Chapter Eleven: Make Outs, Run Away's and Casts.

My eyes darted back and forth from Holly and Ben who were silently moving away from each other, acting like I didn’t just walk into them making out in my room. "What on earth is going on?" I wanted to scream but it only came out as a whisper.

Ben let out a cough trying to fill the awkwardness that was lingering in my room. I looked over at Holly whose eyes were trained on the floor shamefully while her cheeks were flushed pink. Ben on the other hand also had flushed cheeks and his eyes were darting everywhere in the room refusing to meet mine.

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. They were no words to describe what I was feeling at the moment.

"I did not just walk into my room and see my two best friends making out with each other." I whispered finally voicing my thoughts.

"It’s not what it looks like." I heard Holly whisper.

I snorted in disbelief, "Don't give me that crap Holly." I hissed at her, "First you accuse me of being a slut when really you are the slut in this friendship."

Holly's eyes widened as hurt came across her face, seconds later she burst into tears. I felt my stomach drop due to knowing that I was the cause of my best friend crying before my very eyes. I shook my head trying to process everything, drawing my attention to Ben who had his face buried in his hands. "You have no right to talk to Holly or myself like that, Alice." I heard him whisper.

"Excuse me? What do you mean I have no right if you saw me and Gavin making out like that what would you do?" I waited for a response but all I got was a blank and defeated look. "Exactly,” I said in triumph.

I looked back over at Holly, who seemed to be crying her eyes out. Every second that I stared at her it took all my will power not to go and console her and stop her from crying. I felt a pair of eyes on me as I looked back at Ben who was watching me with a blank expression.

"I think it would be best for you two if you just leave," I whispered closing my eyes and pointing to the door.

I heard Ben get up from my bed and heard his footsteps walk past me as he escorted a sobbing Holly and himself out of the room.

I heard the door shut as I finally opened my eyes. My vision started to get glassy due to the tears I was holding back.  

"Don't cry," I repeated to myself over and over. "You've cried enough for a day."

I slowly sank to the floor bursting into tears as I cried. What felt like hours later I finally had the strength to get up and lay down onto my bed, trying to sleep ignoring the fact the I had my two former best friends make out on this very bed not hours ago.

"It was for the best." I told myself letting sleep overcome the best of me.

*

"Alice?" I heard someone say. 

I yawned, burying my face back into my pillow. I heard the same person’s throat clear as I lifted my head as my eyes darted for the source of the voice that woke me up. My eyes landed to my mother who was tapping her feet impatiently. 

"Do you know what time it is?" My mother questioned.

"Morning." I drawled.

"No." She answered back no trace of amusement on her face. "It's eight o'clock," I groaned in return. “Shall I repeat myself Alice? It is eight o’clock on a Monday morning.”

My eyes widened as my head snapped over to my alarm clock resting on the side table beside me. “Why didn’t you wake me?” I questioned frantically.

In return my mother rolled her eyes. “You’re not going to school,” She stated. “And anyways you refused to get out of bed all weekend.”

Well that part was true, all weekend I’ve been in bed refusing to get out. Mom and dad were out of town for the weekend but it didn’t surprise me that she knew, mom knows everything. Melinda stopped by my room to see if I needed anything but I was too busy grieving in guilt to what I said to my best friends to eat, talk and do almost about anything that involved leaving my bed.

“Have you been crying?” My mother asked curiously snapping me out of my thoughts.

"No," I said a little too quickly. 

My mother’s face softened, "Honey, what happened?"

I shook my head drawing my attention elsewhere. "I wasn't crying," I insisted.

She sighed coming over and sitting next to me. "Alice, I know I haven't been the best mother-“ I let out a  scoff. My mother’s eyes quickly narrowed to slits as she carried on not before glaring. “However I do know when my own daughter has been crying. Plus your eyes are red and puffy so that was a big giveaway."

I sighed in defeat, "Okay I have been crying but when I am ready to open up and talk to someone I will." I told her softly.

She nodded thankfully not pushing the subject any further. "Okay I came in here for a reason," She said snapping her fingers as if it would help her remember. "Yes now I remember, since you refused to come out of bed all weekend and the day you missed the Valentine’s Day ball and dinner you are required to attend the dinner that is happening tonight.”

I opened up my mouth to protest but my mother raised up her hand to stop me. “There is no way you are getting out of this one and anyways it would be good for you to get some fresh air it smells like something died in here.” She said holding her nose for emphasis.

“There’s no way I am getting out of this? Are you sure?” I asked.

“You’ll get out of this once pigs start to fly. Ever since you started school you hadn’t been fulfilling your duties-“

I let out a snort at the word duties. Yes I was chuckling for no reason but I could sometimes be a little immature.

My mother cleared her throat. “As I was saying, you haven’t been doing your job so you have ten minutes exact to take a shower and put on fresh clean appropriate clothes for breakfast.”

I let out a groan burying my head into my pillow. “Can this week get any worse?” I mumbled into my pillow hearing the door close, assuming my mother has left.

I sighed swinging my legs off my bed and trudging into my bathroom. Once I got into the bathroom I quickly stripped out of my clothes and hopped into the shower. I then proceeded to wash my hair with my favorite peach soap shampoo. After ten minutes I was washed from head to toe. I grabbed my towel that was hanging on the rack and wrapped my naked body.

Five minutes later I was dressed in a white skater skirt, clear tights due to it being a little chilly outside and black blouse; I paired the outfit with a pair blue wedged boots. I then quickly put my hair up in a messy bun and headed downstairs for breakfast.

As I walked down the hall I nodded at the guards who were patrolling the hallways. The nodded back at me and some even mumbled a good morning. Once I reached the breakfast room I took a seat at my usual spot as our cook Marco placed a fresh steaming plate of eggs, toast and tater tots with apple juice on the side. I mumbled thanks and proceeded to eat.

Once I finished my breakfast I noticed something unusual going on. I was eerily quiet on the table, I become aware of how my dad seemed to be glaring at Thomas who stared at his plate of pancakes in shame. While my mom ate her omelet like dad glaring was a normal thing.

“What’s going on?” I spoke breaking the silence.

 “Why don’t you tell Alice what’s going on, Thomas.”  My dad spoke answering my question without even looking at me.

I turned to Thomas and motioned for him to speak. “I asked dad what I told you, how I wanted to go to school.” He muttered looking down at his plate.

“So what is the problem because I clearly do not see it.” I answered leaning back into my chair crossing my arms over my chest.

“The problem is that your brother wants to go to school, why would he want that when he can learn easily at home. It’s not safe out there.” My dad said in his business like tone.

“Why are you talking like outside is a world of catastrophe!” I asked him, jumping out of my chair causing it to go down with a loud boom. “You’re treating us like babies, what are you so afraid of?”

“You don’t understand what is out there,” He said in a strict tone.

“And you do?” I retorted. “How do you expect us to do things on our own, if you keep doing it for us? How are we supposed to learn on our own?”

“Alice!” My mom said loudly finally intervening, “Don’t talk to your father that way.”

I ignored my mother’s command looking my dad dead in the eye. “You might be the President of the United States but I think you’re forgetting that before that you are also my father. And you were a great one before all of this.” I whispered turning on my heel not before storming out of the breakfast room.

Walking down the hall I ignored all the looks the guards were giving me. Sympathy, remorse, and confusion were all the looks I got before entering my room.

“This weekend keeps getting worse and worse,” I mumbled lying down on my bed looking at my ceiling.

First Gavin kidnaps me, I rumor goes around I am a slut, my best friend accuses me of being one, I find two the most important people in my life making out on this very bed and now I get in a fight with my own father.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door, it opens to reveal Thomas. “Hey,” He muttered walking in and closing the door behind him. “I just wanted to say thanks for you know, standing up for me and all.” He said shifting his balance to each foot.

I smiled, “Thanks, I am glad someone thinks I am not a total monster.”

“I don’t think you’re a monster.” Thomas said. “But I do think you’re annoying, weird, stupid, ugly, fat, did I mention weird?” He said tapping his finger on his chin as if he was thinking.

“Ha-ha Thomas you’re hilarious.” I drawled sarcastically, “So what are you doing here?”

“Oh, I got you this.” He said handing me a bag.

“What am I supposed to do with this bag?”

“Run away.”

“Really?” I asked him dead serious.

“Yes. I am not stupid maybe you are but I am not. Even I can tell you upset so why don’t you go to the park like old times.” He said smiling slightly at me. “Get your mind off things.”

“Yeah those were good times,” I said recalling the memory when I was eight and I pushed Thomas off the slide, I was an abusive eight year old. “I would love to Thomas but mum would freak out, I already skipped two dinners I can’t afford another.”

“Alice, don’t make me regret this, just go I will cover for you okay?” He said brushing his bangs out of his face, so he could see more clearly.

“Thanks.”

“No problem, but remember this is one time thing. Don’t expect me to be this kind all the time.” He said waving to me not before closing the door. I chuckled, that is the Thomas I know and love.

“It looks like I am going to the park.” I mumbled staring at the bag pack, Thomas had given me hiking it up on my shoulder and exiting the bedroom.

*

I arrived at the park by noon. I got Ricky to drop me off, he was a little reluctant at first but once I convinced him that he wasn’t going to get fired he eventually caved and drove me. We argued the ride to the park about how he should stay since Ben wasn’t here. I disagreed until we decided to let fate choose whether he could stay or not, let’s just say that Ricky is a sore loser when it comes to rock paper scissors. 

I walked towards an empty bench and sat down; grabbing the bag that Thomas had given me opening it up to reveal the contents of food that he had packed. I grabbed a grilled cheese sandwich and apple juice, I ate watching the beautiful scenery in front of me.

I watched as how parents swung their children on the swings, dog owners playing with their dogs and couples holding hands staring lovingly into each other’s eyes.

I smiled as I watched an old couple walk past me; they were holding each other’s hands but seemed to be bickering with each other. I chuckled as I saw the old woman slap the back of the man’s head, I think I understood where the term ‘you fight like an old married couple’ cause those two were literally fighting like an old married couple.

“Kingston!” My thoughts were interrupted when I heard someone scream as I saw a dog fast approaching me. It stopped right in front of me whiffing me and licking my sandwich in my hand.

I chuckled as I gave the dog the rest of my sandwich. “It looks like I am done,” I said as the dog finished eating the last bit of my sandwich. I patted the dog’s head as I saw two figures from the corner of my eye approaching me.

“Ali?”

My head whipped to the source of the voice. Standing in front of me masking a blank look was Gavin, behind him was a little boy who seemed to be around the age of four. “Yes,” I answered back hesitantly. The dog whose leash I was currently holding started barking running to Gavin. “I guess this is your dog,” I said handing him the leash.

“Yeah, thanks.” Gavin muttered grabbing the leash from me.

“My dog.” The little boy spoke for the first time.

I smiled looking down at him I nodded. “Yes that is your dog,” I loved pets but we weren’t allowed any animals in the Whitehouse, due to not actually being our home only for the next four years. 

He nodded coming from behind Gavin’s legs and to me. “My name is Garrett! It’s spelt with two R’s and two T’s! And I am four years old!” He said giggling holding up four fingers. His other arm looked to be wrapped in a cast, it was a blue and it only had one signature it was Gavin’s name sprawled in messy handwriting.

I smiled looking back at the boy. “My name is Ali and I am seventeen years old.” I told him honestly. I looked back at his arm and spoke, “What happened to your arm?”  

“My daddy pushed me down the stairs.” He said looking down at his feet.

My eyes widened as I looked at Gavin, who had a darkened look on his face. I was about to question him when I felt something nudge my leg I looked down to see the dog, Kingston I believe was his name snuggle in between my legs. “You have a real cute dog,” I said to the Garrett scratching behind his ears.

“Thanks! Gavy was mad because I let Kingston’s leash go, but I swear it was an accident!” The little boy spoke pouting.

“Well we all make mistakes, right?” I asked the little boy.

“We all make mistakes.” I heard Gavin speak he looked lost in thought. Gavin must’ve noticed me staring because he grabbed Garrett’s hand. “We’ve got somewhere to be.” He then started trudging away dragging a waving Garrett behind him.

“Bye!” I heard Garrett shout not before turning back around with his brother. I waved back not before saying bye, I then proceeded to pack my bag and head home. I pulled out my phone to text Ricky to pick me up where he dropped me.

As I was waiting for Ricky to show up I wondered what Garrett had said to me. How his dad pushed him down the stairs? And how Gavin’s face darkened something told me that Gavin was hiding something and I was itching to find out.

*****

Hello Lovelies,

Oh My God! This is the longest I haven’t updated and I swear this is never going to happen again! Let’s hope not! I know last chapter I left you all with a major cliffhanger and I apologize, so don’t shoot! AND OH MY GOD OVER 300 VOTES AND OVER 100 COMMENTS ON THE LAST CHAPTER? Can we do it again? That honestly made my day! A lot has happened and I won’t bore you with the details but I am back now, so hi! ALSO I FINALLY MADE IT TO 100K READS SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! :) IT MEANS THE ABSOLUTE WORLD! 

This is kind of where the book really introduces Gavin and all and everything between Holly and Ben and all that drama will be back next chapter! Also with the dinner so stay tuned it was a filler chapter!

This is dedicated to @XOGRACEOX cause of the wonderful cover on the side, she made and I will be taking a vote in which one you guys like better, so comment! I will probably go for the new one so thank you Grace!

Shout out to @Charliethefreak for making a banner and I will upload it in the next chapter! :) Also any covers/banners made for this book can be sent to me! Just copy and paste the link to me and I will show it, in the next chapter.

And to win a DEDICATION! Guess what award I won in awards night in which subject, the first one to guess correctly the grade and subject will win a dedication and a shout out to their book! So get on it people!

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xoxo_mysteriousgirl