The Runaway

Chapter Five

Alex's P.O.V

I didn't notice how badly I was shaking until the water bottle I just got dropped onto the wood floors of my dorm room. I knew I should've gone to Boston. I knew it. I shouldn't have listened to my mom for once in my life, just go with my gut. Wait, no. This isn't her fault. We heard other kids from my school back home were going to the Uni in Boston. This was the right decision. Breathe Alex. Just fucking breathe.

I snatch my water bottle from the floor and take a long drink. Letting the water cool all my nerves as I slowly calm myself down. He probably just got me mixed up with another girl or even saw my photo up with the cheer team in the main building on campus.

My phone goes off in my pocket shocking me at the sudden noise after sitting in silence. I take a look noticing it's the cheer group chat our coach made for us to keep in quicker contact. I skim over a few things to catch that she's sending us our schedule for the first month. I sigh feeling like I won't ever be excited over anything anymore. I'll just be scared and looking over my shoulder every second of every day. I deserved so much better than I got...

Shaking my head of the past, I sit at my desk and start writing in my calendar my cheer schedule. I'll have to ask my mom if there's any way she can secretly make a trip here to watch me perform at a game. I miss her already. I can't put her in danger, or myself, if he finds out she's traveling somewhere that I'm hiding. It's too risky. I shouldn't even text her and ask. It'll just break her heart more.

I feel a tear escape down my cheek as so many memories burst through the seems. I deserved so much more... If I just didn't let my friends talk me into anything. If I just stayed home like I tried so hard to do, I wouldn't be this broken, I wouldn't be afraid of so much, I could go out and have fun like any other college student, I could be free. But I'm not. I'm stuck living in this hidden state of mind and hidden from so many people I miss because he isn't behind bars yet.

* * * * *

"Alyssa seriously, I don't want to go out tonight. I went out with you yesterday and the day before. I seriously need to get my school stuff done or Mr. Brecker is going to murder me when I ask again for an extension." I roll my eyes as I peel her hands off of my arm.

"Oh come on Alex, please, I won't even keep you late. You can come home and finish your paper in time I promise," Alyssa whines following me back to my room.

"You said that all the other times too Lyss, and what time did I get home? 3:30 am. I can't keep doing that shit. I can't focus on anything and my mom keeps getting mad at me because I keep putting the milk in the pantry."

I sit back at my desk typing more of my paper switching back between my sources. Alyssa throws herself onto my bed with a huff.

"But we're all meeting at the new bar to go dancing and see if it's better than our usual go-to bar," I feel her gaze on me as I continue to ignore her making sure I add-in the authors of the sources.

Her heels click together as she stomps over to my closest moving my hangers all over the place.

I swing my chair around with so many rude things on the tip of my tongue, "Alyssa enough-" A dress is tossed over my face with a pair of heels hitting me in the stomach.

"good thing you already have your hair curled from last night. Slap on some makeup and let's go. I'll be eating the leftovers your mom made."