Stolen {Under Major Editing}

*Chapter 22- Remember Not To Forget

Alexa's POV

We were about halfway into the drive, and Blake told me we had to travel incredibly far to make sure the police had no somewhat connection to Xander. He told me Xander had bribed quite a few policemen near his mansion. He also told me that the whole time at the mansion, we were in Missouri. This was shocking since I live in Florida. Florida. Almost a twelve hour difference. That's insane.

It had been very quiet the drive after that, and definitely awkward. Neither of us have said anything for nearly 5 hours. I took a nap earlier, well tried to. I only slept for a half hour before waking up from the nightmare. It also didn't help that I get carsick easily.

I decided now to tell him how I felt about all of this. I don't know why I felt now would be a good time but I did and I'm going to get it over with. I just hope he doesn't show any self pity. I hate when people do that, yet I can't help doing it myself sometimes.

"Blake..." I say quietly, still looking out of the window at the quickly passing cars and green fields. He doesn't respond, and I'm not sure if it is because he didn't hear me or is ignoring me. I decide on the latter.

"Blake." I say, a bit louder, turning to look at him. It's only now I truly notice how tired he is. He has large bags under his eyes and they're barely hanging open. I can't help but feel bad for him. The black clothes are now a gross brown-green from dirt and you can hardly see the black anymore. The hat has long since disappeared, leaving his hair a tangled mess and going across his forehead.

The car was suprisingly nice inside, with black leather seats and a touch screen control system. It was a bit dirty, and it definitely has gotten more dirty since we have gotten in. I don't doubt that the seats are covered with grime from our clothes.

"Alexa? Alexa? Hello? You okay?" I zone out of my thoughts and realize that Blake was talking to me. He kept looking at me and then looking back at the road continuously. I realize I had been staring at him. I turn bright red and look to the floor of the car in front of me, embarrassed.

"Alexa? Do we need to stop?" He asks again, and I quickly respond.

"No! No. It's fine. Sorry, I just got zoned into my thoughts." I stay fascinated at the ground, feeling my cheeks burning.

"Oh, alright. Well, was there something you needed to ask me? Since, you said my name and all...?" I could tell he was trying to be casual about all of this, but he was showing that he was still somewhat ashamed of what he did.

"Huh? Oh. Right... That." Out of the corner of my eye I see he turns his head and looks at me confused, hinting for me to continue, before looking at the road again. I quickly turn my head up and look at him, saying it before I can change my mind,

"I don't want you to go to jail."

He freezes, his gaze doesn't move from the road and for a moment I think he just had a stroke. He quickly proves that thought nonsense when he turns the wheel and parks the car at the side of the road. He doesn't say anything, and doesn't direct his gaze away from straight ahead.

"I never did. I know about what I said earlier, but I don't want you to leave. I may not be ready for any... Uhm... Romantic things... But that doesn't mean I want you, my best and only friend, to leave me." I say it slowly, and wait for him to respond. When he doesn't, I decide to continue.

"I do like you Blake. I like you so much and I always have since the 9th grade. I know that sounds corny and maybe a bit creepy but it's true." I can't help but ramble at this point. I feel the burning start in my eyes, and I don't bother holding it back.

"I-I just don't think I could handle you leaving. You're the only person I have. So please understa-" He cuts me off, but I couldn't understand what he said.

"What?"

"I'm not going anywhere." His gaze is still on the road, and his face has no emotion whatsoever displayed across it.

"Wait, excuse me?" I couldn't tell if I heard him correctly. Did he just...?

"I'm not going anywhere. Unless I am arrested, I'm going to stay right here, with you." He turns to look at me now, and his face is no longer emotionless. The complete opposite. It displays so many emotions, I can't begin to read any of what it says.

"You're crying..." His eyes soften, and he reaches over and wipes the tears with the pads of his thumbs. I look down again, not knowing at all how to respond. His response shocked me.

He gently moves my head up with his hand, and I'm forced to meet his gaze again. It's quiet for a moment.

Suddenly both of his hands are wrapped around my torso and I'm enveloped in a hug. It wasn't the most comfortable, with the armrests in between us. I can't help but wrap my arms around him, my head resting against his shoulder.

"I'm sorry Blake. For earlier. I really do like you, a lot, I just need time."

"I'll wait." Is his only response.

He pulls away, and I can't help but feel a bit sad at the loss of comfort he held. Our gaze meets again, and the tears continue to fall.

"I'll wait Alexa. Even if it takes years, I'll wait. I'm sorry for everything that's happened. It must be so difficult to live with what I helped to cause, and it's going to be hard to forgive myself. But I am trying to fix it, I'm going to try my hardest to make it up to you. And if that means not turning myself in, I will."

"Thank you Blake." Is all I'm able to say. What he says leaves me without words and I can't decide whether it made me happy, sad, or both.

"No, thank you Alexa. Thank you for showing me so many things. To show me how to continue. To show me how to love. To show me how to make it better, instead of to forget."

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Word Count - 1108
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