(Alys Prov)
I was pacing back and forth, throwing anything my eyes could see. I have been disappointed plenty of times already but this one's different. I wasn't only devastated, I was also hurt and broken.
"Alys..." he stuttered.
I was there, offering him my hand, asking him to run away.
He was standing there, as if what I was asking him was the most outrageous thing he had ever heard. He wasn't moving but he was breathing raggedly, like he was measuring the decision he was about to make.
"Drake?" I said, my hope was slowly fading. He wasn't gonna say yes. A tear fell off my eye as realization hit me. "You aren't coming with me," I stated.
I raised my hand and wiped my tears. Screw my life.
"Alys," he said and then he took a step forward. " running away isn't the solution."
I knew he was trying to be reasonable but I wasn't. I don't care about logical explanations, reasons. There's no point in being reasonable if it doesn't hurt! Why would I bother thinking about other people if the pain comes back to me. It comes back three times worse... and it freaking hurts.
"If you're not coming, just leave me alone, Drake."
"Alys..."
"JUST FUCKING LEAVE ME ALONE!"
He was startled. It was the first time I shouted at him. He can't blame me. every thing was just so screwed up. I can't think straight, my mind was a pool of mess.
I took a deep breath and looked at him. "I'm sorry," I said to him. My Mom was watching us, like she was scared. It was the first time she saw my outburst. I was her jolly child, she had only just seen me get angry. It was all a surprise. "Mom, leave me alone, too."
They did as I asked. They left me alone.
I had been crying for a while, I didn't know. I thought I had run out of tears. It hurt so bad. The pain was so bad...
As I was sitting on the edge of my bed, my cellphone rang.
It was Tripp.
I reached for the phone hurriedly and answered his call. "H-hello?" My voice was shaky from all the crying and I didn't do anything to hide it. I was at my lowest state and I needed him the most now. He's my best friend. I just need some consoling and assurance that everything will be better.
("Hi?") he said. ("You're crying. Where are you?")
I asked for his location instead. I couldn't stay here any longer. It felt like my sanity would fly out the window if I stayed for a little bit longer.
Everything was blurry. I quickly left the house, not minding my Mom's longing gaze. It was like I was there but I wasn't. I can't feel myself. My mind was somewhere else. And that place was horrible.
Thirty minutes and I was there. Tripp was leaning against his car. He still looked the same, he was just thinner.
The moment he saw me, he came closer and handed me a handkerchief.
"I was just gone for a moment, you're crying again," he said while helping me wipe my tears. I forced a smile. "Why are you crying?"
I sobbed. My sobs were getting uncontrollable. "He's still..."
He placed both of his hands on my shoulder. "Don't you love me?" he asked and I nodded. "When you love me, there's no crying, Alys. I love you too, so I know. But you love Drake, so please don't give up. Don't waste my giving up. It's hard to give up, Alys... especially since I know that if I fight, I know that you'll end up with me."
I nodded at him. "But the pain really hurts..."
He smiled at me, pulling me in and hugging me. I feel so secure whenever I'm with him. I love Tripp, surely I do. He's my soulmate, we agree on almost everything. Too bad he wasn't my epic love. Maybe we'd be happy and calm now if he was the one I loved so much. I knew he wouldn't hurt me...
" Zyril, I don't know how to make you feel better."
"But it really hurts..."
I felt him kissing the top of my head. "That will go away too."
"I know it will go away... But the memory of hurting would forever haunt me. The stigma will be there. Do you know I think I'm always going to get hurt. It's crazy but that's how I feel..."
His hug tightened. I could feel his heart beating as the wind blew.
"He would hurt you and it would be worth it. When you love someone, everything is worth it."
I smiled at him. He matured in such a short period of time.
"Are you really giving up on me?" I asked him. He said he's waiting but I don't want him to wait. Tripp's very special. I love him so I don't want to wait. He should chase someone who's worth the chase.
He shook his head. "No but I want you to be happy," he said and then he stopped. "Shit, I'm so corny."
And then we shared a good laugh.
"Are you hungry?" he asked me. Just then, I remembered I haven't eaten anything yet. We just got out of the hospital. How's Fier doing? I hope she's fine... I'm angry, but I don't want anything bad to happen to her or her baby. Wishing someone harm is just so low. I'm not like that, I don't want to be like that.
He left for a moment to go to his car. When he came back, he had a paper bag with him.
"Eat. You're still like that. When will you learn to eat without someone reminding you? Tsk," he said while opening the container for me. Tripp's the sweetest. I really hope he finds a girl. But I don't want Kei for him. I don't know. I'm being selfish.
We ate for a while. We ate, he actually forced me to eat. I wasn't in the mood to eat.
It still hurt me that Drake didn't agree. My ego was bruised.
After eating, I looked at Tripp. "Tripp?"
"Hmm?"
"If I ask you to run away, will you come with me?"
He smiled at me. "Secret. When these are all too much to bear, I'll take care of you. Don't worry. You're a princess, don't forget that."
That was the last thing he said before we parted ways. He assured me that everything would be okay. I hope so.
The morning came and I was still tired. I didn't do anything else all night if I wasn't thinking. It's hard to think, especially when you're thinking about painful things.
I went downstairs after I cleaned myself up. I didn't have any plans today. I just didn't want to think anymore. Let it go. I wanted to go and unwind.
"Alys," he said. He was here.
I looked at him. He looked dead tired. "Why?"
I'm not angry with Drake, I'm just hurt because he didn't fight for me. I just wanted to leave. Running away wasn't the solution but it would ease the pain.
"I'm sorry."
I walked past him and went straight to the fridge. "Okay."
"Are you angry?"
"No."
I heard him sigh. Sorry, Drake. I'm not angry but I'm so disappointed. Leave me alone...
"Where were you last night?"
"I'm with Tripp."
He stopped. I looked at him. I don't know why I said that, maybe because I was hurt and I wanted him to feel the same.
"I almost asked him to run with me, Drake."
"But you didn't," he said. His eyes were hopeful.
I nodded at him. "Because I promised you I wouldn't run. Drake, just marry me. I'm about to go crazy."
Faster than a blink of an eye, he said yes. "I'll marry you."
I smiled and then hugged him. "Thank you..."
After hugging me, he looked at me. "Your parents would hate me for this... but yes, let's get married."
And then he pulled me and we drove away. Was this the start of our happily ever after? I hope so.