Prologue One:
Alexia.
Four years earlier.
Alexia Parkinson stared out at the ocean, staring straight at where the starry, midnight sky touches the ocean's water. The air was cold, with a slight breeze and gently hit Alexia's face, waving her hair around. She sighed, and started drawing patterns in the sand.
“Lexi?” David asked, walking up slowly behind her.
Alexia didn’t move; she continued to stare out at the ocean. The darkness of the night covered a large majority of her face, shielding her emotion from him.
“Lexi, come on." He said, both concerned and frustrated, "Speak.”
He got no answer; no response at all. Sighing, he sat down next to her. Staring out at the ocean too.
There was silence between the two for a good while. The sound of the ocean's waves washing up on the Earth's shore.
“He said he hated something and I didn’t understand.” Alexia whispered, after too long of silence.
David looked at her but she continued to look out at the ocean.
“It’s not your fault, Lexi.” David tried to reassure.
She looked at him, her eyes slightly red from crying, “Isn’t it?" She asked, her voice breaking a little, "He asked for my help and I didn’t listen.”
David closed his eyes before speaking again, “It’s not your fault.”
“Yes it is!” She snapped.
David sighed, looking back to the ocean. It almost looked black, reflecting the night sky of above. The full moon shone bright, giving the pair a decent amount of light to see. And the stars spoke from the heavens.
“He’d hit you for saying that.” David said, looking at Alexia again.
Alexia didn’t answer.
“Not that he’d actually hit you hard enough to make much of a difference but…” David said, with a minimal sense of humour.
Alexia chuckled quietly and shook her head. “I should have known something was wrong. He didn’t seem…happy.”
“You couldn’t have known.” David said, " I think-"
Alexia cut him off, “You noticed his behaviour, right? He didn’t laugh as much. He lost interest in everything besides his music. He seemed so lost.”
“Not really.” David said, a little disgusted with himself, “ I was barely home to notice. I was always…out.”
“He gave you his old guitar and told you to start playing again.” Alexia reminded.
“Yeah, but I just thought it was just because he got a new one for his birthday.” David mumbled.
Alexia looked up at the moon and lied back on the sand, thinking.
' Alexia sat leaning back against a tree, facing the local skate park, when Liam rode up and, close to fell down on the ground, next to the tree. Alexia looked up, watching a few of the skaters flying around the ramps.
" Are you coming to Zane's?" He asked, sitting back up and leaning on the tree next to Alexia.
Alexia frowned, "No." She said, looking at him.
Liam blinked at her with confusion, " But it's a party..?"
Alexia rolled her eyes at him, ‘“Okay, last time you convinced me into going to a party, I ended up babysitting you lot.” Alexia complained, referring to Liam and a few other members of the group that the two hang out with.
“Yes but this time no drinking.” Liam promised.
“I’ve heard that before.” Alexia mumbled, "You're all older than me, and none of you have the sense to be mature but a few things."
"Hey!" Liam said, offended, "We're just having fun."
Alexia rolled her eyes again, "You can have fun without getting blackout drunk." She mumbled.
Liam ignored her comment, “Please.” He pleaded.
“No.”
“Come on. Just for a few hours.” Liam suggested.
“Yeah…no.” Alexia ended, standing up, fixing her beanie and picking up her board.
“It's Zane’s birthday.” Liam reminded.
“Yes," Alexia nodded, "And Zane’s a dick.”
Liam sighed, “It’s a party.” He stated.
“And I don’t care.” Alexia informed.
“Alexia.” Liam complained,
“Liam.” Alexia said firmly back.
“Fine, I’m still going.” He informed.
“Okay but don't call me when something happens.” Alexia said.
“Nothing’s going to happen.” He said, rolling his eyes.
“Again: I’ve heard that before.”
Alexia jumped on her board and started riding down the street and Liam jumped up and on his board to catch up.
“Really, what’s the worse that has ever happened?” He asked, when he was roughly next to her.
“Dude, last time I got caught up in your mess, you had me running from cops!” '
“Lexi?” David said trying to get Alexia’s attention, waving a hand in front of her face, “Alexia!”
“What?” Alexia startled, sitting up again, flicking sand out of her hair.
“We should head back home.” David suggested.
Alexia looked around at the empty beach, “Yeah, probably.”
David stood up and held out his hand to help Alexia stand up. The two walked back towards David and Liam's house. David tried to brush the sand off his jacket and jeans.
“Next time you run off," He said, "can you not come to the beach?” He asked, irritated by the sand caught in his jeans. Alexia laughed, and they kept walking, heading back to his.
