Everything Opposite

Chapter Twenty Four

Ryleigh
"I need to get out for awhile. Alex said he'll take me to London with your permission. I'll call every day and you can visit whenever,"I said. "Ryleigh,"Josh said and trailed off disappointed. "Please, I need this. I need to get out. I don't want to see Zack right now. I can't see Zack right now,"I said, starting to cry.

It hurt. It always fucking hurt. I felt like I was dying. Like leaving him would be the straw to make my heart explode and rip me apart from the inside out. I hated that I trusted him. I hated that I still loved him. I hated that I loved him enough to suffer alone so he can live his life. I hated feeling like a bother to people so keeping this secret would at least keep me from feeling like a hindrance to Zack.

"Whatever you need. Don't cry, little sis,"Josh said, pulling me into his chest and stroking my hair. This only made me cry harder. Once I calmed down, I pulled back and swiped at my face. I sniffled and Josh ruffled my hair. I smiled at my older brother. I was so grateful he found me. I was so grateful he rescued me. "Let's get you packed then,"he said and led the way to my room in the apartment. I tossed clothes in my suitcase with Josh's help and filled my backpack with other necessities before I was hugging him once more and he walked me to the car.

"Thanks,"I mumbled. "For what?"he asked. "Everything. For being you. For saving me,"I said. "I'll be over soon,"he promised. "See you soon,"I said, hugging him once more with teary eyes before climbing into Alex's car to go to the airport.

"I called Lisa to let her know what's happening. How are you doing?"he asked. I shrugged and continued watching out the window. At the airport Alex shoved his hair into a beanie and slid on sunglasses which made me giggle. "What?"he asked, raising an eyebrow at my giggles. "You look ridiculous. It's dark out,"I said, giggling more. He stuck his tongue out at me. "You should probably do the same,"Alex said. "What? Why?"I asked. "So you don't get recognized and Zack finds out you're leaving the country with me,"Alex explained. I sighed but obliged. I matched Alex with his sunglasses and beanie look.

We made it through without incident. I followed Alex's lead and we boarded our last minute flight to London. It was then I realized this was real. I realized how much it hurt. I didn't understand how what felt right could be so wrong. Alex took one look at me and put an arm around my shoulder, rubbing my arm. I turned my face into his side and let out a sob. I was so fucking confused. I was so fucking broken. I didn't understand and it hurt.

Alex just let me sob and cry it out. He didn't care about the strange looks from the other passengers. He knew I needed this. I cried myself out eventually and settled for watching Last Christmas with him. It was a newer movie but the twists had me laughing and crying, back and forth. I blamed the hormones but in reality it was just a truly emotional movie I understood.

I couldn't get Zack out of my mind. It was driving me mad. I didn't want him to touch me but at the same time part of me longed for his hugs or holding his hand or having him reassure me things would be okay. I didn't have that and I couldn't have that. I refrained from texting him even though hundreds of conversations played out in my mind. I couldn't do this. There were too many what ifs. He'll have to realize eventually that I'm bad for him and he's much better off without me. I let Alex put an arm around my shoulders and eventually fell asleep on a red eye to London with my head on Alex's chest.

**********

I woke up with a blanket over top of me. Alex was asleep too. "Thank you for flying Southwest Airlines,"a flight attendant said over the speaker. The jet lag pulling on my body told me we landed in London. I felt sick but tried to ignore it as I shook Alex awake. "Lex, wake up. We're here,"I said. He looked at me tired and confused before grumbling and standing up, hitting his head on the luggage holders above us before grabbing our carry ons and exiting the plane.

London was breathtaking. But only momentarily. I looked at Alex panicked before finding a plant and letting my guts loose onto it. He held my hair back and tried to shield me from the view of passerby with an apologetic glance. I stood up and panicked about getting sick in a plant in a London airport. Alex grabbed my hand and led me away from the crime scene. I started crying. "Hey, hey, what's wrong?"he asked, pulling me to a stop in the crowd of people to hug me.

"I--got-sick-in a---plant,"I hiccuped cried. Alex laughed. "What's so funny?"I asked, angrily. "Dude, you're pregnant. You're hormones are out of whack and it's making you emotional,"Alex explained. I started laughing then too. "Let's get you cleaned up,"he said, grabbing our luggage and leaving the airport.

He had gotten us an Uber that took us out to a beautiful countryside. I watched as we came to a stop at a decent family home in the middle of a field. There was a horse stable and dozens of sheep and cows wandering separate fields. My mouth dropped open. "Ryleigh, welcome to my childhood home,"Alex said. The car stopped and Alex paid the driver before we grabbed our luggage and climbed out. The interior was as gorgeous as the exterior and he led me upstairs to a large bedroom, sitting my luggage on the bed. "This can be your room,"he said. I hugged him once more. "I'll be downstairs making dinner if you need me,"he said and kissed the top of my head.

A/N: Hey y'all! Happy early Thanksgiving. I'm so sorry this chapter took so long, I've been struggling with a lot lately. I hope you enjoyed and I'll try to make the next few more exciting. Also you should check out Quiet by JacobAlexannderConne that features Ryleigh and Logan Blake. Much love!

B