Dark Angel // Alex Gaskarth

Chapter Twenty Eight: I Can't Say Goodbye

Song & Title Credit: Windows In Heaven by We Are The In Crowd

Angel~ 

The flight back home was painfully long. Even after a three hour nap, I felt like I was never going to see the ground again. A bit dramatic, I know. After a month of waiting, the documents went through and now, I'm finally able to go back home to Baltimore. Beside the fact that I am now married, nothing has really changed. It's crazy how much things have changed in my life these past two years. I do miss Jasmine, but I'd rather be in Baltimore with my mother than in Mexico with my father. 

We're currently going through the whole post airplane ride routine. We grabbed our bags and went through the basic customs before we were finally clear to leave the airport. Jack claims that he met a girl a few weeks ago, but Zack and Alex think that this girl was nothing more than a careless fling. Jack says that the girl's name is Erica Spark, I like her last name, and she goes to online school. Since I haven't met this girl yet, I don't know what to think about her. I am glad that Jack met someone, though. 

As we walked out of the airport, a short woman called out Jack's name. I quickly recognized the woman as Jack's mother, Joyce. Standing behind her were Jack's dad and the parents of Alex, Zack and Rian. Obviously, they all knew that I was coming back from Mexico. I just hope that none of them uttered a word to my mother. I want to make sure I surprise her. 

"Jack!" Joyce greeted. She ran towards her lanky son and quickly embraced him in a tight hug. Struggling to breathe, Jack quickly returned the hug. "We missed you so much." Joyce cried into her son's chest. Jack's father, Bassam, quickly walked towards the two and joined the hug. As the three were having a reunion, the rest of the parents all embraced their children in a warm welcome. 

I did feel a bit awkward just standing there alone, but I guess I can't be too upset. I could have told my mother that I was coming back, but I didn't. I also didn't have to worry about my father calling my mother and telling her. Even when I was rebelling in Mexico, my father didn't utter a word to her. I did ask him why he never called us and he said that he'd rather lose his money than have to hear my mother complain about his lack of parenting. Although I do hate his answer, I am a bit happy that he didn't tell my mother about Alex's proposal. 

Even though the adults knew about my return, none of them know about the choices and sacrifices Alex and I had to make. Well, beside Alex's parents, of course. 

"Angel," Isobel, Alex's mother, began, "Did everything go as plan?" She asked referring to the whole marriage plan. 

I nodded, smiling widely as I held up my hand and showed off the ring. Yes, it isn't anything that one would look at twice, but it was nothing less than perfect. "Everything went by perfectly. I'm sorry it took so long, but the documents were processed at a very slow pace." I apologized. 

"Wait... What the hell. You guys are married?" Rian's mom asked. She held the same shocked look, beside Alex's parents, that all of the adults held. 

"Yes," I nodded, "I know it's a big decision to make, and we definitely had to sacrifice a lot, especially Alex. But I promise, we'll make the best of this situation." I finished. "I hate to rush things, but can I go see my mother?" 

Isobel nodded eagerly. "Of course you can, dear." She said. I followed Alex and his parents towards a nice blue car sandwiched between two red cars that both belonged to Rian and Zack's parents. Isobel and Ian called the front seat, Isobel driving while Alex and I settled in the backseat. 

Alex placed his hand over mine, smiling softly. "You look nervous." He pointed out. 

"I am." I admitted. I was nervous about many things, but the main thing on my mind was my mother's reaction. What will she think of this? Will she be happy to see me? Wait, what if she doesn't even live at the same place anymore? What if she moved after I left? I doubt she did, but I better ask just in case.  

"Do you guys know if my mom is still living in the same has as before?" I asked, leaning forward a bit.  

Isobel nodded, her attention kept on the road before us. "She is. Ian and I went to visit her last week. It's just..." She paused, her lips pursing together in a tight line.  

"What? What is it? Please, tell me." I begged.  

Isobel sighed heavily, Ian tensing as he kept his gaze out the window. "Your mother, she.. well, she isn't exactly in the best state. When we went to visit her, she was so thin. I've never seen her like that before. When you left, we all went to support her. She was fine at first, but then she began pushing everyone away and refusing our help." She explained. "We're all worried about her. But we're glad that you returned when you did, Angel." She smiled at me through the rear-view mirror.  

I nodded, doing the same as Ian and focusing my gaze to the scenery passing by us. How I hope that my mother hasn't done anything stupid while I was away. The drive to my home felt like hours. The line of houses brought a strange feeling to me. It was the exact same neighborhood I grew up in, but there was something different about it. I'm not exactly sure what, but there definitely was something different.  

As soon as Isobel pulled into the driveway, I jumped out of the car and hurried towards the front door. Much like the rest of the neighborhood, the house didn't change for much. The only real difference was the noticeable garbage in the front yard. I guess I'll just clean that up later.  

I pounded my fist against the front door. "Answer," I whispered, my fingers digging into the skin of my palm. I waited for what felt like hours before my mother finally answered the front door.  

Isobel was right, she was extremely thin. Dark, sunken bags sat beneath her dull brown eyes. She was dressed in an oversized blue t-shirt and pajama pants. Her body looked frail, as if one touch would cause her to disintegrate on the floor. "A-Angel..." She whispered. Her brown eyes widened in shock as she struggled to utter a word.  

"Mothe-" I began, but before I could even finish my sentence, mom collapsed on the floor. I quickly knelt down beside her, Alex and his parents hurrying towards us. I grabbed her arm, searching for a pulse. "Shit," I whispered, "Call an ambulance!" I shouted to no one in particular. Tears brimmed my eyes, but I bit my lip and held them back.  

This isn't how things were supposed to go. I was supposed to come home, tell my mother the good news and talk about all the things that have happened to her and I in the past year and a half. She isn't supposed to pass out. Why the hell did she pass out anyway- 

"Fuck." I quickly stood up and ran into the house. I sprinted down the hallway and pushed her bedroom door open. My heart dropped instantly, my gaze fixed on the three empty bottles of pills laying on the bedroom floor. "No," I whispered, running towards the bottles. I picked them up and read that they were prescription sleeping pills. In anger, I picked up the empty bottle of Jack Daniels and threw it against the wall, watching as the glass exploded into a million pieces.  

"Angel!" I heard Alex call out. My knees buckled and gave out. I collapsed on to the floor, sobbing hysterically. Alex ran into the room, his arms tightly wrapped around my torso. "Angel," he breathed into my ear. I said nothing and buried my face into his chest. My fingers gripped his shirt, my tears staining the fabric he wore. I wanted to scream, to tear my hair out and curse at the wind, but I couldn't. I couldn't do anything but cry into Alex's chest. He gave me comfort, but it just wasn't enough.

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A question for all you lovely little people: Who do you think best represents Angel? Like, who do you picture playing Angel? 

I want to make a wattpad trailer for this story, but I don't know who would best fit Angel. I want to say Taylor Jardine, but I want to see what you guys think first.