More Than Just Surviving

Settle

Alicia's POV
I can't remember the last time I was in this state of peace. As ridiculous as it sounds considering we're in a car being led by a pretty blonde the same age as me and her friends is not what I had expected when this broke through. And it is surprising my mother trusted them enough to go with them. I suppose we are all over this shit and hoped to see a semi permanent place to rest.

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"Okay I know I have the key somewhere. Just feel free to sit I'll find it in no time." Elyza said motioning me over to the couches in the corner of her room. Nodding I walked over and sat down. The room was fairly spacious and contained paint stains in the most random places as well as a mural of the stars against one wall. It did however go with the blondes personality. Peering out the window I was taken back by the ocean view and felt somewhat disheveled unintentionally thinking about Matt and the last destination we were meant to see each other. Blinking back tears I looked over to Elyza who rummaged through a box of brushes on the desk in the other corner until she proudly held up a key card.
"This way" she motioned walking out of her room and walking to the left then unlocking it.
Walking in I would not have imagined the room next door would have been decorated by the same person. White sheets covered the bed as opposed to black fluffy ones and the walls has framed paintings of different flowers surrounding the room and were seen to be painted with such care.
"Wow. This is amazing." I sputtered dropping my bag on the desk and my jacket on the seat.
"Right? I could have been an interior designer I suppose." Elyza joked handing me the key card and putting her hands in her back pockets.
"I'll let your mother know what room you're in and vise versa. I suppose you want to freshen up so I will leave you to it. We have dinner in two hours but feel free to look around. And if you need anything don't be shy I got you covered."
"Thank you Elyza. I appreciate it" Receiving a smile and a nod in return Elyza turned and walked out closing the door behind her. Sighing and unpacking what I brought I opted to shower. Fascinated by the warm water I stood there for what felt like hours. Changing quickly after into comfortable clothing I had grabbed in the strip mall earlier. Taking out my journal from my backpack I opened the desk drawers and chuckled pulling out two candles. Setting the journal under the candles and made sure everything was put away. Turning to the bed pure bliss is all that was felt as soon as my head hit the soft pillow. This is all I wanted, so simple yet so incredibly satisfying now.
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"Alicia?"
"She may not be in here."
"Of course she's in here Elyza said she hasn't seen her leave... Alicia!" Waking up to banging on the door from the voice of my mother brings flashbacks of simpler times. When we worried about nothing other than waking up in time for school. A groan instantly leaves my mouth after standing up and trudging towards the door.
"Hey Alicia! Nice room! Mine isn't this nice. How about a trade?" Ophelia says playfully pushing past me and plopping on the bed.
"Honey they say dinner is ready we should make our way down there"
"Actually! Allison since we're new here Raven invited us to the lounge where everyone hangs out she wants us to meet everyone. There will be food there." Nodding and snapping out of my daze I looked over to my mother who gave me a questioning gaze.
"What?" I ask
"I think that will be good for you, meeting people your age. You girls deserve to experience something this normal." Mom chuckled. Walking out of the door Ophelia popped up from the bed and followed her. Putting the keycard in my back pocket and making sure I didn't look like I had just slept for three hours I followed.
"Hey! Are you coming to the lounge?" Jumping at the voice I turned to meet Elyza, dressed in an oversized sweater and ripped blue jeans although simple she looked gorgeous. Feeling my cheeks getting red I cleared my throat and nodded.
"I am. Although, I didn't get invited personally so I feel like I might be intruding." Chuckling Ophelia shook her head and walked further down the hall.
"Oh! No I was going to invite you, I was hoping I would get a visit from you so I could tell you earlier but I heard an impromptu nap happened, and for that I don't blame you. But by all means please grace us with your presence." With an overly enthusiastic tone that came of as sarcastic my eyebrow instantly quirked up. Looking at her facial features trying to access if the tone was hostile or not and determining it wasn't I chuckled and nodded.
"Then won't you please lead the way? I still need a better tour of this place. Can I change my tour guide? I think she's terrible at this." I smirked as Elyza made an offended sound and placing her hand on her chest.
"I'll have you know I am the best of the best, I will get you that tour don't you worry about that." Turning on her heal Elyza marched away from me after a second turning to face me.
"Well come on, the food is going to get cold." With her eyebrow quirked up Elyza waited holding the door open at the end of the hall. Letting out a sigh I nodded and walked over to her and through the door.

Reaching the lounge both Elyza and Alicia had eyes on them. Rolling her eyes Elyza motioned Alicia to the table with plates with food already on them handing one to her and taking one for herself.
"It seems like someone made herself at home." Alicia chuckled looking at Ophelia who sat next to Raven laughing along with another blonde and a group of people.
"Everyone finds themselves here one way or another" Elyza smiled nodding them over to sit at the same table.
"Alicia you've met Raven, this is Anya her girlfriend." Elyza motioned over to the girls who sat in front of her feeling slightly intimidated as Anya eyed her up and down then nodded and going back to her food.
"Everyone else this is Alicia." Elyza said as the group sauntered hi's and hellos.
"The girl next to Anya is Harper, and then there's Bellamy, and you've kinda met Jasper and Monty. Then Octavia of course." Elyza said quietly motioning to the people she spoke of.
Nodding Alicia took a bite of her food and sighed happily, she had never appreciated mashed potatoes so much until this moment.
"So are you guys joining us at the beach tomorrow?" Raven asked with a mouthful of food causing Anya to release a disgusted scoff and shake her head while slowly looking down as if disappointed causing Elyza to chuckle.
"The beach? So you're finally taking my advice?" Elyza asked spooning a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth.
"I've begged Abby so many times to let us go that she got annoyed and told me we could actually! We just have to take Lincoln and Bell." Sticking her tongue out at Elyza before digging back into her food.
"Well that's great" Octavia grumbled earning an eruption of laughter from the group.
"So Alicia and Ophelia how did you happen to stumble all the way over to Mexico? It's a long way from home." Bellamy asked although his face was trying to come off as friendly with a smile his tone opposed with hostility. Rolling her eyes Elyza placed her hand on Alicia's shoulder.
"You don't have to answer that yet." Looking over at Ophelia she pointed. " Neither do you"
"God Bellamy why do you have to be such a buzz kill." Raven said underneath her breath before putting another spoonful of food in her mouth.
"It's a long story." Alicia said putting her fork down and looking over to his direction.
"Maybe some other night we'll have the energy to say it all." Ophelia piped in. Nodding Bellamy eyed both of them before turning to his food.
"Did you hear Z group finally got back? They ran into a hoard and had to take shelter in a movie theater of all places. On the plus side it looks like we'll be having popcorn for movie night now." Bellamy added not making eye contact with the others, still focused on his food.
"Did everyone get back?" Raven asked eyeing Elyza suspiciously knowing she was aching to ask that same question.
"I think s-"
"Elyza!"
"Oh thank god" Elyza breathed out, the moments of suspense disappearing as she got up and met Niylah half way and melted into her embrace.
Whistling and shaking her head Raven smirked at their interaction and turned back to her food.
"Who is she?" Ophelia asked beating me to it.
"That is Niylah, she's kinda like Lex's night and shining armor but only when she wants to be. Which is not often might I add, but Elyza falls for anything she says all the time."
"Only because she was close to Jake, that's the only reason Lex seeks her validation." Bellamy grumbled earning nods from everyone at the table. Turning back to look for Elyza she was busy studying the woman's face for injuries of any sort.
"Who's Jake?" Ophelia asked.
"Elyza's dad, but she will talk about him when she's ready just give her time." Raven responded taking one last look at Elyza before cleaning up her food container.
"Well! How about a board game?" Raven asked putting her hands together grinning at the nods and shrugs she was receiving.
"Actually imma call it a night I'm still pretty tired from the day." I said cleaning up my plate and it's surroundings.
"Do you want me to come with? Or do you think you can figure out where your room is?" Raven asked. Smiling and shaking my head I told her I could do it on my own. Of course I hadn't looked at my room number or floor number but I do remember the sticker on the door where my floor is so it could not be that difficult.
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