I just lied to Alan. He'll never forgive me. I can never face him again. I really messed up.

I get up and start running again. I'm still not sure where I'm running to, but I'm running. My phones vibrates in my pocket and I answer it. It's Alan, again.

"Hey honey, do you need a ride home? I can come get you," he says. "No," I reply. "You okay?" He asks. "Gosh yes! Alan, I told you like three times I'm fine okay! You don't have to worry about me!" I practically scream into the phone.

I hang up and the tears come again. First I lied, then I screamed. I'm such an idiot. Why did I have to do that? Especially to Alan. He's always been there for me because he loves me.

Suddenly, it just starts raining. "Great," I mumble, pulling my hood onto my head. My phone now vibrates several times. I choose to ignore it.

I can now cry freely. Nobody can tell because the rain is hitting my face too. I find a bench, it's not shaded by anything, yet I still sit down on it.

My teeth chatter and I shiver, I'm wet and cold. I want so badly to have Alan come and pick me up, but I can't. He'd never do it if he knew what I did to him.

I lay down on the hard bench and cry and cry and cry. Alan. I need him. I want him here to bad. I miss him already.

~*~

Alan's POV

"Guys, it's really late. I'm worried about Mia," I sigh. I didn't tell them that last time I called her, she yelled at me. She's going through a lot right now.

I just need to know that she's okay. It's really raining out there, and it's getting colder every minute. I don't want to go out in this weather, especially in a town I don't know. But I have to find Mia.

I slip on my jacket, and walk outside. It's dark, wet, and cold. I pray that Mia's all right. That's all that matters. "Please God please," I whisper.

I begin walking down the unfamiliar streets. Occasionally, I'll stop and yell her name a few times. She has to hear me. She just has too.

I spot what looks like a girl on a nearby park bench. I run over to it.

Mia. Please be okay.

I lift her up and put her in my car, so that she doesn't freeze out here. She still isn't responding. I knew I should've come looking for her faster! This is all my fault!

"God, please let Mia be alright. Josh and Jaxon don't need to lose anybody else. I can't lose her either. Please God I need this little girl. Please," I pray.

Mia stirs in her seat. Thank you Lord! "Mia?" I ask quietly, stroking her hair. "Alan?" She murmurs, almost like she's sleep-talking.

"Yes. It's me, dear. How're you feeling?" I ask. "No. Let me go. Before I do anything else I regret," she sits up in her seat and wiggles the door handle.

"Sweetheart, I'm not gonna let you out in the rain. Just come home," I say. "Let. Me. Go. Please," she says. "No," I say, standing my ground.

She starts crying, "LET ME GO NOW!" I sigh, "Fine. Be careful sweetie, call me if you need anything." And just like that she disappears.

\\Author's Note//

This isn't the end of the story, just of this book. The next book titled, Where The Lights Are, will come out soon. I hope y'all enjoyed this book and can forgive me for this cliffhanger. Thank you for reading. This book has been fantabulous and I can't wait for book two.

Xoxo,
Elisabeth 💜🐘