Before Misery

Chapter 22

♪ ♫5 Seconds of Summer - Waste the Night / Deaf Havana - I'm A Bore, Mostly ♪ ♫

Have you ever driven around at night in a city you've never been to before? I hadn't. Until Kaden came up with an idea to go and discover what Bristol had to offer for us. The band had finished their show and we'd gone back to the hotel. After having lied down for two hours, too hyped up to sleep, Kaden suggested going for a ride. We had taken the van, since we didn't have any other vehicles with us.

"Can you change the song?" Kaden opened his mouth, motioning with his hand towards the radio that was playing a slow song I hadn't heard before.

"I'm gonna' put on a CD," I informed him, searching through the glove box. Aiden had taken at least twenty-five different CDs with him, so we wouldn't have to listen to the same ten songs they play on the radio over and over again.

"See if there's the new 5 Seconds of Summer album. I know he bought it months ago."

"I didn't know you liked them," I turned my head to look at him, pulling out one album after another one and putting them on my lap.

"They're alright," Kaden shrugged, keeping his eyes on the road. It was around 2am but since it was in the middle of the summer, it wasn't pitch black outside. We were driving down an almost empty road. Almoste mpty, since I'd seen three cars pass in the twenty minutes we'd been on the road.

I found the 5 Seconds of Summer album and took out the CD, placing the cover back in the glove box. I put the other CDs back inside too and closed the compartment. We fell silent again, enjoying the scenery as the music filled the car. Kaden drummed his fingers against the steering-wheel while I looked at him with fascination. How was I so lucky to have him?

"This gives off perfect driving around at night vibes, don't you think?" Kaden turned to me when Waste the Night started playing.

"Mmhm,"I mumbled, nodding my head, "I like this. I like driving around at night. I wish I could do it more often."

"We can from now on," Kaden replied, placing his palm on my left knee. "I can come pick you up whenever you want me to and we'd drive around Leeds. We can go somewhere else as well, not only Leeds but you know what I mean."

"I'll keep that in mind," I smiled at him, intertwining our fingers and pressing my back more against the back of the seat.

We drove for a little while until Kaden stopped the car, pulling it to the side of the road. As I got out of the car, I could see a river in the distance. We walked towards it, holding hands. I heard city noises not far away and when we stepped out of the woods, I saw cars driving on the highway across the river.

As we reached the river, I took a look around. I could see the Bristol Bridge in the far distance on our left. We were standing at the side of the river, long green grass surrounding our feet. Kaden and I were stood side by side, taking it all in. We decided to sit down on the ground, with me in front of him.

"Last time I stood in front of a river, I, um, was thinking about ending it all," Kaden suddenly whispered, his forehead against my shoulder and his arms around me. I could feel him tense up and take slow and steady breaths in and out.

"What?" I asked surprised, whipping my head to face him. Kaden loosened his grip on me so I could fully turn around and I rested my head on his chest, my hands around his torso. I knew he was hurt and didn't want to face me while explaining, so I listened to his heart beats and his voice at the same time, while he stared out at the flowing river.