Chapter Twelve
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"You're not mad, are you?" Sydney asked while we made our way to the car.
"No." I answered after a moment of silence. I stared at the boys in front of us. Two of them goofing off like little kids and the other had his hands in his pockets. His back was tense as he opened the car door but he met my eyes before he climbed in.
Shaking my head I turned back to Syd, "No, I'm not mad. Not at you." I offered her a smile before I crawled into the back of the van. It was dark out and I just wanted to sleep.
I leaned my head against the window as I closed my eyes. I shouldn't sleep in the car, not while Alex is driving. I sighed as my eyes refused to open, my body relaxed at the thought of sleep. I guess I trusted Alex with my life more than I thought.
"Fuck you." Sydney screamed and I heard the slap of skin. My eyes fluttered open and I was shocked to see that we were still in the car, the sunrise beginning on the horizon. "Where the fuck are we?" She screamed again, hitting Alex on the arm repeatedly.
"Fuck off." He growled sleepily while roughing up his hair in a messy, well messier. He started the car and began driving all the while Sydney had woken everyone up as she screamed at Alex.
"We could have died! We could have been robbed, murdered or raped." She hit Alex again.
"Sydney." I groaned, "Stop hitting him, his driving."
"He let us sleep in the car, unprotected." She turned to glare at me.
Alex rolled his eyes, "I locked the doors."
"Like that would do anything." She laughed humorlessly.
Shaking my head I leaned back in my seat, I didn't want this to be the tone of the day. I thought about waking up yesterday morning, I'd been so content, almost happy. I felt a smile make it's way across my lips at the thought. I blushed as I opened my eyes to find Alex giving me a weird look through the mirror.
"Wanna play?" Justin laughed, his voice groggy and full of sleep. In his hands he began shuffling the cards.
I smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I've got nothing else to do."
We played for two hours before Harry finally woke up and wanted to play with us. We switched to phase 10 and I lost. Twice.
It was around lunch time when I dropped my cards and announced that I quit, for the time being. I pulled out my sketchbook and began drawing my favorite past time, Alex. Well it was supposed to be Andy, it was always supposed to be Andy but it never turned out that way.
For lunch we drove through the drive thru of a fast food place, which was an adventure in of itself.
"What do you guys want?" He asked as we waited in line. Harry and Justin rattled off a long list of things but Sydney was the one was talking the loudest. I smirked as I looked up from my book, Alex was scowling as he shook his head.
Everyone talking at once was funny and the look on Alex's face was priceless.
"What can I get for you today?" The cashier asked, everyone was still rattling of everything they wanted. Alex leaned out of the car so the girl on the headset could hear what he wanted.
"Two burgers, no pickles extra mayo with tomatoes in slices not dices." Justin spoke louder, "With a large coke and a small fry."
I smiled as the chaos that surrounded me got out of hand. There was a gigantic list on the screen and we'd been there for almost five minutes, which is a long time for a drive thru.
"Okay." The girl laughed, "Is that everything?" She asked after everyone had gone quiet.
I opened my mouth and then he spoke, "No. That's all thanks."
"Okay, it's going to be $35.78 at the first window."
Justin handed Alex his card and smiled, "35? For all that? Isn't fast food amazing?"
No one said anything as we drove forward but when we got to the windows everyone began shouting again. The bags were being handed out through the window one by one and after six bags filled the car we drove away.
I sighed at the smell in the car, it smelled amazing. Too bad I didn't order anything. I pouted slightly and picked up my pencil.
"Whose is this?" Sydney asked pulling out a box. Harry and Justin were laughing as they shoveled food into their faces and my stomach grumbled. "Alex?"
"Lucy's." He nodded back to me as he merged onto the highway.
Sydney smiled brightly as she handed me a bag and one of the drinks. I felt the shock on my face as I took the bag and took a sip of the drink. It was half sprite half mello yellow, my own personal favorite drink. The shock I felt grew. How did this happen? I didn't mutter a word. He couldn't possibly know what I'd order, we've never been to any fast food place together before.
I peeked into the bag and my mouth dropped. Pulling out the box of chicken strips, I smiled and looked up at him in awe. He even got Barbecue, my favorite dipping sauce. Alex was biting his lip as he threw nervous looks at me. Once I met his eyes and gave him a smile did he seem to relax a bit.
How did he do this?
"I feel like all we do is eat." Harry laughed, still eating from Lunch which was hours ago.
"Guys, we're in Las Vegas." Justin announced as we past a sign. I sighed with relief, I was beginning to think we weren't making any progress.
"Only roughly 5 more hours till LA." Sydney laughed, "Unless we stay and party here for a bit."
"No one is twenty one, what's the point?" Harry shrugged.
"I'm sure there is a club we could get into." She smiled. I laughed, Sydney loved dancing so I wouldn't be surprised if she forced us to all go.
"Fine." Alex sighed.
We got a room at a hotel, where Sydney and I got ready instantly. I was fixing my hair in the mirror as I did a once over of my whole look. My dress was modest, well for a club at least. It was a white lacey dress that went about mid thigh and had lace sleeves. It was very pretty.
"You're not wearing that." Sydney laughed as she went over to her bag.
"Well this is the only dress I brought." I sighed.
"Lucky you, I brought four." She laughed again handing me a black dress. "Put it on, you'll look amazing. You always do."
I bit my lip, I agree that the dress wasn't club worthy but knowing Syd, this dress would covering little to nothing. "Humor me." She smirked in the mirror as she reapplied her lipstick. I sighed and slipped out of my dress and put on Syd's.
The dress was skin tight and went to my mid thigh, the dress had long sleeves. I felt like I was wearing nothing and I tried pulling the dress down some more.
"Don't you dare." Sydney scowled as she turned around, "You look hot and all the guys are going to die when they see you."
I smiled, "I think you should look in the mirror."
Sydney rolled her eyes and took one last look in the mirror before opening the door, "You still have the cute innocent look about you, something I can't compete with." She winked walking into the front room.
Taking in a deep breath and releasing it made me feel better. "Come on Lucy." Justin called from the other room. I took my hair from the updo I had it in and it came out in wild loose curls. Ruffing up my hair I walked out the door.
I heard two gasp and a low whistle. My face redden as I crossed my legs, "Can we go?" I asked not bothering to look at them.
They laughed and started getting up. Sighing in relief I looked up, my eyes meeting Alex's. He was wearing a white button down shirt that set off his tan skin and dark wash jeans. His hair was a controlled mess on his head. I felt my cheeks heat up as my eyes met back with his.
A hint of a smile was on Alex's lips and he shook his head as he brushed past me. I followed everyone out but I kept my eyes trained on the ground. Sydney looped her arm with mine. "Someone likes someone." Her voice a sing song.
I rolled my eyes, "Which guy is it this time?" I laughed. She always like to keep me up to date with the current guy she was trying to get with.
"Alex, isn't he so hot." She smiled.
I felt my blood go cold and my pace slowed. "You- you like Alex?" I asked.I knew that if she like Alex, I wouldn't stand a chance. She'd have him a million times over.
"Of course silly." She laughed and then looked confused, "You okay?"
I nodded a faked a smile, "Perfect. Alex is perfect for you." I had Andy. I shouldn't have even thought about being with Alex like that. What kind of person does that?
"We're going to be sisters!" She shrieked happily, letting go of my arm as she ran up to the guys. I watch as she looped her arm with Alex's like she'd done with me while she smiled up at him.
I couldn't see his face but Sydney's smile dropped slightly. She shook her head and laughed before looking at me over her shoulder. Alex seemed to notice and looked at me too, I quickly averted my eyes. I didn't need him to see that I was hurt. I shouldn't be hurt.