*Flashback*
“What are you doing here?” I asked, smiling from ear to ear as I jumped euphorically to the rhythm of the music. He smiled slightly.
“I’m here to take care of you, honey.”
“Take care of me?” I asked, confused, though I couldn’t stop smiling. He nodded.
“Emily told Niall that you had eaten some magic cakes,” the blue-eyed man murmured, and I nodded excitedly. “That’s why I’ve come to take care of you, you little rascal.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Louis. I’m perfectly fine, and the cupcakes were delicious,” I exclaimed, shaking my head.
I felt my body slowly starting to disconnect, as if I was losing control of my movements, but it felt so good.
“I feel amazing and happy,” I said, smiling as his confusion peeked out behind his smile.
“Alex is going to kill you,” he laughed. I grabbed his wrists, moving his arms as I moved mine. He laughed along with me.
“Let’s make it worth it!” I shouted, and he shook his head, still smiling.
*End Flashback*
The sound of Alex’s footsteps on the stairs snapped me out of my memories from last night. I shook my head and looked at him.
He had two suitcases in his hands and was dressed casually in black jeans and a matching sweater. His hair was slicked back, and I swallowed hard.
“Are you leaving?” I asked, looking directly at him.
“We’re leaving,” he said, and I frowned. He sighed and met my gaze. “I need you to come with me somewhere. Don’t ask where, just trust me, okay?”
I stared at him for a few seconds. I had nothing to lose, so I nodded.
“Go take a shower, put on something fresh, and take your time,” he whispered, sitting next to me. I looked at him.
God, I wanted to climb on top of him and kiss him so badly. Instead, I nodded again, staring down at my hands, and obeyed.
I took a quick five-minute shower, put on my underwear, a pair of ripped black jeans, and a grey sweater that was slightly too big for me. I slipped on some platform sneakers and grabbed my bag with my belongings.
Looking in the mirror, I cringed. My reflection revealed dark, swollen circles under my eyes, and my lips were pale from dehydration.
Alex must be disgusted by me right now. I grabbed my makeup and quickly covered up my imperfections. After applying mascara, I sighed, walked down the stairs, and saw Alex talking on the phone. He glanced at me and hung up.
Neither of us spoke as we walked to his car. My hands itched to reach for his, to intertwine our fingers and kiss his knuckles, but I held back.
I leaned my forehead against the car window and stared at the passing road. We’d been driving for about forty minutes, and the silence was unbearable. I frowned as we entered a wooded path.
Suddenly, a two-story cabin appeared, and confusion filled my face.
Alex opened the garage door and parked inside. He stepped out of the car, walked to the cabin door, and opened it. He looked back at me and gestured for me to follow.
“A cabin in the middle of the forest,” I thought to myself, a nervous laugh escaping my lips. “Is Alex going to kill me?”
I got out of the car, and Alex let me enter the cabin first. My eyes widened as I took in the sight before me.
There were hundreds of pictures everywhere-paintings, drawings, photographs, awards, medals, and even letters.
Alex closed the door, and I noticed he already had the suitcases in his hands. Had I been staring for that long?
“What is this?” I asked, and he gave me a small, sideways smile. He walked past me and went upstairs with the suitcases.
I wandered around the room, hugging myself, stunned by the sheer number of paintings. I spotted a photo of Alex fishing with his dad, another of Lena and Alex cooking, Evelyn and Alex playing poker, and Alex with Niall on what appeared to be a yacht.
His footsteps descended the stairs, pulling my attention.
“Come. I want to show you something,” he whispered. I followed him upstairs, marveling at all the paintings.
Alex opened a door, revealing another room filled with artwork. This time, the pieces felt oddly familiar.
“What is all this?” I asked.
“This is my hiding place,” he said, sitting on the bed. “I come here when I feel sad, stressed, desperate, or angry. Sometimes, when I’m too confused, I like to be here.”
I walked around the room, taking it all in.
“Why did you bring me here?” I asked.
“Because you have doubts,” he whispered. “You have doubts about me, and everything you need to know is here.” He gestured around the room. “Every drawing, every photograph, every letter. I haven’t been open with you about my life, and you’ve stayed by my side. It feels unfair. But I can’t talk about my past anywhere else. This is the only place I have the courage to do so.”
I sat beside him, admiring the surroundings.
“Isn’t that the anchor you have tattooed?” I asked, pointing at a drawing.
Alex nodded and sighed. “Were you here all week?”
“Not all of it,” he admitted. “Just a day or two.”
“This is amazing,” I murmured.
“The main reason I brought you here is because you deserve the truth,” he whispered. “You can ask me whatever you want.”
I glanced at a photo of a tree. “What does this tree mean?”
“It’s where I had my first kiss,” he admitted, a sheepish smile spreading across his face.
I continued exploring and found a crumpled note.
“No matter how angry you are with me or how many mistakes you make, I will always love you. Always. -Mom”
“Your mom loves you very much,” I said softly.
“She used to,” Alex said with a bitter laugh. “Before everything fell apart.”
His walls spoke volumes-medals for track, awards for academic excellence, photos from prom, and recognitions for helping cancer charities.
I wanted to ask about Racheal or Ramsay, but I found nothing to prompt the question.
Finally, I reached for the handle of a second door. Before I could open it, Alex cleared his throat.
“You haven’t asked much,” he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness.
“It all explains itself,” I said simply, shrugging.