Happiness Unending

Chapter Twelve: One Step Closer to Madness

"For real where are we going?" I asked about the third time since we got onto the freeway. We have been driving for more than an hour and he still wasn't saying anything about our location. The roads appeared to get more winding and less populated. We were speeding along, passing other people who couldn't apparently take their eyes off the car. The smug grin on Jordan's face hadn't disappeared and I narrowed my eyes again.

"It's a surprise." Was all he responded with. I swear it never stopped with this boy.

"Oh great. I just love surprises." I retorted right back in a rather sarcastic tone. Jordan chuckled yet said nothing. I turned back to looking outside. The terrain was changing yet again to now what looked like a desert. Cacti flew past as green blurs and the rain was still falling steadily onto the car. I bet those plants were in for a shock when it finally did rain. I checked my phone and I had three missed calls all from JoJo. Uh oh. My phone started ringing yet again. This time I answered it. "Hello?"

"WHERE ARE YOU?" She practically screamed into my ear. Oh. Oops. I could have sworn I told her about last night!

"I'm still with Jordan, why?" I glanced at him and he winked yet again. I blushed and shook my head.

"I've been worried sick about you! I thought you were kidnapped or worse!" I knew she was upset but I thought it was kind of hilarious. She worried about me way too much. I smiled and sighed.

"It's okay. I'm alive. I promise I'm okay. We're actually on the road right now. I have no idea where I'm going and Jordan won't say where!" I aimed sort of at him. He now laughed and I could have sworn I heard JoJo gasp.

"What? Are you crazy? You don't know anything about him! What if he's actually kidnapping you? Or worse? Besides, you were extremely vague in your text from last night. What happened?" She calmed down enough for me to actually listen and I rolled my eyes. Sometimes she was worse than my mother. It was okay though. Someone had to worry about me at some point.

"Umm...that's the part I'm trying to still figure out. I just know we had a couple drinks and played a few games. Oh and we watched a movie. Other than that, I don't remember much else." I admitted. I finally felt more comfortable talking to her in the car and slouched in my seat.

"Oh Audrey. What am I going to do with you? You're not in trouble or anything? You don't need my help?"

"No I'm really okay. You can stop worrying. Just because I had a temporary relapse of memory doesn't mean I did something stupid. Maybe. I don't know. Jordan wouldn't elaborate on last night either." I gave him a rather good dose of side eye and he simply shrugged. JoJo sighed and I could only imagine she was rubbing her hands over her face in an exhausted manner.

"Just...please be careful. I've heard some...things about him." What? That got my attention.

"Wait, what things? What do you mean?" I asked now worried. What kind of things could she possibly have heard? And were these things true? My mind started racing at a million miles per hour and I tried to maintain my composure as best I could.

"I don't know if I should say. He's with you in the car." JoJo commented warily. Really? You pique my curiosity and then you don't follow through on what you're about to say? Thanks.

"So? Just tell me! I'd like to know!" I pushed, hoping that it wasn't bad things.

"So...apparently from what I've heard he's been seeing someone." My heart dropped. Wait, maybe she's talking about me? Don't get too downhearted about it just yet.

"What do you mean seeing someone?" I asked, my heart pounding. What was she going to say next?

"So remember that crazy blonde chick on the beach? Apparently Jordan saw her just this morning. Didn't you check his Twitter?" Oh god.

"Yeah I was with him when it happened. We were at Starbucks." I said plainly, unsure of what JoJo was trying to go for.

"No. Way earlier. Like six in the morning." I was still asleep apparently. My smile disappeared in an instant and all of the blood drained from my face.

"Are you okay?" I heard Jordan ask but I didn't answer him.

"Are you sure?" My voice cracking. Holding back tears was nearly impossible. And here I thought he was different from the rest.

"I'm so sorry, Audrey. I shouldn't be the one to tell you, but he hasn't been very honest with you either it seems." It would make sense now though. My god. He had a lot of explaining to do.

"I gotta go. Thank you." And with that I hung up. Jordan looked concerned but a smile was on his face. Without another word we had pulled onto a gravel road, the terrain once again green and lush. Trees stood proud and tall on either side, wind blowing through the leaves rather strongly.

"What's up?" He asked me again and I stared straight ahead. My world came crashing down just as soon as it had started rebuilding. I knew this was too good to be true.

"Why are we here?" I asked none too gently. I was angry without a doubt and it was plain to hear in my voice.

"I...wanted to show you this really cool area...what's wrong?" I sighed and looked out at the ever hardening down fall of the rain showers. What a fitting scene.

"You're going out with Riley? Why didn't you tell me?!" I yelled out. I can't believe I was that stupid and blind. So naive and full of hope.

"Wait, what?" His shock was just as plain to see and now he pulled over to the right shoulder of the gravel road. "Where is this coming from?"

"Don't even start. You thought you could just keep this from me? What even am I to you? Some sort of...play thing?" I blurted out.

"Wait...you saw the Twitter post." He commented quietly, realizing his own stupidity.

"Of course I did! How stupid do you think I am? No wonder she was so upset! God and to actually think I thought you cared." I shook my head and stared back outside, a stray tear falling onto my cheek.

"Audrey, of course I do...I...we..." He stuttered, struggling to find the appropriate words for this situation.

Without another word, I took my seatbelt off and got out of the car. I started walking away from the car, not caring I didn't know where I was or where I was going. I didn't even care that I was pretty much drenched immediately. At least it could cover the fact I was sobbing like a baby. Thunder rolled loudly in my ears, the wind howling through the trees and rain pounded through the leaves. It was sensory overload but I ignored it. What was love any more? Clearly I wasn't meant to have someone stay true. I should have seen it coming. I looked up to the dark sky and let the cool rain wash over my hot face. Lighting could strike me and I wouldn't care. At least that would take away the emotional pain he caused me.

****Hello fellow readers once again! I had a bout of writers block trying to figure out where I was going with this chapter. We're all good now of course. Again thanks for reading and your feedback and support is much appreciated!****