Beside You

Chapter Fifty-Five

Alex's P.O.V

We safely arrive back home in America. Surprisingly, the boys aren't that far from our hometown. They're just two hours away.

Yes, I am extremely tired, yes, we all are, but we decide to drive the two hours anyway and see them.

Which is hard, because we have no idea which hotel they're at and we can't ask them, either.

"Mandy, just ask Michael's mom. I'm sure she knows." I sigh and lean back in the passenger seat.

"Uhm, I can't. I'm driving." Mandy scoffs and rolls her eyes.

Her attitude, lately, has gotten on my nerves. She acts as if she's better than everyone else.

"Hell, Mandy. What the fuck is wrong with you?" I practically scream.

Mandy grips onto the steering wheel tighter and glances in the rear-view mirror at Jasmine and Kacey.

She swings her hair behind her shoulder and says, "Nothing. Im sorry." Her voice is believable, her expression isn't.

"Is there something you're hiding from me?" I turn to look at the two in the back.

Kacey pretends to be on her phone, and Jasmine keeps her attention focused outside the window.

"What is it?" I ask.

They each shake their heads. The car ride is silent until the next stop.

We arrive at a gas station, everyone except me, gets out.

Mandy leaves her phone in the compartment between the two front seats.

Her phone lights up with a text from Michael.

I know, I shouldn't look, but I can't help it.

'he's doing fine, for right now. I don't know about later. just please don't tell her.' is what it reads.

Just as I go to reach for it, they return.

"Thought I left it here." Mandy laughs and reads the message on the screen. Her eyes slowly look my direction. "You didn't read it, did you? Any of our conversations?"

I shake my head and climb to the drivers seat.

Mandy sighs and places herself in the passenger seat. Once she's seated, she types on her phone.

I swallow the feeling, pin my hair back with a hairbow, and say, "Everybody buckled up?"

"Yep." They all say.

I turn on the car and start driving.

What did Michael mean when he said that? Who was doing fine?

Shut up.

Find out.

I shake my head and check the mileage we have left. 20 miles.

"So, did you find out where they are?" Kacey asks, snacking.

"No. Liz didn't reply when I asked." Jasmine says.

"Damn. Now what?"

"Michael's mom says they're in hotel 5." Mandy says stretching out

"We're almost there." I say as we reach the 17 mile marker.

"Thank goodness."

*One Hour Later*

We arrived at the hotel, and are now looking for them, or one of them.

The first person we see is Michael.

Mandy runs to him and jumps on his back.

"Shit!" Michael sounds scared until he sees us. "Mandy!" He plants a kiss on her lips and holds her tightly.

I leave them and the others to look for Ashton.

I roam the many halls and find no trace of him.

As I turn to the elevator, Luke says my name.

"Alexia?"

I turn and smile.

"Luke!"

Lukes mouth forms a smile and he hugs me.

"God, we've missed you!"

I laugh and hug him back.

"Have you heard?" His face turns sour for a moment.

"About...?"

Luke nods and bites his lip.

"He's in there."

I enter the room Luke was pointing at.

"That was quick, Lu-" Ashton stops speaking when he sees me. His eyes light up, and his smile becomes huge. "Alex!"

I smile and close the door. I jump in his arms and bury my face in the bend of his neck.

"I've missed you." We both say with a few tears.

I jump out of his arms and take his hands in mine

I sense something wrong immediately when he flinched.

I questioningly look at him.

He forces a smile.

"I love you. Just know that."

His eyes fall from mine to his arms, then back to my eyes.

I close my eyes before looking.

Just as I thought, they're covered in more cuts.

"Ashton Fletcher! Why the hell would you do this again?" I study his arms

"Im a fucking idiot, that's why."

"No, you're not. Ashton, baby." I kiss each cut and pull him in for a hug.

I can't let the tears fall.

I can't be the weak one when he needs me to be the strong one.

My shirt is soon soaked and I hold him tighter.

"It's okay, baby. I love you." I kiss his cheek and hold myself together.

I mustn't fall apart now.

Not this moment.