No Strings Attached ; j.g

t w e n t y

*TWO MONTHS FAST FORWARD*

"Wow, it's been a while since I've been in Cali," Misty said as she stared out of the van window. "Don't your friends live out here, Breezy?"

"I doubt they're my friends now, I threw that phone out and haven't talked to em. But yeah, they do."

"They were head over heels for ya, Breeze. I'm sure they'll forgive you," Misty soothed.

"How can they be mad at you for doing something you wanna do? For not wanting to stay in California? You're a free-spirited girl, they have to understand that. They shouldn't change you," Ziggy started getting a little defensive.

"Ziggy's had some rough relationships," Misty whispered and I nodded.

We sat in silence for a while, other than the background music, Band of Skulls. Wanderluster. I stared out the window and watched the people in the streets having fun. Some were skateboarding, others walking and talking. Some probably heading to the beach. I rolled down the window and let the wind blow through my hair. It felt nice, I felt like a bird.

I watched the palm trees go by, the flying birds. I stared ahead at the nearly empty street. I'd seen it before so many times.

"Do you wanna make any stops, Breezy? Maybe visit Jack or Marley?" Hash asked, he was the one driving.

"Uh, sure. I'll give you directions."

-

"Thanks for the ride," I thanked the hippies. "Um, let's see its one now, pick me up around three?"

"Sure man, see ya later," Hash said and drove off.

I stood before Jack's house. Memories flooded my mind. We had a few good times together, I threw it all away.

No! What're you doing? You're gonna get hurt, stupid girl.

My mind never stopped arguing with me. I took a deep breath and walked up to the front door. I knocked once, then twice more. I rocked back and forth on my heels nervously.

I heard Jack's muffled voice call something and then he opened the door. He stared at me in shock. "Hi," I gave him a weak smile.

"U-um, h-hi," he scratched the back of his head.

"Can I come in?" I asked nervously. He looked over his shoulder and then his eyes found mine again.

"Now's not really a good time," he said weakly. "Maybe la-"

"Jack I'm not gonna be here all day, I- unless we-"

"We what? Work things out?" He started getting angry. "You fucking left me, with Sam! One of my best friends! I'm fucking pissed at the both of you, and you think I'm gonna want to work things out?"

"J-Jack," I blinked back tears.

"No! Don't you get it? You broke a promise! You even said a few days, and that turned into months! You said you'd stay."

Promises are meant to be broken.

"P-promises are meant to be b-broken," I cried. "No. No," I whimpered. "Jack, I just wanted to go. I-I'm sorry. I love you!"

"Alexis," he stared. Wow, I hadn't been called that in a long time. "If you loved me, all you had to do was turn around."

I stared at him through my cloudy eyes and watched the blurry door close. I'd never felt so hurt before. It was like my heart had been shredded.

I slowly walked down his yard and sat on the curb. I waited around for two hours before the hippies came back. I stood at the front window.

"What's wrong Breezy?" Hash asked, concerned.

I shook my head and a few more tears fell, "he hates me," I cried.

"No I'm sure he d-"

I looked to my right and saw a girl walking to her car, in Jack's driveway. I stared at her. She looked at me with a disgusted face.

"Bitch," I mumbled.

"Do you still wanna go see Marley?" he asks.

"I don't know where he lives," I shrugged. "He's probably gonna be mad that I threw out an $800 phone," I sighed.

"Let's go to the beach, hop in," Hash suggested. I got in the back of the car and everyone hugged me and told me I'd be okay.

I'd never really felt love, but it sure as hell hurt. 'Love is great when it's peaceful,' Ziggy's words rang in my ears. It was true, and Ziggy was wise.