"People are opportunities. The gift is in the interaction and the connection with another person, whether it lasts forever or not."

― Colleen Seifert.

Irene's POV.

Waking up, I realize I've fallen asleep on Reese's shoulder but his head is resting on mine to even move. Wow, I managed to sleep for six hours though we're cramped up the car and slept without a nightmare. A blush creeps up my cheek as Reese's hot breath is hitting my neck, damn Irene stop behaving like a teenager!

He's been really nice to me but I don't think I'm still at a point where I can trust him. Trust issues, baby. Also for all I know, he thought I was running away from a good person and for all I know, he probably still thinks women always ditch men. That's exactly what he thought in the beginning so hopefully, he still doesn't think that because I just started liking him as a friend.

"Oh... I'm sorry," Reese groans apologizing as he finally wakes up, realizing that he fell asleep on me. I smile getting back up and removing the blanket off my body, "Good morning Reese,"

I find him smiling at me while resting his head back on the seat, "Good morning," checking the time, I realize it's already 8 o'clock. Damn, but the sky didn't look like it, it's just gloomy and ready to rain again, "We'll have to start before it rains again, hopefully, we can drive for more than three hours today at least,"

Nodding in acknowledgment, I get off the car to stretch myself, "I'll be right back. I need to fresh up before we hit the road again," I let him know, grabbing stuff from my backpack.

The store is open and well, I guess we can at least grab something instantly for breakfast before we hit the road again. I walk past the store and walk into the empty washroom. My reflection in my mirrors makes me want to throw up, I looked like shit with my eyes swollen slightly because of crying and my lips look all dry from the lack of hydration. But despite everything, it reminded me more of Alex. The reason behind my endless tears and the reason I'm having to trust a guy I met two days ago to get me to L.A but now I'm not even sure if I have a place to stay once I get there.

Reese seems like an amazing person, I like him but my fucked up trust issues are running my thoughts. I did this to myself before when I fooled myself that Alex loved me, I couldn't let my emotions drive me again so I guess having trust issues is better than blind belief.

Closing my eyes, I think about the series of events that took place yesterday and couldn't help the smile making its way to my lips. As much as I hate to admit it, Reese made me happy.

~•~•~•

"Jerk!" I'm pissed off with Reese now, how the hell did he manage to say something like 'I'd love sleeping with you'?!

"I was just kidding!" I roll my eyes at him before huffing and crossing my arms over my chest still mad at him. Was I mad at him? Honestly, no. I found it funny.

"Alright, I'm sorry now get back to playing the music you like," he apologizes with a guilty smile making me finally crack up, "I totally got you!"

He gives me a surprised look before shaking his head with a heartwarming smile. Heartwarming? Irene? What the hell is wrong with you?!

"Oh hell no!" Reese whines as it starts pouring again and we've only been driving for an hour and a half now. Sighing I just take another sip of my coke, are these signs that I should go back and save everyone the trouble?

"I guess we've got no real choice but to just halt at the next closest store until the rain dies down a bit," I say looking out the window and think about the worst that could happen right now. Alex finding me and Reese getting into trouble for trying to help me.

"Yeah, we should be finding one in the next five minutes," Reese says quickly glancing at the google maps on his phone before returning his attention to driving.

Honestly, all I could feel was pain and the need to cut myself as I stared out of the window as the rain reflected my emotions. Fear of being dragged back to live the life that I dreaded overpowered anything else I could feel, so much for having a few moments of happiness.

I wanted to scream my heart out but I couldn't, I can't show my weakness to anyone and definitely can't afford being taken advantage of. Unconsciously my fingers trace my thigh through my pants where all the pain was hidden, Alex knew about it but never cared. I should've known better than to let myself believe I was the root of all problems and let him blame me.

What did you expect?

Pretty sure I had no expectations what so ever when I met Alex, so dumb me decided to fall in love with a guy who didn't give a shit about me. I close my eyes trying to get my thoughts in control as I refrain from feeling the need to cut myself after I managed to get through six months without doing it.

Don't fucking get back there, Irene.

"Irene?" Reese's hand grabs my wrist trying to get my attention, my eyes jerk open at his touch as I flinch as a reflex action. That's when I finally realize, we found a place to stop for a while again.

"Sorry, was just lost in thought," I mumble while feeling Reese's intense gaze studying me.

"You know, it doesn't seem like it's going to stop raining any time soon," he sighs letting go of my hand and I let go of the breath I didn't realize I was holding. Though out of reflex, I flinched, his touch was comforting in away. Again, it's probably my head.

"What do we do now?" I ask him finally looking up. Feels like this is how our next couple of days are going to go, with us trying to wail away time because we've literally got nothing to do and the rain doesn't seem like it's going to stop soon. The weather forecast says that especially.

Reese just shrugs shutting the car down while I just stare at the store in front of us, "I guess it's the weather but all I can think of is sleep,"

His answer makes me giggle a little, "Sleep? We woke up like what, two hours ago?" I ask him making him grin as he stretches his long arms as much as he could. That was the smile that made me want to trust him.

"Hey don't blame me, there was no coffee at that store and I need coffee to stay awake especially on rainy days," I roll my eyes smiling again, couldn't complain. I need coffee to keep me active on days like this too.

Apart from making my mood gloomy for a while, the rain makes me want to sketch, something I haven't done in a while though I hold an animation degree. Why? Because that was the only thing close to my heart and Alex hated to see me spending time on anything for myself. Selfish, bastard.

So now, I don't even have a sketchbook of mine or a fucking laptop or anything because I sent all my books to Mia to keep it safe. My laptop is practically scrutinized by Alex so that wasn't safe to use anymore either. Despite all this shit he did, I still stuck around. Stupid, I know.

Before I could realize, I hear Reese's breaths fall into a rhythm as he slowly falls asleep. That was quick, I turn slightly in the seat to face him. Why was I doing this again? I don't know.

He slept like a baby and I'm not even exaggerating. Why did he even come back for me? It's not like he knew me any better than a stranger until I told him about Alex.

Hey Irene, creep alert! Stop staring at the guy!

I mentally slap myself and turn away, playing with charm bracelet on my wrist I distract myself. The bracelet was the only memory I have of my mom and I finally put it on today. The charms contained words that were reminders for me not to forget what is important, I am.

Taking a deep breath, I stare out into the pouring rain before closing my eyes in attempts to shut my overthinking mind.

~•~•~•