Paradise {COMPLETED}

Chapter 29

I wake up with an arm on my face. "What the heck?" I mutter, dropping the arm next to me. I look and see the arm belongs to Alan. I carefully, not to wake him, pull his arm back up and put it around my shoulders.

"Morning princess," he murmurs. "Sorry I woke you," I say, feeling bad. "It's okay honey, I probably need to be up anyways," he shrugs.

"Did you sleep okay?" I ask Alan. He nods, "Yep. It was great. How you holding up, baby girl?" I shrug, "Okay. It hurts. But I had a dream, where He told me it'd be okay."

Alan nods, "You will be, girl. You're strong and capable. I know it hurts, but you'll be okay." I nod, "I know." He grins, "You're still okay about leaving Josh and Jaxon?"

"I dunno. I'm trying to convince them to come with us. I really don't wanna leave them," I admit. "That's understandable. They only want what's best for you sweetie," he reminds me. "I know Big Al," I reply.

"Want some food?" I ask him. "Yeah. Do you want me to cook you anything?" He asks. "It doesn't matter. I can just make some French toast sticks," I say. He rubs his stomach, "Those sound really good right now."

We make them, and sit at the counter in the kitchen eating them. We eat alone, and I decide I want to show Alan around Branson a bit. I jot down a note for the others, so they don't worry.

Alan wanted a tour of Branson. I decided to show him around. Be back soon. Xoxo Mia

I tape it to the fridge, and Alan and I head out, in our pajamas. "Do you really think I'm strong?" I ask Alan.

He nods, "Of course you are. You're the strongest little girl I know." I grin, and blush a little. It's funny how he can always make me blush.

"Where to Miss Tour Guide?" Alan asks, chuckling. I grin, "You'll see." We arrive at Silver Dollar City, a theme park. "Technically," I whisper, "nobody's supposed to be in before it opens but I have a connection."

"A connection?" Alan asks, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, my cousin, Titus, works here, and he can get us in," I reply. "That's very sneaky Mia!" Alan scolds. I shrug, as I see Titus coming towards us.

"Hey girlie. How ya holding up?" He asks, engulfing me in a hug. "I'm okay, Titus," I assure him. He nods, "Okay, just checking, kiddo."

"Titus, I want you to meet Alan," I say. The two "man-hug". "I've heard a lot about you Alan. I'm a fan of your music," Titus says. "Cool dude. You can meet the rest of the band later, and maybe we'll play you a VIP show," Alan says.

Titus grins, letting us into the park. "Okay, the rides are okay. I'll let you ride them. But the shops are off limits," he says, "you can come back later and they'll be open."

Alan and I go around and ride around on a ton of rides. One time, Titus got somebody else to run to the ride so he could go with us.

"I'll bring the guys once it opens," I say, as we're leaving. "Okay, Mia. Love you girl. Tell Uncle Josh and Jaxon I said hi," Titus says hugging me. "You too, bro. Hey, if you get a chance, just come over," I invite. He nods, "I will."

"Bye dude!" Alan exclaims, fist bumping Titus. "See ya later, Alan," he says.

~*~

"You guys were out?" Joey asks. "In your pajamas?" Chad adds, with a dramatic gasp. "We went to a theme park and saw my cousin Titus. Is that a crime?" I ask. "No," Caleb replies, shaking his head rapidly.

"I wanna go to the park," Joey pouts. I ruffle his hair, "It's okay Jo-Jo. We're going back later." He gets a hopeful grin on his face, "Really?" I nod, "Yep."

~*~

"Oh! Josh! I saw Titus with Alan earlier and I invited him over. We have to go back to the park, because Titus wants to meet the rest of the guys. Do you and Jax wanna come?" I ask, breathing heavily. "Mia, babe, breathe. I'll go. Give me ten minutes," he says, rubbing my back.

Jaxon agrees to go too, so ten minutes later we're climbing into a van. "Ooh can I drive?" I squeal. Jaxon shakes his head, "Dad said I could drive." I shrug, "Okay."

We get there, buy our tickets, and are allowed inside. "Is Titus still here?" Josh asks one of the employees. She nods, "Do you want me to tell him you're here, sir?" Josh grins, "Yes please. Tell him it's Uncle Josh."

Titus emerges from a building and throws off his apron. "I convinced the boss to let me spend some time with you," he says to Josh. Josh smiles, "Okay, son. You ready to have some fun?"

Silver Dollar City is the place to be! We do so much, eat so much food, have so much fun. Then we go home, and I'm struck by tragedy again.

The house is empty. My heart is broken. This is just what it means to be alive. I can't stand to be in the house, this life, this world without them. I run outside, and keep running. I bump into somebody, and both of us tumble into the grass.

"Mia?" The person asks. I look up, "Mark?" He nods, "Yeah it's me. How've you been? Haven't seen you around lately." I explain what's been happening to one of my best friends.

"I'm sorry, Mia. I didn't know," he says, hanging his head. "It's okay, Mark. You didn't know. But how've you been lately?" He explains to me about his life over the past few months. Apparently, his life has been amazing.

"Glad you're doing well," I mumble, trying to find an escape. "We should hang," he blurts out. "I'm not in the mood to hang," I say, continuing to walk to who-knows-where. "Bye Mia!" He calls after me. "Bye Mark," I reply, not even turning to look at him.

I run away as fast as I can. My phone buzzes in my pocket repeatedly, but I choose to ignore it. "I can't do this," I whisper to myself. I stop running. I sit under a nearby tree, and cry. A few people walk past me, but nobody seems to notice me.

I answer my ringing my phone, and try to sound normal. "Hello?" I ask. "Mia, beautiful, where are you?" Alan asks. "I just went to visit a friend, Alan. I'm fine. Don't worry," I say. "You sound like you've been crying, hon. You okay?" He asks, with concern.

"I'm good. I'll be home in an hour or two," I assure him. "Okay girl, call me if you need anything. I love you," he says. "You too, Al. Bye." I hang up and stare at my phone in disbelief.

I just lied to Alan.