Always Okay | (Adopted By Elizabeth Olsen)

Chapter 22

Word Count: 5269

Alexis's POV

I carefully follow Ashley around the park with my eyes squeezed shut. I didn't like this whole blind leading thing but I was too scared to tell her no. She might know me but I don't still don't know her. People tell me life is made up of your choices but my life has never been about my choices. I didn't get to choose much in my life, this life seems to have chosen me. As we continued to round the park path, I stumbled a little but managed to regain my footing without dropping the drinks Ashley had picked up at the coffee shop.

Finally, she came to a halt but I couldn't see her so I practically tripped into her. I peeked a little to look at her, but she didn't seem to notice. "Alright, here I'll take these, open your eyes," Ashley smiled at me after taking the drink carrier out of my hands.

I opened my eyes and squinted a little as the sun had just risen over the city. I looked around until I saw someone I recognized, well to be more specific the one person who made New York sound like fun. Scarlett.

I'm not sure why or what propelled me to do what I did next but suddenly I found myself running towards her with a small grin plastered across my face. I knew she spotted me as soon as I saw her because she had that all too familiar smirk written across her lips. I jumped right into her arms as soon as I was within her reach and she didn't hesitate to hold me close. It was different, comforting, and warm but not the same. No one could compare, but I needed this. I needed someone whom I trusted and had given me no reason to ever not.

I felt her begin to pull back and instead of following her lead I tightened my grip as I pushed my forehead against her chest searching for a familiar feeling that deep down I knew she couldn't give me. Not because she didn't care about me or I didn't care about her, but rather that she wasn't my Lizzie. "Alexis sweetheart, what is wrong?" Scarlett whispered into my ear in a raspy voice.

I didn't want to tell her just yet. I wanted to enjoy this moment just a little longer, so I told her in a quiet voice, "I missed you." It wasn't an excuse, I really did miss her, but just not in the way I was missing someone else.

I don't know how long we stood there with me wrapped tightly in her embrace, but eventually, Scarlett spoke up. "Alexis, your hot chocolate is getting cold, why don't we sit down and your Aunt Ashley can tell you some fun facts about Central Park?" Scarlett said as she slowly removed me from her embrace. I was a little hurt that she was letting go but then again, I guess it's not fair to manipulate her so that I could pretend Lizzie still wanted to keep me.

"To the bench," Ashley beamed.

"Yes, Teacher Ashley," Scarlett laughed sarcastically but I didn't really get it. I mean I'm assuming it's funny, but I haven't met my actual teacher since I went to daycare and I vaguely remember that lady.

We sat down on a bench that was surprisingly dry before Ashley handed out warm drinks to everyone. Both women sat on the end of the bench and I distanced myself from both by sitting in the middle. Ashley started to ramble about the cool history of central park and New York City. As much as I love history and fun facts, I had already done my fair share of research about New York, so it was mainly a repeat for me and I zoned out quickly. 

I started to think about the life Lizzie has led without me. Ever since I've learned how to properly use the internet, I've been learning as much as I could about everyone. I looked up Lizzie out of curiosity and I did see a few articles about her engagement but I thought they were fake because surely if she was engaged for real she'd tell me. But she didn't. She was a lot like Josh in a way, always keeping an escape route nearby. Lizzie led a good life, she seemed happy without me. She worked a lot, lived out her college dreams, and got to be an actress just like she always wanted. Her movies weren't always rated the best but the comments and critics seemed to praise her. Last night really trigger the question I've been pushing away for far too long - is she better off without me?