Ryder POV

We have been driving for about 6 hours now, and she hasn't said a word. She has just sat in silence, texting every now and then. She's jumpy, constantly looking at the time on the dashboard, next glancing over at me and then back at her phone.

"So, are you going to tell me why we are going to Georgia?" I ask, finally. You would think I would have asked before pulling off from my house, but I didn't.

She looks over at me and says, "Are you going to tell me what happened to your face?"

"No,"

"Then I'm not telling you," she turns back around and continues looking out the window.

She's so damn stubborn. I love it.

But I don't love it right now. This was a terrible fucking idea. I shouldn't have left until she told me why exactly we are going there. It's one thing to run off with her somewhere in town, but we are going to a whole different state, a state that's twelve fucking hours away.

Too late to turn back now; we have been driving for six hours. According to the GPS, we are somewhere in South Carolina. The roads are foggy, and it's extremely dark.

This is why I hate the country; you can't see shit at night. The only thing lighting up the road is my car's headlights and the starry night sky. Two of which are not helping any right now.

I pull the car over to the side of the road, grab my phone, and pause the GPS.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm finding a motel nearby; I can't see shit," I ask Siri for the nearest motel; one is only ten minutes away, it looks like it's just up the road.

She then asks, "Do you need glasses?"

Is she trying to be funny? I look over to her, with my eyebrow raised. "Uh no,"

"Then why can't you see?"

"Because it's dark as fuck," I reply, irritated. Now she is really making me regret driving her ass out here.

Her thick lips press into a line, "Well, let me drive," she suggests. I literally burst into laughter. She frowns. "What's so funny?"

"You're not driving my car," I state.

"Why not?" she squeals, "I know how to drive,"

"I don't care; you're not driving MY car," I repeat. "I would do anything for you, Jayda. Except let you touch my car,"

A smile creeps at the side of her mouth; she turns away quickly and sits straighter in her seat, "We can't stop,"

"Being as though I'm the one driving and the one with the keys. I decide when we will stop,"

She rolls her eyes and blows her breath like a child.

Before I can start the car, my phone rings, it's my mother. I send the call to voicemail and continue up the road to the hotel.

...

"Really, Ryder?!" she growls.

"What?"

She looks around the deserted worn down motel lot. "You just had to pick this one,"

Damn, she's always fucking blaming me for something. "I didn't know it was going to look like this," The address didn't show any pictures. I can see why.

Her brows scrunch together, and she looks out the window, "Is this even a motel? It looks like a haunted house,"

"Clearly, it's a motel... well resort, " I point to the sign in front that reads,

Lost Woods Resort.

She shakes her head, "Uhn uhn, this doesn't feel right,"

"Ugh," I roll my eyes, "Could you just get out of the car, please? And stop acting like a baby,"

Jayda looks back at me and says, "I'm not a baby,"

"I said, ACTING like one; clearly, you're not!" I then say, "Now can you come on so we can get a room?"

"I'd rather sleep in the car,"

I shrug, "Fine, you'll be out here all alone by yourself, without me."

"That's fine; I'll take my chances,"

"Okay," I unlock the car door and get out of the car; she stays in. As I walk, I count my steps; it takes ten steps before I hear her get out of the car and follow behind, just as I knew she would.

We both walk into the check-in spot; no one is in here. There's a log table sitting in the middle of the floor, along with a plain black couch, there's also two vending machines.

I tap the silver bell, expecting someone to show up. No one does. I tap it again and again; before I can do it for the third time, Jayda grabs my hand. "Give them time to come, geez,"

"I'm not a patient person,"

"Yeah, I know," she replies and then looks around. "Are you seriously telling me you're not getting weird vibes?" her face frowns as she scans the empty, silent area.

I shake my head.

She then asks, "Can I have a dollar? Or five?"

"For?"

"Uhm, I'm hungry," she says as if I should know this.

"And what are you gonna get for $5?" I question,

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to remain calm. I know she's getting frustrated; she finally says, "Something from the vending machine,"

"That sounds unhealthy,"

"Well, does it look like I have any other fucking option!" she shouts, finally exploding.

I say, "Now, you're definitely not getting my money! Not talking to me like that,"

"Ryder!" she snaps.

"Yes, Jayda,"

"Are you trying to be funny? Because if you are I-" she stops talking in the mild of her sentence. His head moves side to side, searching the room.

I can't contain the smile that forms on my lips, "Uh, are you okay?"

"Did you just feel that draft?" Her face is serious; she isn't joking, which makes it a lot funnier.

I place my hand on my forehead, "There was no draft Jayda,"

"Yes, there was," she says sharp.

"You're crazy!"

She folds her arms, "I'm not crazy,"

"Yes, you are,"

"There was a draft!" she yells yet again, trying to make me believe her.

I shout, "There was no fucking d-,"

"Hello,"

Jayda and I both jump a little after being startled by this girl who just appeared out of nowhere. The girl has black hair and is wearing a black hoodie.

"I'm Mona,"

Jayda looks up at me, instructing me with her eyes to go over. I walk ahead of her and over to the check-in desk.

"One Night?" The girl questions. I tell her yes, and then hand her my ID along with my credit card. "One bed, one night,"

"No, no, no, no," Jayda says fast. "Two beds, Two separate beds," she overly emphasizes.

"Oh, sorry, I just assumed you were together because of the bickering,"

"Well, we are not," She says.

"Alright, one moment, please," the girl walks away and goes to the back.

Jayda looks up at me, "What? I was going to tell her two beds," I defend myself, "You just spoke before me,"

"Mhm,"

"Trust me; I do not want to sleep in the same bed with you,"

She scowls and then looks aways. Mona appears and hands us a silver key, telling us the room number, "Enjoy your stay," she says with a smile.

I take the key out of her hand, and then Jayda and I exit. There's a chill but warmness in the air. It feels good. Once we reach our room, I unlock the door and enter.

Hm.

"I was not expecting this; it looks way better on the inside," Jayda says, saying what I was thinking. She continues looking around the room.

"Okay, well, now that you see there's nothing creepy in here, I'll be back,"

"Wait," She grabs my arm, stopping me, also sending a radiating pulse up my arm and through my body. "Where are you going?"

"To get something from the vending machine," I tell her, "Something for you, of course," I clarify. She smiles, making my heart beat slightly faster. I need to get out here, fuck I need a cold shower.

I would take one, but I don't have any clothes. I didn't have time to grab anything, except for my pills, which are in the car; I need to grab those. Now that I think about it, my gym bag is in my trunk; I may have something in there.

I ask her what she wants from the vending machines.

She responds, "Everything,"

"Why am I not surprised?" I say before turning around and exiting the room.

I decided to grab my medicine from the car first. My body fucking aches like shit. It hurts to stand. I'm supposed to be at home resting, recovering from the beating my brother gave me. I haven't even fully healed from being shot multiple times, and I'm already all fucked up again. Right now, my pain level is 1000; that long ass ride helped none; just sitting is painful.

I could be at home, in my bed, sleeping, but no. I'm in the middle of fucking nowhere at some creepy ass motel with Jayda.

Jayda POV

My phone rings for the 6th time; it's my mother. I kind of hoped my father would also call, but he hasn't; he must be so mad. They must hate me.

"Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry." I repeat to myself out loud. As I say the words, I can already feel the tears prick my eyes. I stand up and then walk into the bathroom to grab some tissue and wipe my eyes.

Before tossing it into the trash can, I spot a lipstick tube beside it. Crimson Red.

I guess housekeeping forgot to toss it.

The phone rings for the seventh time; after tossing the lipstick in the trash, I quickly shut it down. I'll keep it shut down for... however long. I texted Jessica on the drive, telling her I was going to go talk to the mother and that she needs to find me an address. About an hour or two later, she sent it to me; I memorized it, so I shouldn't have to turn my phone back on to get it.

I turn the knobs on the faucet and then splash some cool water on my face. I'm so tired. We have been driving forever. I don't think I have ever sat that long in my life.

Why am I even complaining? I know the ride was worse for Ryder; he kept moving side to side in his seat; he looked like he was in so much pain.

Ugh! I'm so selfish. Why would I ask him to come with me?

I should have just taken my car and drove to Georgia. I don't know why I even went to his house; I just remember my feet and body being dragged there, even while the little voice was telling me to go the opposite way.

The only good thing that has come out of ignoring the little voice in my head was getting to see why Ryder has missed three days of school.

I don't want to believe it, but I have a feeling his brother is the cause of the bruises and cuts on his face.

I just need Ryder to confirm it.

Just thinking about his brother fighting him makes me upset. It's weird that Ryder even has marks on him; I have seen him fight several times, he's a good fighter. But from the looks of it, he clearly didn't win that one.

I hear the room door open and then slam shut, "Jayda," he growls.

Oh no.

He burst through the bathroom door; his eyes are filled with rage and a hint of concern. "What the hell is wrong with you? You ran away!" he shouts.

"I-" How did he find out?

"My mother called me," he answers, hearing my thoughts. "Don't worry I didn't answer; she texted me and told me that your parents are looking for you, the cops,"

"The cops?"

"Your 17,"

Oh right. Legally they have to tell the cops I left. My breathing picks up, and my chest starts to hurt; I try to breathe, but I can't seem to catch my breath.

He walks further in, taking up most of the space; the bathroom isn't that big, "The hard drive," I say breathlessly.

"What?"

"They have the hard drive, the footage of me at the dealership,"

He frowns, "How the hell did they get?"

I push past him and walk back into the main room; the bathroom is to small I can barely breathe as it is, "I gave it to them,"

He follows me and says, "Why the fuck would you do that?"

"I...I... I don't...They're getting-, " I try to take a breath to get the words out, but nothing is formatting right; my head is scrambled with words in the wrong order.

He places his hands on my waist and bends slightly down to my level, allowing my eyes to meet his "Hey, hey, look at me, just breathe," He instructs. "It's okay,"

My eyes focus on his mint green eyes and dilating pupils; instantly, I feel my heartbeat slow down.

He then says, "What happened?"

"I can't," Is all I manage to say.

"You can," Within his eyes, he pleads and begs me to open up, "Let me in, Jayda,"

I turn away from him and then sit on the floor; my backrests on the bed's side. I place my head in between my knees and just cry.

As always, when I am hurt, Ryder is there to heal me, or at least try; he takes a close seat right beside me on the floor. He sits in silence as I weep.

~~~

(I miss pretty little liars... if your a PLL fan you peeped the Easter eggs😂 and not even cause the girl name was Mona )