Better Than I Know Myself (2nd book)

Chapter 52- Alice

The drive to the jail was at least three hours. It would've been one hour if it wasn't for the rocks and potholes that scattered along the way. My butt was already hurting because of the uncomfortable backseat of my car. I never realized the pain of people riding in the back till now.

One nurse came with me to be our driver and to fix the papers. Tommy also came with me cause he said he was bored and he wanted to see me get strangled by Alice. Jokingly of course... I think.

"Come with me." A jail ward walked up to me and gestured for us to follow her.

Her large body blocked our view of the path to the cell. All the jail wards here had her kind of body type. Broad shoulders, large abdomen, tall, flexed muscles. I guess it was in their job description to be overly buffed, to hold down any crazy prisoners.

I wouldn't call Alice super crazy or dangerous. I know that there are many much worse than her. But I think the fact that she kidnapped a famous person- which is me- immediately labeled her as a mental state criminal.

Well, that's just what's wrong with the people these days. Alice is scary. But I don't think she's dangerous. I don't think she's a criminal. She's just misunderstood by people... And by herself.

We came to a stop in front of a metal door locked shut. The ward opened it slightly and stopped.

"Are you sure you don't just want us to get her blood right away?" The ward faced me.

It looked like she was nervous for me.

"No. She doesn't deserve that." I said firmly. Even I had to look up when talking to her. And y'all know how tall I am.

"Suit yourself." She shrugged and fully opened the door.

We entered a huge room full of prisoners freelancing around every corner. Some were on the second floor, leaning on the railing and giving us judging stares. Some were on the sides whispering and giving smirks. Basically, all of them had their attention on us right away. For a second, I felt my heart stop as I looked at all of their faces.

"Faggot!" I heard someone scream in the background followed by hushed laughter.

Okay this definitely feels a lot like highschool. Except now, I'm not gay anymore... Maybe Bi. But it doesn't even matter anymore.

"Alright Alright! Shut your trapholes you fuckers, if y'all still want dinner for tonight." The ward scolded naturally, as if it was a normal thing.

"Hey slick! Watch these guys okay?" She called out to a few guards and started to walk away.

Seven guards led us to one of the dining tables and made a security circle around us, their shadows looming over us.

"What the hell do these guys even eat?" Tommy whispered as we sat down.

"That's what you're worried about?" I smirked.

After a few minutes, our ward came back... A girl behind her. I couldn't quite see clearly if it was Alice because of the guards circled around us.

"Shit. She's here." Tommy muttered.

Yep. She's here.

The ward led her to our table.

Her hands were cuffed and her outfit was the same as all the other prisoners: a grayish blue onesie that belted at the waist. Her black hair, that was once straight and silky, was now frizzy and seemingly unbathed. She looked glaringly at me with her ice cold eyes that had datk circles around them. Her skin was pale and out of bloom. She was so much thinner than before, as if her bones were just covered by her thin skin.

She sat in front of us, not taking her eyes off me.

I wasn't sure what to say.

Awkward.

"So... Uh how are you?" I asked as nice as possible.

She scoffed, a lazy grin spread on her face.

"Oh I'm good. Two years of imprisonment... Thirty three more to go. The food here's nice too, Adam. In case you're wondering." She looked at me with such coldness.

"Oh hey Tommy! I didn't see you there. How's the pretty kitty?" She winked at Tommy.

"Fine." Tommy muttered in a deep voice. I could tell he was holding back himself from beating up Alice.

Alice just scoffed and leaned back on her chair.

"Look I'm sorry for everything that happened Alice." I sighed.

"Oh no it's okay! Water under the bridge" she smiled sarcastically. "I mean, my ex best friend who put me in prison for fucking thirty five years, is going to die without my blood. Of course, the last thing I would want is for my girl to get hurt. So maybe we can just forget all that happened."

She leaned in closer, her face two inches from mine.

"But you can just..." She made her voice softer "kiss my ass."

Then she leaned back, smiling lazily.

I felt both enraged and sorry for her.

"Alice, Mandy didn't put you in prison. You did that to yourself." I said, keeping my voice calm.

"Did I? Well, if she's such a perfect best friend, why would she hurt me? Why would she flirt with you if she knows I love you?" She answered, her voice raised.

"She didn't flirt with me. I flirted with her. " I felt quite uncomfortable saying that to her "And you don't love me Alice...."

"I don't love you?! Do you think I would get crazy over you if I didn't? Do you know how much I cry every single fucking night, knowing you're the one who put me here?"

"Don't confuse your feelings Alice. You don't love me. You never did." I said firmly, keeping my voice loud to compete with hers.

"I wouldn't be here if I don't love you." She said, a tear dripped from her eye.

"If you really love me, you wouldn't have hurt me." I said, feeling my chest grow lighter as I let those words leave my lips.

She stopped, her eyes wide.

"I don't expect you to forgive me. But I just want you to please... Help me. I love Mandy... I know you're hurt and this is a big thing to ask from you. But..." I pleaded, my voice thin.

She swallowed and leaned back, her face once again glum.

"It is a big thing to ask from me." She looked away.

"So don't expect me to ever say yes." She glared at me before standing up.

Then she walked away.