Kidnapped

Alexis knocked on the door several times. “Lance?” she called out. Her voice echoed in the empty hallway.

No response.

“It’s time for dinner. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

And yet still no sound came from the room. Alexis turned the knob, fully excepting the door to be locked – but it wasn’t. She hesitated for a moment before letting herself in. The room was in complete darkness. Maybe he’s not here after all, she thought.

She fumbled for the light switch and pressed down on it. And there Lance was, lying on his bed, looking like death. She ran to him as quickly as her legs, which were turning jelly-like, could take her. “Lance?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. But Lance still refused to stir. She shook him gently. “Lance?” she said for the third time.

Then without warning, his eyes flew open. “Oh, hey. Hi.” He rubbed his eyes lazily and ran his fingers through his hair before finally sitting up.

Alexis reached over and gave him a hug, surprising them both. “Hey hey hey. What was that for?” he laughed.

“I thought you were dead. You look so pale and you weren’t moving and everything…”

“Couldn’t you have just checked if I was breathing? Or feel my pulse?” Lance asked her with an expression of mingled amusement and incredulity on his face.

“…That didn’t occur to me…”

“Miss Know-it-all, what’s the use of all that you learned in the books if you’re not going to be able to apply it in real life?” Lance teased.

Alexis ignored him. “You are okay, though? No offense, but you look horrible. You want me to take the food up here for you?” Alexis asked.

“No, I’m fine. I’m just a little tired, that’s all. I’ll be downstairs in a bit; you guys go ahead and eat first.” Lance tried to stand up but before he could even take a step he collapsed back onto his bed. Alexis watched him in silence.

“You’re staying here. I’m going to go get you some food. Though knowing them – they’d probably insist on moving everything up to your room and having dinner here instead. But first, put on a shirt – you’re going to catch a cold, if you haven’t already got one.” She opened his closet – it was empty. Alexis rolled her eyes. “Your clothes are still in your suitcase, aren’t they?”

Lance’s eyes widened in fear when he realized what she was about to do. “NO! No – it’s okay, I can get it myself – “

Too late. She had opened it.

She threw a packet onto his bed. “What’s this?” she asked, emanating a sort of silent fury. The others had grown to know that when this normally loud, talkative girl was quiet, they’d better steer clear of her path. Two days ago Lauren had stupidly brought up that she had once let her herself into Alexis’ room uninvited and gone through her stuff in search for a pad. Alexis did not scream at her, but simply walked off without a word and refused to speak to anyone for the rest of the day.

“I-It’s no big deal, really…” Lance tried to shrug it off. “I mean, everyone does it nowadays!”
“No big deal?” Alexis repeated softly. “My mom’s in rehab. I almost lost her to drugs.” She gave him one last look of disdain – and was there pity too, or had Lance just imagined it? - before turning to walk away. Lance watched as she drew closer and closer to the door but before she could open it –

“Wait!”

To his immense relief, she stopped in her tracks.

“Just – come back here. Please.” He pleaded. Looking resigned, Alexis slowly walked to his bed once again and sat down. “What?”

“I meant to stop – I swear. When I first got here, I thought it was going to be some kind of cold turkey treatment. I thought if there was no way I could get my hands on any drugs, I’ll HAVE to stop. Then I opened my suitcase…and there they were. It’s my secret stash from back home. It’s almost as if that someone up there’s playing this massive joke on me,” Lance laughed bitterly.

“And I still want to stop. But I can’t do it alone. I’m not strong enough.” Lance looked at her with a question in his eyes.

“Okay.” Alexis didn't even have to think about it. “I’ve already spent my whole life watching someone I care deeply fight a losing battle to them. I can’t bear for it to happen again.”

“Thank you,” Lance paused. “But can you do me one more favour?”

Alexis waited for him to continue.

"Please don’t tell anyone else. I mean, they already think I’m some good for nothing guy who used to spend all his time partying and fucking up women’s lives – I don’t want them to find out that it’s even worse than that.”

“We don’t judge here, Lance. Ever watched Gossip Girl?”

Lance stared at her blankly. “What? Wait – it’s that dumb show my ex used to go and on about – the one with that really hot blonde. Leighton Meester?”

“The blonde’s Blake Lively. Not that it has to do with anything; in one episode, they mentioned a non-judging breakfast club. We’re like the…non-judging club of the kidnapped. We don’t care what you use to be like. It’s a fresh start for everyone here. But if you don’t feel comfortable with it – of course I won’t say a word.”

“Thank you.” Lance said again. He almost felt like crying. What on earth did he do to deserve friends like these? Just one last request. “Especially Natalie…please don’t tell Nat.”

“Ooh, looks like someone’s in loooooove…”

“Shut up,” Lance punched her lightly. “Pinky promise?” he held out his pinky, smiling.

Alexis had to laugh. “Pinky promise,” she said, linking her finger with his.