Alex stood face to face with the brunette, who looked as gorgeous as ever. He felt a pang of sadness in his heart, like thorns had wrapped around it and were now sinking in. The one time he tried to escape her, he couldn't. He fucked it up, just like he fucks everything else up. Fucked his family, fucked his relationship, fucked his feelings.

She cleared her throat. "The entire school was freaking out. Your mother called and informed us that you were missing, and the teachers told us to be on the lookout. I offered to try and find you, 'cause you never skip school. This isn't like you. Alexander, are you alright?"

Alex sighed. "I'm fine."

He wanted so badly to cry to her like he always did, but now he couldn't. Not when she was literally the reason he did this. He had to keep his walls up and power through the heartache.

"I'm fine is the most common lie told in the English language." She sighed quietly, looking into his eyes. "We've been friends for years, Alex. You can tell me what's wrong."

Alex shook his head. "Really, I'm okay. I just needed a break. Isn't that what you wanted for me anyway?"

Eliza's eyes widened as she came to a realization. It was like a lightbulb flickered on above her head as she came to her conclusion. "This is about last night, isn't it?"

Alex froze, his eyes darting around the room. "I... I have someone waiting for me in the car, Liz. I need to go."

"Oh, Alex! You said it was only a small crush. I'm so sorry! I didn't realize-"

Alex rolled his eyes, pushing past her and slamming the candy on the counter. He handed the cashier the money, who gave him his change quickly, seeing how desperate he was to leave. He took the food and left, bolting back to John's car. Actually, he wasn't 100% sure it was John's. Stealing a car wouldn't be the worst thing he'd ever done.

"Woah, what's got you fuming?" John asked, opening the bag of skittles and dumping a few into his hand. He studied Alex's face carefully. "They didn't have your favourite snack?" He guessed.

"You're an asshole, John," Alex spat, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. "Sure! I'm dramatic, but I'm not that dramatic. My heart is literally being stabbed over and over again and you have the fucking audacity-"

"I know what heartbreak feels like," John reminded him. "That's why I'm on the run. Just don't be stupid like me, Lexi. You're still a teenager. I know it hurts, but you'll get over it soon."

Alex had streams running down his face by now. John pulled him onto his lap, wrapping his arms around him. The shorter boy cried into his shoulder, letting out choked sobs.

"Shh," John whispered soothingly as he rubbed his back. "It's okay. You're okay. It isn't your fault she won't date you. Maybe she's just scared. Maybe she thinks you're too good for her. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case."

Alex found it really hard to believe that John had ever murdered anyone. Two people, for that matter. John was so sweet, which made Alex question why anybody would ever leave him. Maybe Francis and Martha were just genuine assholes.

Once Alex had calmed down a little, he crawled back over to his seat and buckled himself in. He sighed softly, watching as John turned the key and started the car.

"Where are we going?" Alexander wondered, trying to identify the direction John was headed. He wasn't familiar with the downtown area, so it wasn't much use.

"I dunno," the taller boy smiled softly. "That's what's fun."

Alex rolled his eyes, a tiny smile toying on his lips. "Just remember I gotta go back home eventually. Don't flee the state with me in your car."

"My car?" John smirked, a sparkle of mischief in his eyes.

Alex flicked his arm. "You're evil."

The next ten minutes of their drive was silent, aside from the radio playing music quietly. It wasn't awkward, though. Alex found himself oddly comfortable in a murderer's company. He trusted that John wouldn't hurt him, mostly because didn't have a reason to.

"So," John broke the silence, "my father has this cabin a few miles into the woods, and that might sound kind of sus, but I think we'd be safe there."

"Is it where you hid their bodies?"

"Nah," John shook his head, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "I burned those to a crisp."

Alex blinked. "That's so awful, John."

"Just like this entire situation, and yet here you are," he booped Alex's nose. "Besides, what answer were you expecting? It was either 'yes, I hid them where we'll be staying for the next few days' or no, and then I either tell you or let it be."

Alex groaned, suddenly feeling somewhat disgusted. "You're a smartass."

"You're a drama queen," John retorted.

"You killed your exes."

"You're in a car with a murderer instead of at school, just so you don't see your crush."

"It didn't work," Alex muttered, staring out the window. "I saw her anyway."

"Is that why you were crying earlier?" John's tone softened. "You poor thing. I didn't realize.. I'm sorry, Alex."

Alex looked down, biting his lip as tears collected in his eyes again. He tried his hardest to hold back, not wanting to seem like a crybaby in front of John. His apology was enough to set him off, which was weird since the only apology he wanted was Elizabeth's. Even then, he wanted more than an apology. He wanted her to wrap his arms around him and explain the only reason she turned him down was because she was scared. He wanted her love.

"Lexi-pie?" John pulled into a tiny driveway that lead into the forest. "Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"

Alex shook his head, wiping his eyes. "Fuck, John! I love literally everything about that girl. I just don't get why she doesn't feel the same way back! I'm a good person, right?"

John nodded quickly. "Of course. Like I said, she's probably just afraid of love. Don't take it personally. I'm sure a lot of people would kill to date you."

Alex pulled his knees up to his chest, hiding his face in his legs. He let out a long wail, letting tears soak into the same jeans he wore yesterday.

John decided to let him have a moment, instead focusing on driving. He knew the way through the trails his father made many years ago by heart. He and his brothers had been brought back there countless times, given a gun, and were told to shoot a target. All because John decided to wear a pink hoodie one time and his brothers said it looked good on him. His father was not having that.

Once they got back to the cabin, John realized Alex had fallen asleep. He smiled softly, stroking his cheek. Alexander looked too cute when he wasn't fretting over every possible outcome.

John stepped out of the car, opened Alex's door, and scooped him up. He carried the small boy up the walkway to the wooden building, nudging open the door, and setting him down on the couch. He covered him with a furry blanket, making sure it was enough to keep him warm.

Once John was sure that Alex was settled, he went to the cupboards to check what food was in there. He only found perishable food items, and a few cheap bottles of water. Makes sense. He was certain his father was always concerned about the poor people taking his food.

John sighed, looking back at Alex. He couldn't help but feel his heart glow. The boy reminded him of Martha in so many ways. Though John hadn't had the chance to get to know everything about Alex yet, he could just tell. He had the same fiery personality as her, and dear god, did he love it.

He closed the cupboards, heading outside. He felt a strong sense of nostalgia being here, even if it wasn't under the best conditions. John noticed names were scratched into the door frame, making him smile slightly. Martha, Henry Jr, James, Mary, and John. He could vividly remember his sisters yelling at him for trying to climb onto the roof of the cabin, or for getting James stuck on top of a rock.

"Your couch is really uncomfortable." Alex suddenly appeared in the doorway, the dark circles under his eyes becoming more prominent. "Seriously."

John rolled his eyes. "It isn't my fault my father cheaped out on this place. I haven't even been here since I was thirteen."

"And how long ago is that?" He asked, leaning against the railing.

"About six years," John guessed with a shrug. "I just turned nineteen, if that's what you're trying to figure out."

Alex let out a breathy laugh. "Caught me."

John examined his face. He looked like a tiny raccoon, with messy hair and dark eyes. "Alex, when's the last time you actually slept?"

"God, Friday, maybe? All day Saturday I was panicking over asking Eliza out, on Sunday I did it, then I ran and met you, didn't sleep, and now it's Monday. So, yeah. A few days."

"Dear god," John mumbled under his breath. "After I make supper you're going right to bed."

"Ew. You aren't my mother," Alex stuck his tongue out. "I go to bed when I want to."

John rolled his eyes, heading back into the cabin. Alex followed after him, sitting down at the log table. He drummed his fingers against the wood, tapping his foot. He tried to fight off the yawn that was building up, but failed. That earned him a cocky smirk from John as he searched the cupboards for something to make.

"Wouldn't it all be expired?" Alex wondered out loud. "It's been there forever."

John shook his head. "My dad keeps it regularly updated. He's convinced the communists will take over and steal his food."

Alex snorted. "I have your dad pictured in my head. Tall with straight hair combed to the side, and definitely conservative."

John snickered. "Not quite, but close."

He went back to preparing supper, taking a can of chicken noodle soup and pouring it into a pot with boiling water. After he'd finished cooking, he poured himself and Alex a bowl and sat down across from him.

"Thanks," Alex smiled softly, blowing on the soup. "For everything, really. You made me forget about Eliza for a while, so, thanks.."

"Of course," John purred. "Thanks for coming with me and keeping me occupied. This would be awfully boring without you."

"Yeah, I'm done being sappy."

John chuckled. "Me too, Lexi."

They finished their soup in silence, Alex burning his tongue a few times due to being impatient. Every time Alex did anything, John realized that he was more and more like Martha Manning.

And how he'd love a second chance.