Reckless And Relentless [an Asking Alexandria Romance]

A Single Moment Of Sincerity

{Vivi's POV}

It had been a week since Gus and I had arrived in Westmont. It was June, my favorite month. It was just the perfect temperature outside. not too warm, not too cold. Gus had adjusted well. He had taken to doing work on the exterior of the house to pass his time. I wasn't so adaptable. 

I was simple miserable. I had no friends since my father never let me leave the yard. Though he had a computer, there was no Internet connection.

My father's close-mindedness had worsened. He had gotten to a point where he wouldnt let me eat unless I cut my hair or stopped wearing eyeliner. I refused to give in. I was starting to see the outline of my ribs. And it that wasn't enough, he was starting to turn my brother against me.

I couldn't take it anymore.

Leaving the front yard, I ran to my room. I grabbed my headphones and blasted the song that was already playing (King for a Day by Pierce the Veil ft. Kellin Quinn). I knew what I had to do. I would run away. I had to. It had been 2 years since I had last cut myself. Though many of the scars have faded, I still remembered how it felt to have to blood run down my arms. To feel the release from my emotional pain as I focused on my physical pain. I knew I would end up starting again if I didn't get out somehow. I reached into the top of my knee-high high-tops and pulled out the roll of cash. It would be enough to rent a motel room for a couple of nights. Then I could get my head straight, and figure out what I was going to do.

Running to the office, I grabbed a notepad and a pen. I wrote only two simple words

I'm done.

Folding the note in my hand, I went up to my room to wait for everyone to fall asleep.

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It was eerily dark when I put the note on the kitchen table.

The door screeched when I opened it. 

One second I was praying for no one to wake up, the next I was looking into the confused eyes of my kid brother.

"What are you doing Vivi?"

"I-I-I'm-I'm... leaving, Gus."

"But, why?" I could see the sadness and loss already start to grow inside of him. We had never been that close, but we had an unspoken bond that only we could understand.

"I can't do it anymore. You can see how miserable I've been. I can't take it."

I paused to give him one last hug.

"I don't know what's gonna happen, Gus, but you take care of yourself. I promise I'll see you again. I promise."

He hid his teary eyes from me, and then simply smiled and waved goodbye.

I walked heavily through to front door, and got into the drivers seat of my dad's work truck. Taking the spare key out of the glove compartment, I drove away. Not daring to look back.

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Before I knew where I was, I had arrived In Omaha. I found a super 8 and went inside to see the cost of a single room for 1 night. Not hearing or caring the price I handed the receptionist $75, took my room key and headed up the stairs.