Bonds and Attachments

Chapter 7

Francis pulls over to another motel. "One and a half more days of driving and we'll be there," Francis tells Alexa, to which she nods to.

"How are you feeling?" Francis checks, wanting the other girl to feel better. "You alright?"

"Better in ages because I'm with you," Alexa says and smiles in reaction to Francis's wide eyes. "But yes, I'm alright."

"Can I see the pictures of the sunset that you took from your phone? I am terrible at taking pictures."

"Sure," Francis says, looking up from his laptop. "Just take my phone."

Alexa walks to the other side of the hotel room and turns on the screen to his lock screen. Alexa notices Francis and another woman beaming, and asks, "Who is this woman that you are with?"

"Oh, that's my sister, Megan. She lives on the other side of the world," Francis explains, sighing. "I miss her more than she does miss me."

Alexa plops down on the motel bed, his phone in her hand. "What makes you think so?"

"Well, she has a whole other life there. She has a husband, two children, successful job, good social life...she doesn't have time to miss me. And besides, we have been drifting apart and we still are."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, our parents were always away because of their jobs, so we became lonely and realised that we only had each other so we became extremely close. We did everything together and told everything to each other. I trusted her with my life then and still now, but suddenly it all changes. She became popular out of a sudden and then she is rarely home because of her social life and I became lonely once again, but honestly, I didn't really care because it was nice. Then she came to my room when I was studying and told me that she was invited to a party and realised that I was going to be alone for the rest of the day, so she wanted to fill the hours of the rest of the day. So, I just thought, what the hell, and went with her. Then the party happened, and I was obviously alone because I knew no one there. Then, there was this loud and outgoing blonde boy who approached me and decided to be my friendly wingman for the night."

"Jay," Alexa concludes.

Francis nods, staring at his screen without looking intently then he sighs. "The rest, as they say, is history."

Alexa plops down on the motel bed. "Did you pack a dress?" Francis asks as he places her medium-sized baggage on a platform specifically for luggage. "Because it seems like you placed it somewhere else, and certainly not in this luggage.

Alexa smirks. "Oh, just you wait. I will look so hot that I will sweep you off your feet,"

"But you already are sweeping me off my feet," Francis protests, sitting down on the bed next to her.

Alexa beams and reaches forward to kiss the boy.

Lynn takes a deep breath. "We're actually doing this," She breathes, and Lucas slings his arms around her and squeezes.

"I'm proud of you guys for it," Lucas beams and pats Brian's shoulders supportively. "I'm here for you guys every step of the way."

Lynn wraps her arms around his torso and looks up at Lucas like a little sister looking proud of his older brother. "Thank you for being with us, you're like a brother to us."

Lucas beams wider. "You have no idea how glad that makes me feel."

His phone rings, a call from an unknown number. "Hello?" he calls into the phone when he picks it up. "Who is this?"