New Hope High School || Blake Richardson

Chapter Thirteen

*McKenzie's P.O.V*

I sat on the couch surrounded by my friends for 30 minutes when I see Blake is no longer here. He probably went to get fresh air or something. But all I want is to be wrapped up in his arms and cuddling with him. He makes me feel so much better.

They all sit there supporting me, hugging me, reminding me how much they love me. I start to stand and I'm flooded with questions, "where are you going?" "What are you doing?" "Are you sure you're okay?". I just nod as a response to all of them.

I get to the bathroom and I look in the mirror. I slightly pull down my shorts and look at my hip where a few bruises once were. I had 4 on my left and 3 on my right. I remember the way his hands gripped my sides as I lay there paralyzed. The bruises were a good reminder as well, but now they have gone.

I just wanted Blake. I wanted HIS grip. I wanted his kisses. And hugs. And all his love. Where is he? I walk out of the bathroom after using it, and head outside. He isn't here, he probably went upstairs. I sit on the swing, and I hear the front door open. I was followed by my brother. He sat beside me and hugged me. I could see the tears filling his eyes. He kisses my forehead then placed my head on his chest as his arms still lay wrapped around me.

"I want you to tell me everything Kenz. You're my little sister and it's my job to protect you. I love you so much and I don't want anything to happen to you. And for that to be, you have to trust me." I just lifted my head and nodded. The gulp in my throat was too big to talk.

Reece ruined the moment of silence. "Um. Kenz. I don't mean to frighten you. But Blake's car is gone..." I jerk out of his hold and quickly turn around to see Blake's car isn't at his house.

We flood his phone with messages and calls but he doesn't answer any of them. Reece hops in his car and began to drive around while George and Hannah stay with me.

I don't want to worry about him but I have to. Who knows how reckless he is right now. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have told him. We have absolutely No clue where he is or where he could be. He could be dead for all I know. And it's all my fault.

After more crying, I fell asleep. And I'm
Not sure how considering Blake is not here. But I did. And when I woke, Reece was at the foot of my bed. "Hey sorry I didn't mean to wake you. I just wanted to check on you." He said, his voice shaky. "Yeah no. It's okay. How's Blake? You did find him...right?" He sighs. Looking at the ground.

"Do you know what time it is?" We both look towards the clock on my nightstand. "3:28 am" it read. "Woah. Why are you awake?" He sighed once again. "Follow me.."

He pulled me out of bed and down the stairs. Blake was wrapped in many blankets, fast asleep on the couch. "We found him. He was in an accident but only his car was damaged. He is fine. He has a few minor injuries but nothing that won't heal. When we found him, he was asleep on a park bench. His car was still sitting in the middle of the road where the accident left it."

I gasp in shock. What? How? Why? Where? Who? What? All these questions flashed through my head. "You said he is okay? Right?" I said sitting by his legs on the couch. I place my hand on his arm and his lips gently. "Yes. He is okay. But he has to fill out an accident report. Since the damage was on the passenger side of the car,we think he must have drifted into the other lane." He said sadly. "I just wanted to let you know, im going to go back to bed now. Love you Kenz."

Oh god. I can't even imagine. I'm so glad he's okay. But what was he doing?

I run my fingers through his hair and curl up next to him on the couch. After falling asleep again for hours, I woke up around 10 am. Im awake in his arms just watching him sleep, when he finally woke up. "Hey there beautiful." He said with his raspy morning voice. He placed a kiss on my nose then closed his eyes again.

"What were you doing last night?" His eyes flew open once again. "Um just driving babe. I needed to think." I didn't believe him. "No secrets. Remember? You can tell me everything." He knew I was right. He pursed his lips and looked at the ceiling causing our eye contact to break.

"I went to Jackson's..." he said quickly but caring. wait what. "You what?" I sat up quickly. "How could you? Why would you? Why didn't you tell me?" I was mad. Not even just at him. Just mad in general.

"Babe he needed to get what he deserves!!" Now I was mad at him. "What did you do!" I quickly stood up. "Nothing. Nothing, Kenz." He said grabbing my arm and sitting up, reassuring me it would be okay. "His family was there. I couldn't do anything."

I could look at him. "How could you?" I said trying to hold back the tears. "It's my job to protect you. And he hurt you. I couldn't just sit back and watch it happen!" He was trying to calm me down but I walked away from him and began pacing behind the couch.

"It is not your job to protect me. It's your job to love me. And listen to me. And care for me. Not to PROTECT me." I'm hurting but I don't know if it's because of Jackson or Blake. I think it's everything at this point.

"Listen. I'm sorry. I just told him I knew what he did. No one got hurt. I—" he looks sympathetic.

"Don't. You could have died Blake! You were 3 feet away from the car hitting a spot that could have affected you a lot more than it did. You're so lucky. So lucky. I can't believe you right now. You act like everything's fine but you literally just made everything the exact opposite. I can't even look at you right now. Forget us. I cant believe you would do this to me. It's my story. Not yours. I will handle things when I'm ready. Not when YOU'RE ready." I ran upstairs and into my brothers room, where he lay in his bed on his phone.

"Hey what's up sis?" I was crying so hard that I couldn't even talk. I just wanted to go on a walk. I want to escape everything for a little bit. "Can we go?" I blurted our before anything else could come to my mind.

"Go where?" He asked sitting up wiping a tear from my cheek. "Remember that place we would always escape to when mom and dad would fight?" He laughed as he remembered what I was talking about. The gulp in my throat started choking me up.

His face went from pure excitement to complete disappointment. "Kenz. The lot that it used to be on... they built apartments on top of it a few years back. It's not there anymore. I'm so sorry."

Reece and I would always escape to this place a couple blocks away. Even though we lived in the middle of the city, this place was completely different. There were tons of trees and an abandoned treehouse. It may seem creepy, but it wasn't. It was quiet and nice. It was super pretty and we would go there probably a couple times a week for many years. It was our getaway place.

"Well then let's find somewhere new!" I grab his arm and run downstairs and out the door. Leaving Blake alone downstairs. He was the last thing on my mind. Who cares if he's suffering. He deserves it.

Reece and I wander the streets for about an hour before we find a little area near a park that was a good spot for hiding out. It was nothing like our place before, but it was good enough. We sat there for hours, talking, laughing, and just remembering the good times. I cried in his arms a bit and he teared up himself.

After hours, we finally head back home. When we walking in the door, Blake was no longer there. But what do I care? Reece makes us toast as I run upstairs to get ready for bed, considering it was almost 1:30 am.

We eat and watch some tv just enjoying each others company before we both crash on the couch. Wow. What a day. Am I right?