Dark Eyed Dreamers

I expected to wake up with Alex’s arms wrapped securely around my waist. I expected to be greeted with his gorgeous smile and a soft kiss.

I was wrong.

I turned over to find a vacant space where Alex had been laying. I got out of bed, wrapping a blanket around my naked body, and made my way into the living room area.

“Alex?” I called out, but it was in vain. The place was like a ghost town. I felt tears stinging my eyes, but I tried my best to hold them back. I walked out onto the balcony and looked down at the parking lot. The space where Alex’s car was parked was now occupied by a green minivan.
I couldn’t hold back the tears. I curled up in a ball on the bed and cried.

This was so typical of him. This is what he did. He fucked girls then left them alone in the morning. I was a fool to think he would have changed for me.

Boys don’t change.

I just thought he’d have more sense that to abandon someone eight hours away from home without a car. My tears eventually slowed, and the sobs faded to whimpers then I fell silent as a few stray tears rolled down my cheeks.

Then something I didn’t expect happened.

The door opened.

In walked a very cheery looking Alex Gaskarth. He had a huge smile on his face, that is until he saw me.

“Rae, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” he asked wiping my tears away with his thumb.

“I-I thought y-you left me here. I started to panic.” I stated, feeling stupid.

“Raegan, I would never do that to you. Any other girl, maybe, but not you.” he said cracking a smile. “I went to get us some breakfast, I honestly didn’t think you’d wake up before I got back.”

I felt like shit. He had gone to do something nice for me, and I immediately thought the worst from him. I didn’t wuite know what to say, so I just leaned up and kissed him.

“I’m going to shower real quick, then we can eat together, okay?” I said, getting up with the blanket still wrapped around me.

“Boston?”

“Yeah, I have some stuff planned for us, then we’ll go home tonight.”

“Well, alright.”

So Boston it was. I was honestly a little apprehensive about going to the city. I hated cities, and I expected this one to be no different from any other big city out there. Oh, how I was wrong. The people were friendly, there was room to walk on the sidewalks, and the air was breathable. Alex led me to a building by the pier. I didn’t realize what it was until I read “New England Aquarium” on the side. We caught an IMAX movie on sharks, then spent a few hours in the aquarium.

It was magnificent. I’d never seen anything like it. A whole floor dedicated to penguins. I was so enthralled. We stayed for a few hours, then went for food. Alex practically dragged me over to the Quincy Market for some shopping, screaming he needed to buy something for Jack’s mom. I laughed, but being reminded of Jack made me really homesick. I was having a great time, but just wanted to sleep in my own bed, and see my sister.

“Alex, can we go home soon?” I asked after he bought a Boston T-shirt for Jack’s mom.

“Yeah, sure. Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m fine, just a little homesick.”

“Alright then.” He said. We walked to the car, fingers intertwined, in silence.

“Do you want me to drive?” I asked quietly. I felt bad, because I knew he was having fun, but I couldn’t be there any longer. I needed to be home. I needed to talk to Brae about what happened the night before.

“No, I can see you’re tired. I’ll drive. You sleep.” He said, kissing my forehead and starting the car. I put the hood up on my hoodie, and snuggled into the seat.

---

“Rae. Rae, wake up” Alex whispered, cupping my face in his hand.

“Are we home?”

“No,” he laughed, “We’re in Pennsylvania. I’m hungry, do you want to eat?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure.” I nodded, squinting my eyes at the lights of cars on the road in front of the parking lot of the small pizza place we were at. My vision cleared, and I saw that the dashboard clock read 6:48. I yawned and stretched.

The restaurant was really tiny inside, but it was cute. The waitresses called us “Sweetie” and “Hon.” It was a very home-like place. I liked it there.

Soon we were back in the car, bellies full, this time I was in the driver’s seat. The GPS read directions, when to turn, and when to not get off at exits.

It was dark when I pulled into my driveway. Alex was asleep. I shook him awake, and told him that we were home. He walked me inside, only to find an empty house. I didn’t expect my parents to be there, mom working the late shift, and dad never being home. Brae and Mikayla, however, I did expect to be home. I shrugged it off, thinking they were out with their man-candies.

“Do you want me to stay with you?” Alex asked, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Yes please.” I said, giggling as he kissed my neck.

I turned to kiss his mouth and we got caught up in the moment. We fumbled up the stairs, into my bedroom, locking my door.