The Fab Five- Pentagonix

Chapter 17- Alyssa

Alyssa’s P.O.V

I sit in the passenger seat of Dakota’s flashy sports car and stare out the window deep in thought. It seems that I have been thinking a lot lately, not that it has really gotten me anywhere. We made plans to help Claire out, and they sound great in theory, but all I can think about is the future. If we can’t prove her innocent during her trial then her life could be ruined. I would hate to see that happen to her. Haily seems okay, but honestly I think she is more affected by the whole situation then she wants to let herself or anyone else believe. She was kidnapped and abused by a psychotic tranny. It must be haunting her, I’m sure of it. I know her parents and Scott are trying to convince her to talk to a shrink, or at least the school counselor, but she is seriously convinced that she is okay. Rebecca took the whole thing with Mark pretty well, but I don’t see how she can just act like nothing happened. If that’s her way of coping, I’m cool with it, but she really needs to face the fact that something pretty traumatic happened. Vivian is okay, I think. She was acting really weird, but Ryan seemed to help her out. He makes her happy, and I can tell he is sincere when he tells her he cares. I’m happy for her. She seems the least affected by the wrath of high school.

So where does that leave me? My best friends are in distress, but I’m okay right? Nothing truly bad has happened to me, so why do I constantly look over my shoulder like someone is following me. I am so anxious all the time. Something always happens, and it seems like I am constantly bracing myself for the next blow. What if it is me next time? Dakota has been a real trooper through everything. I need him. He is my anchor now more than ever. I just can’t help thinking about what will happen when all of the drama becomes too much for him to handle, and he leaves. I don’t think I would be able to handle that.

“We’re here.” Dakota suddenly breaks me out of my thoughts. I didn’t even realize the car had stopped moving.

“Where are we?” I question looking out the window.

“One of my favorite places to come when I need some space to think. I can tell you have been stressed recently, and I thought that maybe you could use some time away from all your problems.” He smiles at me then gets out of the car and walks around to the back. I feel my lips turning up in a smile for the first time in a while. I look out the window once again to see we are parked on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. Really romantic babe. It’s the thought that counts, right? I pull my phone out of my pocket as Dakota walks over and bends down to look through the window. “You coming?” He questions. I nod with a smile. I take one last look at my phone before turning it off and tucking it safely in the glove compartment. When I step out of the car, I don’t see Dakota anywhere. I take a few steps in one direction before someone comes from behind me and covers my eyes. I almost scream, but I recognize the familiar scent of Dakota and automatically relax again. “Come with me.” He says softly into my ear.

“Do I really have a choice at this point?” I say sarcastically.

“Nope. Now watch your step.” He answers back.

“How the actual hell do you expect me to watch my step when your hands are blocking my eyes?” I laugh a little at the failed warning.

“Oh just close your eyes and come on.” He removes his hands from my eyes and I close them. He reaches for my hand and firmly encloses it within his much larger one. He gently tugs my hand to get me to follow him. I stumble a few times, but we finally get to where Dakota was trying to go. “Okay. Open ‘em.” He says sounding like a little boy full of excitement. I slowly open my eyes to find myself looking at a majestic waterfall. It looks like something you would find in National Geographic. The serene view was beautiful beyond compare. I turned to Dakota with the biggest smile on my face. He smiled back at me lovingly. He grabbed my hand again and lead me over to the edge of the water. “Let’s go swimming.” He said grinning.