Chapter 26

Elias's POV

I continued down the street and found myself in front of Chris's house. Slowing down, I hopped off my board and walked up to his front door, banging on it continuously until an annoyed Chris opened it.

"What the hell, man? It's late," He sighed rubbing his head. Ignoring him, I charged into his room and ignored his parents greetings. Confused, Chris closed the door and sat on his bed watching me pace back and forth angrily. I ran my hands through my hair, breathing heavily.

"So... are you going to tell me what's going on?" He mumbled flipping through a book. I turned toward him, my eyes flaming. Glancing at me, he realized this was a nine-one-one emergency and gave me his full attention.

"Alex broke up with me," I growled, my fists curling again. I glared at the wall wanting so badly to collide my fist into its neatly, polished paint.

"Now we can suffer together," Chris sighed lying back on his bed. I turned toward him, my blood igniting.

"I don't want to suffer. I want to make it work between us," I snapped, feeling the tears brush against my brims. I couldn't let go of her that easily. I wanted- needed her. It sounded so obsessive and creepy, but it was true. In the months I got to know her, I couldn't help but fall for every flaw she contained inside. It was as if every flaw made up a beautiful, perfect being. And no matter what she thought, she was perfect to me.

"You know it can't, Elias. You both knew it'd end eventually. So let it go!" He yelled at me, sitting up hastily. I stepped back, taken by surprise. Chris's eyes were red and puffy, tear stains painting his cheeks. My face softened as I realized he'd went through the same thing. Him and Sam had been together forever and I was complaining? My shoulders relaxed as I sat beside my best friend. God, we were such pussies...

"I'm sorry," I apologized patting his back. I stared at the floor, my vision blurring from theses irittable tears. I whipped them away, taking in a deep breath. Chris and I were a complete mess, all because of these stupid girls.

"Let's go out to the lake house with Austin," I suggested, hoping to get away from all this for a while. As soon as I got back, I'd get to Alex and figure out a way we could work things out.

"Okay," He hiccuped whipping his eyes. Standing up I walked toward his closet and pulled out two bags. I stuffed random clothing of his into one and grabbed clothes from a box that I kept there when I decided to stay the night. I looked over my shoulder to see Chris whipping his face with an old shirt before slipping on his shoes.

"I'll call Austin," He said looking for his phone. I zipped up the bags, throwing them onto the bed. Checking my phone, I saw no new messages or calls. She couldn't even call to see if I was okay? Maybe she wanted me to call her... No, Elias you can't. Shaking my head, I turned off my phone and followed Chris to his truck.

"Austin said he'd meet us there with Tyler. He just asked us to bring some booze," Chris chuckled, turning on the ignition.

"Where the fuck are we going to get booze? My ID is real shit," I questioned confused. Chris smirked, pulling out two IDs. One was his real license, while the other was identical, but with a different age.

"C'mon, you really think I wouldn't have a fake ID on me?" He laughed shaking his head. Rolling my eyes, I realized Chris had a friend at Claremont who did amazing fake IDs. I just never thought to get one because he usually provided the booze and what not for me. If anyone was going to jail, he'd be going... for the both of us.

We drove to the nearest liquor store and picked up one of everything (we were going all out tonight) and drove toward the lake. As soon as we got there it was around eleven pm and Austin had just arrived too.

"Sup? What's with the last second party?" Austin chuckled. I looked at him confused and turned around to see a few cars driving in.

"I didn't call for a party?" I sighed in disbelief. Alex was going to kill me for this later.

"Well, Chris did," Austin winked toward Chris's direction who was shaking hands with a few of the ex-football players.

"Who needs chicks when we've got this?" Chris chuckled. Sighing, I followed him inside and placed the beer on the counter and started pouring shots.

"Hey boys," Victoria chirped behind me. She was dress in a tight red dress and black heels. Grabbing a shot, she gulped it down, licking her bright, red lips.

"What're you doing her?" I chuckled taking my second shot. The liquid burned my throat, but as it settled in my stomach, I felt amazing. Austin swooped in and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Just because your ladies left you doesn't mean I don't need mine," He winked teasingly before pulling her away. My fists curled in rage, but I didn't want to start a fight. I had to keep cool or it'd be messy. Chris placed his hand on my shoulder, relaxing me.

"Stay cool. Tonight's about having fun so don't worry about Alex too much," He whispered before walking off. But I had to think about her. If I didn't, then I'd lose control over everything. I grabbed another shot before grabbing a few beers and heading upstairs. The halls were stuffed withh buzzed teenagers, drinking their lives away. After a few tries, I opened a door to a vacant bedroom and slipped inside, keeping the room dark. The floor creaked beneath me as I found my way to the bed, feeling my way onto it. After I situated my back against the bed frame, I opened a can and sipped it slowly.

"What went wrong?" I asked myself. I tried my best to love her. Maybe I didn't say it enough times, but I did. She knew I did. I was a pain in the ass and didn't deserve her, but her I was sulking over her. I needed more time with her, but her future was waiting for her. London was waiting for her. Warm droplets trickled down my cheeks, surprising me. I whipped them away with my sleeves and slouched further into the bed. After taking the last sip, I crumbled the can and threw it at the window. I slipped out my phone and dialed her number. After a few rings, a hoarse voice answered the phone.

"Hello?" I listened to her light breathing, wanting her to say more. I thought up an excuse to get her here, hoping not to sound too pathetic.

"Chris got in a fight and I need you guys to come take him home," I mumbled, staring down into the blackness. Another silence followed a few whispers before I could hear her breathing again.

"Where are you guys?" She asked worriedly.

"At the lake house," I said before hanging up. I looked down at the cracked screen, feeling anger flow rapidly through my body. I flung the phone across the room again and watched it break even more. Just like my heart. Why was it that I couldn't make any of it work? I was trying so hard to, but I couldn't do it. Time wouldn't stop for anyone, let alone me. She had a life waiting for her. A life I wasn't supposed to be a part of...

I picked up my phone and jogged downstairs, hoping no one would realize my teary eyes. My gaze moved toward the front door opening, Alex and Sam coming in. They were both dressed in sweats and a T-shirt. Even being under dressed, Alex looked more beautiful than Sam and not in the appearance sort of way. Alex was more beautiful on the inside than anyone I'd ever met and I was about to ruin it. I looked to the side of me to see a short red haired girl talking to a few of her friends. As soon as Alex's brown irises caught mine, I twist the girl toward me and crashed my lips against hers. I opened my eyes a little to see a horrified Alex. I could feel the pang of guilt as I watched a few loose tears run down her pale cheeks. She turned away sharply and ran out the back door. Go after her. But I didn't.

Alex's POV

He was such an asshole! I was doing this for us, for me. I had to let everything go. I had to go to London no matter what. The love I had for Elias was eternal, but my dreams... they mattered to me too. We were stupid to thing we'd get everything we wanted. My heart ached as I clenched my chest tightly, running along the lake. I moved my legs as fast as I could toward the small cluster of trees, stopping in front of the largest one. I slid to its roots and pulled my knees in. It all went by so fast... the laughs, the fights... the kisses. Everything built up to something and for what? So that it could be ruined and destroyed minutes before we had to part ways? It wasn't fair!

I wanted him to come. I wanted to take him with me, but it wasn't possible. No matter what we thought, we belonged in two very different places. He belonged here while I belonged there, an entire sea apart.

My phone buzzed several times before I pulled it out. A message was waiting for me from Elias. My thumb hovered over the message, and unfortunately, I gave in. I waited for the message top pop up and as soon as it did, another set of tears began a long trail of salt and water down my face.

"Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it."

I'm sorry and I love you. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for... even if it wasn't me. -Elias x

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