Every Last Page.

Chapter 19: Hollywood

It was the middle of the night unclear of what time it was as I was dead asleep in Slaters bed, that was until he came in and grabbed something from his closet only to leave again before I could say anything.

I fully awoke around 11:00 A.M. to the sound of my phone buzzing like crazy, flooding with notifications and phone calls. I sat up to search for my phone under the blankets, quickly realizing that Slater was no where in sight. My phone started ringing for the millionth time, it was Nolan.

Nolan: Dude have you seen Slater?! No ones seen him since last night, apparently some shit went down with his sister and Ace sleeping with together, which didn't happen. He didn't believe him and they got in a nasty fight not to mention Hazel tried to meet up with Ace at the docks near the pier last night and I'm pretty sure that she got jumped by the drug dealer and his friends. Remi she's in the hospital in bad condition, but I'm worried he's gone off the rails.

My stomach feels like it just did a full 180, I sat frozen in his bed taking in what information I was just given. It was too early for me to comprehend what was actually happening, "Where would he have gone?" I questioned, as I stood up to throw my denim shorts on from yesterday. Ace sighed, almost as if he was holding something else back, "The Hollywood sign, he only told our group about how he goes there to be alone and think. It's about an hour drive from here."

I sighed knowing what I had to do, "I'll leave in a couple minutes, let's hope he's there." I could hear his concerned sigh, "Ok Rem, but just be careful." I nodded even though I knew he couldn't see, whispering a, 'k' before I hung up and put some shoes on. I felt so bad for Hazel in this moment, she probably has a million things racing through her mind right now, and I know first hand how it feels to be overwhelmed.

I ran downstairs, purse, keys, and phone in hand, rushing to my car. I jumped in and connected my phone to the car, calling ace. "C'mon, c'mon, pick up dude." I mumbled under my breathe as I backed out into the road, watching for traffic to drive off. When he didn't answer I grew even more concerned about this whole situation.

As much as I wanted to go find Slater right now, I felt the need to go to the hospital and check on Hazel. She had grown very attached to me and I was getting attached to her.

It was a very short 3 minutes as I found myself searching for a parking spot in the hospital parking lot. After searching and finding a stall I ushered myself out of the car, and headed towards the main entrance of the hospital. I walked up to the front desk and asked where I could find Hazel, they directed me to her room.

I walked towards the elevator and pressed the button to go up, it dinged and shortly after opened. I walked in pressing 4, it started moving which caused me to increase my grip on the railing even more. Once I reached floor four the doors opened and I walked out looking to my left to search on the big sign where I needed to go next.

I walked down a long hall slowly looking for room 406, when I stood in front of the door I knocked gently before hearing a deep voice telling me to come in. I took a deep breathe preparing myself for whatever I was going to walk into, I saw Ace holding the sleeping hand of Hazel, "So it is true? You guys are like a 'thing'?" I smiled gently hoping to brighten the mood, i saw the ends of his lip slightly tug into small smile.

~

I had spent 30 minutes at the hospital before I left to venture off and find Slater, worried of what state I would find him in. It was nearly dark before I reached the Hollywood sign, I did have to walk a little bit but it wasn't that bad. I reached the top of the hill to reveal a small figure in the distance, sitting on a blanket with their knees to their chest, "Slater?" I softly called out.

It was him in fact. He turned to look at me and I could see the tears in his eyes, "Go away." He remarked. I never had anyone want to push me away before but I brushed it off not wanting to leave him alone.

"No, I'm staying to make sure you're ok."

He sniffled, "I dont need anyone to check up on me. I'm perfectly fine on my own."

I stepped forward closer to him, revealing his face in the moonlight, they were bloodshot and his face was purple and swollen with bruises. "What happened?" I gently asked approaching him more.

He stood up in one quick motion, "I told you to leave! I'm fine on my own!" He yelled towards, I felt a lump grow in my throat at the sound of his voice raising. I walked over slowly and cupping his face looking into his eyes as realization rushed over me, "Your high?" My voice barely above a whisper.

"I didn't even want you here! Why can't you just leave me alone?!" He slapped my hands off his face before getting more and more heated. "I don't want to leave! I care about you!" He turned away and I could sense he was letting up his anger, that was before he tensed up and told me, "Well I don't care about you!"

A tear fighting to fall, I held out, the lump in my throat grew bigger at his words, I wanted to scream and cry but Instead I turned and started to walk away, "Hey Remi I didn't mean it like that." I chose to ignore his words and kept walking, I heard his feet catching up to me in the dirt and I felt him grab my wrist and turn me around, I removed myself from his grasp instantly facing him now.

"WHAT OTHER WAY DID YOU MEAN IT!? You don't just say you don't care about someone and expect everything to be fine!" I fought back as he was too stunned to respond, "Yeah, that's what I thought." I turned to start walking away and head back to my car.

"I love you." He called out, causing me to stop dead in my tracks and slowly turn around, "What?"

"I love you Remi, I knew when I first met your feisty personality that you were perfect for me." I wanted to run away and hide from everyone in that instant but something urged me to run up to him and kiss him, it wasn't right. I knew it wasn't. But I couldn't help it, "I don't think I'm ready to say it just yet but you mean everything to me please know that." I tried to explain but I was cut off by him kissing me again.

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Word count: 1234

So I know some people may be mad about this chapter but sit tight, this next chapter will either have you crying or super happy!

Xoxo - M 💖