GAGE

52// g o n e

A/N: ok so I started this book sometime ago and the cover has always been the same boring black and white theme so I decided to change it and I think it looks really good so I'm super excited about it and I hope you like it too :)))) oh and happy holidays-- don't forget to vote for the chapter and whatnot
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"Come with me."

Is he serious? For a second I look at him like he's crazy. Probably because he is. "Gage, I can't," I shake my head.

"What's keeping you here?" He narrows his eyes at me.

I cross my arms over my chest as I try to come up with an excuse. I don't want to fucking go out of the country and to 'other places,' but if it means getting out of here and being with him, maybe I should.

Then again, it might be the worse decision I could ever make.

"I can't," I look down and turn away. It's too much thinking for me to do right now.

He searches for my eyes but I keep them planted on the floor.

"Why?" he asks.

Well, that's a good question.

I really don't know. It just seems so bizarre to do something like that; pick up everything,—not that I have much — leave my best friend here, and disappear. If I ended up hating Gage at some point, which I know I would, there'd be no where to hide.

That's a lot to process all so suddenly. Why can't he just be normal? Why can't he just be a regular guy that isn't a fucking criminal that ruins my life at every chance he can get?

I know that if I stay I'll be miserable and upset, regretting not going. If I go, I know that I'll be still miserable and upset, but just a little bit less because I'll be with him.

But maybe it doesn't have to be that way.

"Because..." I think of an excuse to say because I really don't have an answer. "I don't want to."

I finally look up to him and his glare is ice cold. I look away almost immediately, afraid of what is eyes do to me.

"You don't?" Despite his intimidating stare, his voice is calmer than I expected.

I don't feel like arguing right now and I know if I tried to, he wouldn't even entertain it so I just go with my answer.

I shake my head slightly, "No."

What he does next confuses me and even scares me a little.

"Okay," he says.

Why isn't he fighting me? Why isn't he telling me that I have to and I don't have an option?

I guess this is what I wanted, right?

"When are you leaving?" I bite my lip and twiddle my thumbs, nervous for the answer.

"Today."

Oh.

"How long did you know about this?" If he knew that he was leaving and didn't tell me...

"Earlier."

It's only morning so it couldn't have been that long ago.

At least he told me a few more details than normal. He'd usually just say he's going away and he'll be back soon then he'd come back weeks later, acting like nothing happened.

Maybe time apart is what we need though. On good terms, but just apart...

Right?

I pad over to him and my cold fingers graze his warm cheek. My eyes trail down his tired face until they stop at his lips.