A Way Out

Chapter 3: Bayley

Even though Nick lied, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He is my boyfriend, and I needed to trust him. I just wish I could look into his sweet, bright green eyes. To hug his strong muscular body. To see his sexy smile with dimples on each cheek and his jawline so precise. I even kind of miss the dark brown, hair. He kept it with a longer cut. He always said he didn't like to have the same cut as everyone else, and he wanted to keep it that way because he liked it. "Too much change all at once isn't good," were his exact words. He was trying to change, and we were dealing with a dead friend so it made sense. Bayley, do you hear yourself? You can't trust him. A distraction is what you need.

I grab my phone and see there's a text message from Jacob. Not Nick.

We need to talk. I think we do. We never really did talk after what happened with Nick. I want to make sure he's okay. I don't want him disappearing on me too.

Yeh, what's up?

Is there any way u can convince ur mom to come with me for a week or 2?

What? I wasn't expecting him to ask me that. He knows how overprotective my mom is. She barely lets me go down the street by myself. I can't. He knows that. Mom would never let me.

We need to get out of here. I'll explain on the way.

What do I need and when. It's probs a no but I'll try.

Money, clothes, your teddy bear. I don't know whatever you think. I'll pick you up tmr at 9am

K, will go ask now. Now, I got to go convince my mom to go. Impossible. I don't know why I'm even considering this.

I set my phone in my bed and head downstairs to meet my mom. She's on the IPad FaceTiming dad. Since he's gone on a business trip, I probably don't have to convince him. He's gone in Boston for meetings with the head of the company. I honestly don't know what he does. I talk with him for a bit and we let him go. "Hey, Mom, can I ask you something?" She looked up at me to give me her full attention. It was kind of intimidating.

"Yes, Bayls, what do you need?" She responded.

"Can I go on a road trip with Jacob for a week or two? Like tomorrow?"

"No!" She said in that high pitched voice moms do when they knew you were going to ask something stupid. I was expecting this answer. It's always no.

"Wait, mom. Can I explain?"

"Yeah, for sure, but as long as you know that it's still a no." I sigh really heavily. Why do I even try?

"Look, Jacob is going on a trip with his parents and friends. He invited me to go." I do the innocent daughter look so she couldn't tell I was lying. "I need out of this town. I got the grades you wanted and I think I deserve a vacation. Please?" I was considering the puppy dog face after the "please," but that would take away the innocent part.

"Is Nick going?" Just the sound of his name made me want to cry. I held back tears as I said,

"Nick and I aren't really on speaking terms right now."

"Oh, really? I'm sorry, sweetheart. If you wanna talk about it, I'm aways here. Isn't Jacob captain of the basketball team? Wouldn't he miss games and practices?" Shit.

"Yeah, but that's what Nick's for. He's the assistant captain. So I'm pretty sure he can handle a couple of games and practices. Actually, I'm sure he'll be over the moon about it." Good cover up, Bayls.

"I'll think about it." She said and I sighed heavily again. She goes back to playing a game for a few minutes on her phone before I ask again hopefully,

"Now, that you thought about it, can I go?"

"No." I let her think on it for half an hour then come back and ask for the third time."

"Please, can I go?"

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but fine only because you're right about you deserving it and needing out of this town part. There are parents going, right?" I nod trying to hold back the excitement. "I'm not transferring one cent to your account. You have to pay fully for it yourself. Got it?"

"Yeah, heard every word loud and clear. I'm paying for it." I smile.

"And just to let you know, I'm not too keen about this whole idea." She makes her finger in the movement of a circle. "I'll tell your father. He'll be livid, but eventually, he'll get over it."

I can't believe she actually said yes. Never in a million years did I think she'd actually let me go somewhere by myself, or I mean "with parents and friends". For some reason, I get this urge to text Jacob.

I can go. C u @ 9.

No way really!?? He responds almost instantly.

Yep, that easy!

I underestimated u then. Ur a master persuader too. I couldn't help but smile. He always found some way, even in the super awkward situations, to make us laugh.

Goodbye Jacob

Goodbye Bayley

I lay on my bed smiling. My mom walks in to say goodnight to me. I tell her I'll be leaving in the morning after she heads to work. We say our goodbyes and I start to pack. I double check everything. All good.

I lay back in bed and grab my phone. I text Nick.

Hey.

Hi. I didn't think u wanted to talk to me. You're right, but I'm doing it anyways.

I'm still upset, but I just need to know why.

I was drunk. I know you were.

That's not a good enough reason.

I felt like I needed something so I went for it. I felt like I was in control for once. Realization came into play when Alexa freaked out on me. This got me. He had been through a lot.

What ur brother did to u is something u can't just erase. U were becoming like him to protect urself. U changed Nick for the better. Sticks and stones.

I love you Bayley. I smile. I feel proud at what I'm doing. Giving Nick a chance to explain himself before I actually decide what I want to do with him. Keep or let him die in a hole. I would probably let him off the hook if it were a smaller thing. This was huge. I have to make him work for it.

U can say all u want but it isn't gonna work this time pal. U gotta earn it.

I'm gonna earn it u just wait. I laugh. He's so cocky. I leave the text and put my phone on the charger. I lay back in my bed and pull over the covers. It's gonna be so much fun to be on the road with Jacob. All the laughs and adventure. I imagine what it'll be like. I slowly drift off, close my eyes, and fall asleep.