Work In Progress

Chapter Six

I follow Tate to his car, which is a white Jeep. We get in the car, and he turns to look at me.

"Who are you?" He questions.

"Bella Andrews," I smile.

"Bella, where are you from?"

"I don't want to tell you."

He shakes his head. "St. Louis, Missouri," he says, "That's where I'm from. Hated that place with a passion."

"Why'd you hate it?"

"My dad was a drug dealer," he sighs, "He'd always have the dopeheads come in and out constantly."

I reach my hand out and place it on his console. He looks down to my hand, and then back up at me. After a minute, he places his hand on top of mine.

"If it makes you feel any better, my mom died from an overdose," I say.

He gives me an apologetic look and nods. Without speaking, he puts the jeep in drive.

"Where are you taking me?" I ask.

"To my special place."

I look out the window as he drives. After a while, he puts the jeep in park. I look over at Tate, and he gets out. I follow.

He grabs my hand, and he leads me to what looks like the middle of nowhere. After a bit of walking, I spot a beautiful lake. Nobody is here, which somehow makes it even more beautiful.

"Welcome to my hideout," he smiles.

"Wow," I look around, "It's so peaceful."

"That's why I like it. Nobody ever comes here when I'm here."

"How often do you come here?"

"When I'm having a shitty day or need some cheering up, this is the spot."

He pulls off his shirt to reveal a perfect chest with a six pack of abs. Talk about a beautiful man.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Getting in the water," he laughs, "And you're coming in too."

"Hell no," I scoff.

I watch as he takes off his shorts, leaving him with a pair of boxers. I cannot let him see me naked, not with my insecurities.

"Please, Bella. I brought you here to cheer you up," he says as he jumps in the water.

"Fine but close your eyes."

He closes his eyes. I pull off my outfit and am left in only my underwear. I go to the water and jump in.

Tate opens his eyes and swims over to me. He puts his hand on my hair and plays with it.

"I love your hair," he says, "It reminds me of my mom's."

"I've never heard you mention your mom," I state, "Where is she now?"

He pauses. "Tell me where you're from, and I'll tell you about my mom."

"Fine. I'm also from St. Louis."

"I knew it," he shouts. "Why wouldn't you just tell me that from the start?"

"Because everybody from there only sees me as the drug addict's daughter, and I don't need everybody here seeing me that way too."

"You think I had any easier? My dad sold dope."

"Guess we're both fucked up," I let out a small laugh.

He leans in, and I feel his lips press against mine. I run my hand through his hair. He lifts me up, and I let out a soft moan.

I pull away. "Why'd you do that?" I ask.

"Because I wanted to kiss you," Tate smiles.

"Can you take me home?"

"Um yeah sure. Come on."

I follow Tate out of the water, and we put our clothes back on. After our clothes are on, we walk back to his Jeep and get in.

On the way to my dorm, Tate says nothing. We just sit there in silence. Once we arrive at the dorm, I start to get out, but Tate grabs my shoulder.

"Wait," he says.

"Why? I thought you were done with me."

"Why would I be done with you? Bella, I told you that I would tell you about my mom if you told me where you were from."

"Okay. Only if you want to."

"My mom was never on drugs. She was the best mom. Her name was Addison. I think she loved my dad at one point, but he started to beat on her when I was 3."

"Oh god, Tate, I'm sorry."

He shrugs. "One day, when I was 10, I came home from school to an empty house. I thought it was normal because mom worked, and dad was never there. But after my dad came home, I knew something was up. So, I decided to ask him about it, and he told me she was just off doing some shopping. She never came home. I grew up without my mom and never heard from her again."

I look at Tate with an apologetic look. I give him a hug because I don't know what else to do. I'm bad at helping people when they're upset.

Tate hugs me back, and then grabs both of my hands.

"Bella, I'm fucked up, and you don't have to be my friend if you don't want to."

"Of course, I want to be your friend. You didn't do anything wrong to make your mom leave."

"It feels like I did because I should have reported my dad to the cops."

"You were a little boy who was scared, Tate, there's nothing you could've done differently."

"Can I kiss you again?"

I smile and let out a small laugh. "Of course you can."

A/N: Updated finally guys!! I wanted to end it on a sweet note, instead of a cliffhanger this time. Hopefully will get back to updating on a regular schedule. I've been having a rough few weeks with my mental health. Thanks for anyone reading! <3