Miles Away (A Squad Fanfiction)

Chapter 9

[A/N: sorry, it's a long A/N but please read all of it! I was going to put it in the end but it'll ruin the mood. Guys, I'm uploading 3 chapters in a row is because after this update, I might go for longer period of time without updating (3-7 days) because school has started and I already have an insurmountable amount of homework, it's absolutely insane! I'm not sloping, I promise, but I just can't survive if I continue to sleep at like 2am and wake up at 7am to work my butt off. Sorry guys, but once I get my school schedule back on track, my updates should go back to the regular "every 2 days". Also, my A/Ns WILL be deleted after the book is completed, just so ya'll know.]

I flushed pink as I faked a cough, embarrassed. "N-No, Tes. What makes you say that?" I laughed awkwardly. My friend smirked at me. Really, Lexus Olivia Cullen?" My cheeks flushed. "I'll call you when I'm free, Tes. Bye." I cut the call before she could react.

I groaned, covering my face with my hands for a moment before removing them.

"Lexi?" Ariel asked me. I looked at him. Suddenly, everything just five minutes ago began coming back to me. James finding me, cornering me, kissing me. Ariel fighting him, Ben calming me down, George standing by. Me separating James and Ariel, talking back to James, Ben threatening James. I gasped and cringed away from him a little, suddenly feeling vulnerable, weak and scared.

Come on, girl. Are you serious? This is Ariel we're talking about. I mentally chided myself, forcing myself to relax again.

"Sorry. I was just paranoid..." I sighed, my shoulders slumping. He nodded. "It's fine. Do you want to talk about it tonight?" I looked at him, suddenly alert. "No no. Just the two of us. I'm moving back into my room, remember?" He reminded me. I nodded. "Ok, fine."

When George and Ben made it back, George gave me a loose hug, knowing that I wouldn't want to be hugged tightly after what just happened. "I'll murder his face next time I see him." He growled. I laughed shakily. "You're a little scary, George." "Oh, you think?" He retorted with a scoff before shaking his head. "Are you ok, Lexi?" He murmured. "I'm fine, George. Don't be such a big brother." I attempted to chuckle, holding back the tears that were threatening to spill. "Let's go home, ok?"

- - ❁ - -

This time, even the roar of my Gallardo couldn't divert my thoughts.

Ariel had one hand on the wheel and and one on the gearstick, his eyes focused on the road ahead, navigating the Lambo with a confidence I wish I had now.

Knowing George, I wasn't surprised when his golden R8 picked up speed and overtook us for a bit on the lane beside us, letting out a few loud pops. I knew George was trying to cheer me up. He knew how much of a difference a rev or pop could do to my mood, knowing my love for cars. But this time, I just couldn't react to it.

Ariel glanced at me through my rear mirror. "You good, Lexi?"

"Do I look good?" I asked him glumly. Ariel removed his hand from the gearstick for a moment and reached over, taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "All the wounds will be washed clean after time has passed." He promised me. I stared at the control panel between us.

"I hope so."

- - ❁ - -

I was sitting on the bed in Ariel's room, legs crossed, after dinner. We had moved the air mattress next to the bed. I had just finished showering and was now waiting for Ariel to finish.

Ariel stepped out of the bathroom, his hair damp but not dripping wet. He was wearing a simple sweatshirt and some comfortable shorts. I moved over on the bed to allow him more space, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. Suddenly, I felt proud of myself for being so strong in front of James just now.

"Alright Lexi. How do you want to do this?" Ariel asked me. "I don't know. Probably in some comfortable position that you can hug me because there's going to be a lot of crying."I laughed drily. Ariel didn't oppose when I cuddled up to him. I already felt another lump forming in my throat. Just seeing Ariel get out of the shower room like that already reminded me of how James used to do that.

I would smile at him and giggle when he pounced onto the bed. He would hug me tightly as he asked how was my week. And as I told him how horrible my week went, he would kiss the top of my head from time to time. To know that he had cheated on me...

"There's just so many things to say about him, I don't know where to start." I admitted to Ariel. "Just start with his name." Ariel told me, wrapping his arm loosely around me.

The normal me wouldn't do anything reckless like this. Hugging my crush? I probably would've panicked right on the spot. But this is the depressed me. One that needs comforting. And also one that had just taken a couple shots of weak alcohol.

[A/N: ok so uh, drinking alcohol under 21 yrs old is technically illegal under Florida state laws, but just let it slide here coz I need Lexi to drink something that has that kind of effect. Please be reminded that you cannot take alcohol under 21 (in US) thanks. I dont want to promote the wrong idea here.]

I lay my head against his chest, my arm draped around him. "His name is James." I began. "James Anderson, and he used to be my ex and is my first boyfriend."

"James and I dated for about a year. I was year 4 back then. A stupid and innocent school girl who was willing to fall in love, even if I didn't know what it meant to be in love." I took a deep breath. "James was a charming boyfriend and I loved him wholeheartedly, despite the rumours that he was a playboy. I loved him so much, I thought he loved me as much too. I thought we would grow old together." I shook my head with a sarcastic laugh. "You have no idea how wrong I was. I wouldn't blame myself for thinking that way back then, though. The sweet things he did..."