." The creepy dude from a few minutes ago says.

He leans in to kiss me, when he gets stopped by a dark and deep voice.

"LEO, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING TO THAT POOR GIRL!" I hear someone booming through the dark alley.

The creepy dude, Leo, is ripped away from me. A hooded figure appears in front of me and he sticks out his hand for me to shake, I hesitate to grab it and he notices.

He raises his hand and takes off his hood, I now see his features. He isn't handsome, but he is okay. He does look friendly, which is something around here I guess.

"Hey, I'm Mason, come with me, you'll be safe." He says while sticking out his hand again. This time I grab his and give it a shake.

"I'm Alexa, nice meeting you and thank you for helping me just now." 

"Sure, no problem." Mason says, nodding his head.

Mason takes in my appearance and shakes his head a little. 

"You look like a slut who just got gangbanged, what the fuck happened to you?" He asks, rather rudely.

"I've been living in my car for a little more than three days," I admit honestly.

"Seriously?" Mason says surprised. "Well, this motel is shit, I've heard stories about girls getting fucked while they sleep, you're safer with me."

My eyes widen in fear, "Wh- What?"

"You heard me, the owner rapes girls or gets paid to let someone else rape the girls, you're better off with me. I think I can even land you a job."

I think it over, I know I should just get in my car and start driving again, but something about the prospect of having a job is very alluring. 

"Fine, I'll come with you, under two conditions!" I tell him.

"Okay," Mason says, gesturing to tell me to say my conditions.

"One," I hold up one finger, "No touching me, I'm completely off limits!" 

Mason's face falls a little, he clearly had a plan for tonight. "Fine," He grumbles.

"Two," I hold up another finger, "I get to take a shower as soon as we get to your place."

Mason laughs at this, "I would have forced you into the shower if you wouldn't do that. I don't want my entire apartment smelling like slut."

"I just came up with another condition; no more calling me 'slut'. I'm not, okay!" I say pointly.

Mason nods his head, while chuckling and tells me to follow him.

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TO BE CONTINUED!