Closer - A Connections Sequel [Ongoing]

Thirty seven

Sommer P.O.V.

"Poor Val," I sighed sadly. My heart ached for the sweet girl. "She doesn't deserve any of this. She's too damn good for this disaster of a world."

"Yeah," Xavier agreed quietly, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "I hope they'll be okay. That shit was fucked."

I chewed on my lip. "I really hope so too... and yeah I mean, a stalker and a kidnapping? That's definitely not a normal situation to have to deal with in any relationship. And all in the public eye aswell."

"Not to mention all the gunshots and blood and mayhem." Xavier murmured. "That's got to be terrifying."

I nodded. "I feel so anxious even thinking about it. But she went through that. And so did Carter. Apparently he watched it all happen."

"That's freaking crazy." Xavier shook his head in disbelief.

"Yeah," I sighed deeply once again. "I'm so stressed out. And I feel even worse about being stressed out."

"Why?" He questioned with a frown. "Stress is normal, don't feel bad about it."

"No," I shook my head. "Like we all went through this absolute nightmare, but Carter and Valerie has the absolute worst of it. And then there's Alexys... she's not okay, Xav. She's hiding things from Jess and I and she doesn't look well, but she's pretending as if nothing's wrong. We're not sure what to do. And yet, I'm the one that still feels awful, when I don't have any good reasons to be down, nothing's exactly happening to me."

He rubbed my arm. "You care that's why. It's perfectly fine to feel this way. And what do you think it is?" Xavier frowned deeply. "An eating disorder or...?"

"Possibly." I murmured. "But also I think it might not be an isolated issue. Like there could be multiple things contributing to whatever is going on with her..."

"Shit," he laid back, rubbing his head. "What can I do to help you then Soms? I don't want you to be stressed."

I shot him a small smile. "Thanks Xav... but I don't know. I can't stop thinking about it. I feel like I should be doing more to support them but... I don't know what."

"Sommer, you're a good friend, you know that? You're literally always there for everyone whenever they need it. You're always there. Things are going to be okay. We just have to stay strong for whenever they can't be." He encouraged, giving my hand a tight squeeze.

"Geez, that was very thoughtful of you, very deep." I laughed.

"Hey!" He protested. "You know up in this big head, there are a few wise old brain cells too."

I chuckled softly and leaned my head down on his shoulder. "Thanks Xav."

"You're welcome." He smiled, eyes twinkling. I wonder how he always did that. He was always so energetic and bright, he never carried with him the dark, soul-sucking look in his eyes. They were always light and glimmering. "So anyway, before all this drama happened... I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go on a trip."

"A trip?" I cocked an interested eyebrow.

He nodded. "Yeah, with me somewhere."

"Oh wow... um," I pulled my lower lip into my mouth. "That's a lot."

"A lot as in... too fast or too much? Or a lot right now...?" He said slowly.

"Uh, I don't know. It just might not be a good idea?"

He frowned disappointedly. "Oh... okay... that's um okay."

"Xav..." I took his hand and locked my fingers through his. "I want to go with you... it's just I'm unsure about right now, I guess. It's a little overwhelming."