Do I need to put a tw for mean parents? Idk, but there's a mean dad in this chapter, it's Lams, of course there is.

(Alex P.O.V)

Honestly, I'm lost. But I'm not ready to ask for directions, so I'm trying to use logic to get to Peggy's house.

If the beach is east, then the house will be too.

It's not working well for me. Guess I'll ask for directions, I know the adresse, it was the first thing I memorized when I got here.

Jasmine street, house 58

I went up to the first person who seemed friendly.

"Excuse me?" I called for her attention and she turned around and looked at me.

"I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of Jasmine street?" I asked.

"Of course, go up two blocks then turn left, you should see a sign." She instructed.

"Thank you."

I followed her instructions, up two blocks, then left and, as predicted, there was a lavender blue sign that indicated I'd reached the right street, from here, I just needed to count. Or recognize her house. It was pretty easy to spot, with the large garden and yellow walls. I walked up to it and knocked, tapping my foot as I waited for someone to open the door. The second the door was opened, I felt arms wrap around me in a tight hug. I pulled back and looked at Theo standing in front of me.

"Hi..?" I heard the question in my voice.

"Alex you've been gone for so long where were you?!" She fretted.

"I went to the beach, then the park." I informed her, doubting I took that long.

"Alex, when did you leave?"

"6:15 or something like that, why?"

"It's 10." She replied blankly.

"Did you only just wake up?"

"No!" Theo was tugging on her hair. "I woke up at 6:30 and you were gone!"

"You wake up at 6:30 over the vacation, and yet just can't make it to class on time?"

"Alex, that's not the point."

"Yeah. Right, sorry. I'm just saying." I shrugged. "I'm back now, and I'm intact. Now can I have breakfast? I'm hungry."

"Eliza arrived and had a heart attack when we said you weren't here." Theo told me.

"Wait, literally?" I paused, Eliza had already had a heart attack, it had freaked everyone out.

"No, but she was clearly getting there."

"Oh god, I'm sorry."

Theo shook her head, and led me inside the house.

"Alex is here!" She yelled to the house.

I heard footsteps and then Eliza pulled me into a hug, clutching me firmly, as if she was afraid I'd vanish. Then Angie tugged her sister off and leered over me. I was doomed.

"Where the hell were you?" She snarled.

"I went to the beach then the park, I didn't know it would take so long." I put up my hands defensively.

"You didn't? You expect me to believe that? One does not sit outside for four hours and not notice!"

"I clearly can."

"How about a night? Do you want to spend a night outside? Cause I'd gladly oblige."

(Flashback time y'all)
I was pressed against the door, my dad yelling at me, one hand on my collar.

"You want to lie to me?" He yelled. "You can't just sit outside for two hours boy, you must have gone somewhere or seen someone!"

"I swear I didn't, I like being outside, I didn't notice time slip by." I tried to escape his grasp, but he held me tight.

"You want to spend tonight outside boy? Would you notice that? I'd gladly throw you out."

"N-no." I noticed my brother James inching forwards.

"No? Out! You can spend tonight outside, if you love it so much!" He threw the door open and pushed me outside, locking it behind me.

I held my arms to my sides and shivered, trying to warm up. I ran down the street towards the park where I could curl up in my tree and hopefully get some sleep. It was cold this winter, I hoped the tree would provide warmth. It didn't.

I fell into an uneasy sleep, praying my brother was ok. This wasn't the first time I got sent out, and every time I came back, James had gotten himself beaten  up.
(It's over, I'll pass the mix back to present-time Alex)

"I-I... no, p-please." I stuttered, shaking my head frantically.

"Angie, calm down, it's fine." Eliza pulled her sister back, eyes worried. "I was just worried for him, we all were."

Angelica shot Eliza a look, before resigning and walking off to the kitchen. I took a deep breath, ridding myself of memories of time spent sleeping in a tree. I was able to sleep outside, I just didn't really care for it.

"So, I made it in one piece, I'm sorry the first time I see you after so long is like this, but it's good to see your face." Eliza wipes her hands on her pale blue skirt, smiling at me.

"If I'd known you'd be coming today I would have stayed and waited." I smiled back at my friend. "So who is the mysterious person you've dragged from up in Washington?"

Eliza nodded and vanished for a second, before coming back pulling someone with her. I recognized him immediately.

"James?"

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a / n: ooo, cliffhanger! I wonder who it is.