You Can't Run From the Past

Chapter 9: He's Back

Chapter 9: He's Back

I began to laugh. Not just a little "ha-ha" laugh but a "did you just say what I think you just said" kind of laugh.  "Are you just trying to make me hate you anymore than I already do?" I asked them when I finally caught my breath.

"Tessa, he's...," Jessie began, but I didn't give her the chance to finish.

"Shut up!" I half shrieked. "Just shut up Jesse! Is this some kind of joke? Well, if it is: it's not even remotely funny." I was seething with anger now.

"It's not a joke," Nate whispered.

"Why should I trust you?" I asked him.  "Either of you?" I asked again; I was directing my attention at both of them.

"Because we're your friends," Jesse said looking sad.

"Friendship is to be earned; the same goes for trust. At this point neither of you qualify for either," I growled. They just stood there starring at me in horror.

"I'm sorry," Nate whispered looking at his feet.

 "Get out," I said through clenched teeth.  I watched as they both turned and made there way to the door. Once they were out of sight I began to sob uncontrollable.

"I love you too," I looked up at the door. I stared in horror.

"Alex?" I choked out. He smiled at me softly and sat on the bed next to me.

"But, but how?" I asked. I remembered the last time I had seen him. His limp body in the back of Jesse's car. I remembered how he was covered in blood. I also remembered what I had said. I had told him I loved him, and I meant it.

"The people who kidnapped Jessie realised I was just in a state of shock and they saved me. Jesse had thought I was dead because she couldn't feel my heart beating, but I was still alive," he said looking kind of sad.

"Oh Alex," I said wrapping my arms around him and pulling him against me. When he pulled back we just smiled at each other. Then, just like Nate had three months ago, Alex kissed me. He kissed me like he truly loved me and never wanted to let me go.

"Did you mean what you said to Jesse and Nate?" Alex asked when he pulled away.

"I don't know." I said.

"I understand why you hate them right now," he said looking me dead in the eyes, "but at least give them a chance to explain, okay?" he asked.

"Fine," I said.  I suddenly felt really tired.

"Thank you. Now you get some rest. They're releasing you tomorrow," he smiled at me then stood up.

"Alex," He looked back at me. "Will you stay?" I asked.

"Sure," he said with a cute smile. He laid down next to me. I felt better knowing that he was there. I slowly drifted off to sleep.

"You promised me you would let them explain!"  Alex exclaimed.  Alex had checked me out of the hospital about an hour before. We were now in the car on the way to Adeline's house.

"Alex, why do you care?" I asked. He had told me that Nate and Jesse where waiting for me back at the house, and I had told him that I wasn't ready to talk to them yet.

"Because their you're friends, and I want you to be happy," he said glancing at me.

"Alex, you don't understand why I'm so mad at them," I said matter-of-factly.

"I have a pretty good idea," he said in a slightly nerves tone.

"Alex, whats going on?" I asked.

"When you and Nate first stated dating I was happy for you. Then I realized that I," He looked nervous, "that I loved you. It tore me up inside. I felt like a little bit of me died inside. When you and Nate broke up I saw my chance to tell you, but then everything else happened."

I felt like I was about to cry. Alex loved me, but I loved Nate and Alex.  Nate had told me he loved me before. Jessie was one of my best friends and now her and Nate were together. My life is a mess!

When we got to Adeline's I found Nate on the couch, Adeline in the kitchen, and Jessie was no where to be found. I wandered upstairs to my room so I could think, and attempt to get a nap.

"Tessa? Can I talk to you?" I looked over at the door to see Nate standing there.

"Whatever," I said looking back at the ceiling.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he came and sat down on the bed next to me. That was the last straw.

"If you're so sorry then why did you do it?" I asked angrily. I sat up so i was face to face with him.

"I needed someone and Jessie was there." He whispered.

"Nate, I love you, but I'm tired of getting hurt," I said as tears pooled in my eyes.

"I love you too," he said looking at me pleadingly.

"What about Jesse?" I asked.

"I don't know. I told her that nothing could happen and she agreed," he said looking me dead in the eye.  Then he kissed me, and I let him. In that moment I forgot everything. The world seemed to disappear and it was just the two of us. That is until we heard Adeline screaming.

~~~~~~~~~~

-Gabby