396 Miles From Home- an original story

Chapter Four

If you're the one who catches me.

Tell me that you'll be there when I'm

About to lose it all

Cause you're the one helps me see

That sometimes it's okay to fall."

~ Fall, Jonas Brothers

Alec's POV

A few nights later, we had an off-day. We were in Vienna, at our hotel. There was a patio in the back, with firepits dotted around. We had claimed one as our own, both bands circled around it. Emma and Nelly had their guitars with them and were playing softly. I had moved off to the edge of the patio, just wanting to be alone for a bit. This tour had started off a lot easier, less jet-lag and anxiety, but I still hated how I had no time to be alone.

I jumped when I felt a hand on my back. I looked up at Finley and smiled. She sat down beside me and smiled back.

"You okay?" she asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, I just wanted to be alone for a few."

"Oh, okay, Well, I'll leave you alone then." She moved to stand up, but I grabbed her wrist.

"No, stay." She nodded and sat back down. Even if I wanted to be alone, I found I wanted to be with Finley more. We sat still for a few minutes before she bumped her shoulder into mine. I glanced over at her, staring straight ahead and trying not to smile. I smiled and turned my head, bumping my shoulder into hers. We did this a few times until we finally started laughing. When we stopped, I asked if she had written anymore of the song she had told me about.

"No, I'm stuck." She replied.

"What's it about? Maybe I can help you?" She smiled.

"It's about a girl who's afraid to fall in love again, because she's been hurt before. She's afraid to get hurt again but knows she's gonna fall regardless." Fin explained.

"And this implied person is you?" I guessed. Fin blushed and looked down.

"I'll take that as a yes, and if it is, you've said it before, you aren't afraid to fall as long as someone is there to catch you."

"Thanks Lex, that did help." She said, laying her head down on my shoulder, watching the sun set. I laid my head on hers, realizing that I was falling for her, and I had no idea if she would catch me.

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A week later, we were in Venice, Italy. We had gotten yesterday and today off, and Finley and I were using that time to wander around the city. The European tour was starting to wind down, only about a week and a half left before we got a month off. Finley and I were eating gelato and walking along the canals back to our hotel. The sun had finally set, making the air cooler. The streetlights cast an orange glow over the cobblestones. Italy was amazing and Venice had been the best so far, the city seeming almost magical in the moonlight.

"Did you ever have a boyfriend?" Finley asked suddenly, breaking the silence between us. I felt my eyes widen, looking down at her in amused shock.

"Oh my God, I shouldn't have asked!" she exclaimed, smacking her hand to her forehead. I laughed gently.

"Yes, I dated a guy and a girl in high school." I answered.

"Really?"

I nodded. "The girl was my first real relationship in grade nine. We dated for maybe two months, had some stupid fight and broke up. Ya know, how most grade nine relationships end," I laughed.

"And the guy?" I saw his face pop up, unwanted, behind my eyes, all sharp lines and a soft smile. Blue eyes the color of the sky in Puerto Rico.

"Jace. His name was Jace. We dated for two years. He was perfect. He was kind and caring. He was super outgoing and did a good job of bringing me out of my shell. He was good with kids and loved music as much as I do. He swore to me that not being soulmates wouldn't come between us. It was me and him until the end."