Bittersweet Endings

Chapter Eight

The sun peaked above the horizon waking me from my slumber. I was still underneath the tree, cold and not feeling any better than I did last night. Everything came crashing back, what on earth will I do? I did not want to marry Scott, yes there was a chance I still loved the guy but if anything was going to happen it would be on my terms not getting told that we were getting married. We don't know each other anymore, before a few days ago I was under the impression that I was never going to see him again. Thinking about it the best thing for me to do would be to find somewhere else to stay for a few days, to think about everything without having anyone pressuring me. There was so much to think about. I knew just the place to do my thinking.

Sliding my phone out of my pocket I dialed a familiar number and it only took three rings before they answered.

"Hey, it's me. Can I come stay with you for a few days?" I asked.

"Of course, you don't even have to ask you know that. Do you have enough money to get here?" The person replied.

"Yeah I can get there. I need to talk to you about some things when I get there. I'll be there in about three hours." I replied.

"Alright. Travel safe, I'll see you when you get here." They said before hanging up.

This was the only person who knew everything about me, the only person that I could trust with everything that I have. I met him when I first moved here, a few months later they moved but we had kept in touch. We told each other everything, I couldn’t tell you what it was about him that allowed me to trust him but I just knew that I could. No one knew about him, he was like my well kept secret. Not even the boys knew about him and they knew more than most. There was only thing I wasn't sure of, which is if I'll be able to hug him like I used to or not. I haven't seen him since he moved away and despite him knowing about what happened I didn't want to upset him by not hugging him.

I know he'll understand if I can't hoping to not take offence at the fact I could hug the boys. He knew about them too, along with everything we went through together. I decided to stop worrying about what may or may not happen, I would deal with it once I got there. I needed to talk to Luke about borrowing his bike for a few days since I still hadn't had a chance to buy my own yet, and when he hopefully says yes I'll sneak into my house get some clothes and other essentials and off I go.

I stood up and stretched, walking over to the water. Kneeling down I splashed my face, waking myself up just a little more. Then I dialed Luke's number, hoping that he would answer, given that it was early I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't. I was just about to give up when I heard his sleepy voice on the other end of the line.

"Hey there better be a good damn reason why you're ringing me at this hour of the morning." he growled through the phone.

"I'm sorry for ringing so early. I was just wondering if I could borrow your bike for a few days. I can't go home at the moment and there's someone I really want to see right now. I'll give you anything you want." I replied.

"Sorry for growling. Of course you can borrow it. I'll tell you what I want in repayment when you get here." He replied.

"It's okay, I wouldn't have blamed you if you didn't answer. I shouldn't have rang so early. Alright. I'll see you soon." I said before hanging up.

I started walking back towards town, slowly there was no rush. It would take around an hour or so to get to where I needed to go which gave me at least two hours to successfully get my stuff together and do anything else I needed to do. The main reason I was walking slowly was because I knew that Luke would have gone back to sleep as soon as I hung up the phone. It was only the polite thing to do is give him an extra half an hour or so of sleep. I tried not to let my thoughts wander as I walked, that was the last thing I needed to do. I had to wait until I was with my friend and talk it through with them, then everything will be less confusing.

I kept my head down as I reached the town limits, I was sure they had people out looking for me, as without me they would lose the financial security for the companies. They won't find me where I'm going. I highly doubted my mother even remembers him, let alone knows where he lives now. I was just about to turn into Luke's street when I saw a police car approaching. I continued to keep my head down, thinking that I was caught for sure but they kept on driving. I rounded the corner onto Luke's street and quickly made my way to Luke's house and up the front steps.

I knocked on the door, making sure it wasn't too loud. I knew that Luke's mum would be up and about to head to work so she would let me in. Although a few seconds later I was surprised to find Luke opening the door waiting for me, keys in hand and a smile on his face. I was beginning to get suspicious and anyone who knew Luke would not blame me, he hates getting up early with a passion and yet here he is smiling at me, it makes no sense. Granted nothing about my life right now makes sense.

"Hi." I said, however it came out more as a question.

"Morning." He replied, the smile on his face getting even bigger.

"Okay, what's up with you? You're never this happy in the mornings, especially on a school day and even more so because I woke you up early." I asked.

"Well one because I convinced my mum to let me have the day off, and two because of what you're going to help me with. Come inside." He replied.

I gave him a questioning look but let it go for now and walked inside. His mum was busy in the kitchen, I yelled a quick hello and walked down the hallway and into Luke's room. A few seconds later he joined me.

"What does the almighty Luke need my help with?" I asked with a smirk.

"You're going to tell Megan that we're hanging out here this afternoon. As far as she will know you're going to be here too because you know she won't come without you. I know you won't be at school so you're going to have to come up with something incredibly convincing to get her over here. If you wouldn't mind." He replied.

"You're going to ask her out?" I questioned.

He didn't need to reply because the cheeky grin that covered his face said it all.

"About damn time. Don't worry she will here. You must be planning something else especially if you're not going to school today. I'm not going to ask, I'll get the details later on. Is that all you need from me?" I said.

"Yeah, and look after the bike while you have it. I want it back in one piece." He replied.

"Don't worry, I will. If you don't need anything else I'm going to head off I still need to sneak into my house and get some stuff." I said, standing up.

"That's fine, I've still got some stuff to do myself. I'll see you when you get back and if your parents ask, I haven't seen you." He said chucking me the bike keys.

"Thanks." I replied.

I grabbed his jacket and keys as I walked out.

I got on the bike and took off slowly, I still had no shoes on. I just had to figure out how I was going to get into my house. I turned down my street and saw no cars in the driveway, this meant everyone had left for work or were out looking for me. However you could never be too careful. I parked the bike a little way down the street. I walked down out neighbour's driveway and then jumped their fence into our backyard.

I snuck in the backdoor and up to my room. Just in case someone was home. Although there was a strong chance they heard me come in. I locked my bedroom door behind me and grabbed my backpack off the ground. Emptying the text books onto my bed I began to pull some clothes out of my cupboard and putting them into my bag. Once I was sure I had enough clothes I grabbed anything I else I needed, lucky I was one of those girls that knew to pack light. I quickly scanned my room again and made sure I had everything I needed. Once I was sure I opened my sliding door and walked out on to the balcony, sure I could sneak out this way but it was harder to sneak in this way. I climbed down and jumped the neighbours fence again.

I got back onto the bike and took off down the street. There was a gas station just out of town so I pulled up there on the way, grabbing a drink, something to eat and fuel. Paying for all the I hit the road again. I cruised along the highway, behaving myself and doing the speed limit. Knowing that I didn’t want to get pulled over, there would be a strong chance that they know who I am. I wouldn't put it past them to have called the police.

An hour later I hit the town that I wanted to be in, another relatively small place but it was classed as a city. Another twenty minutes of weaving my way through the streets I pulled up out the front of the apartment building and got off the bike. Even though I hadn't even seen him yet I could feel my whole body relaxing. I knew that he would be able to help me make the right decision. I walked over to the doors and hit the intercom.

"Who is it?" The voice asked.

"It's me." I said, the door buzzed and I made my way up the stairs, I knew he had lift but I enjoyed the exercise.

I knocked on the door, I could hear shuffling from the other side. The place was probably a mess, but I didn't care about that it was him that I was here to see. A minute later the door opened and I didn't let myself think about it, I just did the first thing that came to mind. I hugged him. It shocked us both but I knew I did the right thing. Stepping back I realised he hadn't changed at all just looked older.

"It's good to see you again Tristan, I've missed you" I said before letting myself in.