A/N: Update after 3 years. You are welcome.
I'm kidding. This is mostly for me. I wanted to finish this story. #fayanaftw
When was the last time they had driven past a lamp post? Faye couldn't remember and if her mind wasn't already preoccupied with a million other intruding thoughts, she probably would have been more worried. Jake's idea of road trip music was awful but she turned it up anyway. In fact she wouldn't even consider it music, but maybe some head banging and occasional pig squealing would help clear her mind.
"Your phone keeps flashing. Call your mum already or she'll call the cops on me." The sound of a human voice that wasn't coming from stereo actually gave Faye a small startle. Had they actually been sitting in silence that long? She gave a small grunt in return. It was true; her phone had been receiving missed calls and messages at least twice an hour since they left. But not even half of them was from her mother.
Hey what's up? Do you want to meet for breakfast? xx - unknown number
Did you sleep at Melissa's last night? Come straight home after school we need to talk - Mum
Melissa just told me you left? Where are you? What's happening? - unknown number
If you don't want to see me that's fine just let me know you're okay - unknown number
Hey how are you feeling? So did you do something big this time huh? Everyone's acting weird. Cassie, Adam, Diana… is that why you left? - Melissa
Faye, where are you? Come home please - Mum
Look I'm freaking out now Faye. You left with Jake, right? Why? Talk to me - unknown number
I don't know why you are making Melissa call me instead of talking to me yourself. Be good. See you tomorrow - Mum
I'm not mad. Talk to me - unknown number
Faye knew her mum wouldn't really call the cops. She had done enough crazy shit over the years and turned up alive and safe eventually. It was a sort of freedom and agreement between the two. Besides Melissa had her back also.
"It's approaching 1am. We would have to be lucky to come across an open motel at this time, can we stop soon?" Faye sighed and snuggled into her scarf. Being a runaway was exhausting.
"There is a place just up ahead. Chill out, I go here all the time."
"I thought you didn't know where you were going?"
"No. I'm not as stupid as you." Nice. Her prince in shining armour.
Guess she was kinda of lucky to have the luxury of escaping whenever she had to and a friend like Jake to organise it for her. So she kept quiet. He probably had things that were bothering him too. Maybe she should take a leaf from his book and also be a good friend. Faye grabbed her phone and starting typing.
Thank you for covering for me with mum. I'll let you know what's happening when I come home. Nothing bad I promise - Faye
Jake pulled the car into an inn where Faye was relieved to see the first lamp post in 4 hours. A spooky, cottage-like motel in the middle of the woods? Still safer than a coffee with Diana.
Their room had a bed, a stool, a microwave and an ensuite. It was overwhelming. Even Faye considered going home for a second. But remembering the overwhelming amount of texts she had received, the feeling quickly past and she settled into the sheets where she would stay curled up, head wrapped in the pillow for 2 days.
On the third afternoon Jake came back from his shopping trip in town. 30 minutes drive was too far for Faye and besides she hadn't moved more than 10 metres in 2 days, why break the record now?
"Did you get me the falafel kebab with sweet chilli and hummus?" Faye demanded before he'd even had a chance to close the door.
It didn't bother him. He way very used to her behaviour by now, as she hadn't once shown him any interest since they arrived. "Of course and look! I even got you some fries."
He was definitely trying to suck up to her and she found it annoying, "Ew. I'll get fat." She snatched her kebab from his hands and started munching away. Jake tentatively sat down, leaving his food on the stool. Instead he played on his phone. They both hadn't touched their phones since the night they left. Not even to check Facebook, YouTube- nothing. She tried to hide her curiosity and continued to eat. Ah he didn't get any cheese, asshole.
"So that burrito is getting more action than me, huh?"
Faye barked a laugh, "Uh it's a kebab and even that stool is getting more action than you."
Jake smiled gently. His new attitude was disturbing and Faye feared what it meant, "I was sort of thinking we should go home tomorrow."
Her fears confirmed, "Why? Are you not having a good time?" She asked with an almost squeak to her voice.
Jake laughed out loud, and looked at Faye. It was the first time she had shown any sort of emotion that hadn't been anger or frustration. "Wait you're kidding, right?"
"No."
"You sleep at 9, wake up at 8, give me your orders from town and then never talk to me again til I come home with dinner! No, I'm not really having a good time."
She put down her half eaten kebab and lunged forward at his hands, "Okay, let's do it then."
"No stop-" he attempted to stand up but Faye wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Come on. Let's have sex, I'm ready-"
"No," Jake fumbled around, attempting to detach a suddenly active Faye, "I don't even know if I want to anymore- look I'm not complaining-"
Faye dropped down to the bed, rejected, "Then what?"
"You don't want to sleep with me, I can tell. And, well you know I'm always down," Jake smirked slightly, "but ahh, I guess deep-down there is someone else I would rather be with right now."
"Fuck it. Fine, if I am such a horrible person to be around-" Faye had to hold back tears now. She didn't care about Jake and Cassie. Why was she upset?
"No, Faye listen. That's not what I am saying at all," Jake sat down next to her and slung an arm round her bare shoulders. "It's obvious you were running away from something and I am definitely here whenever you need me. I just think we should go back."
Faye leant into his shoulder. She wouldn't say it out loud but she was dying for a hug right now, "I'm not ready."
"What happened, then? Why aren't you ready?"
"Nothing! Why are you ready?" She snapped.
"Cassie text me," Faye was taken back by his honest answer. Was he trying to engage into a heart-to-heart right now? "She said she loved me and we need to sort this out."
Faye sat silent for a minute. She finally managed to let out a disheartened answer, "Fuck, so she loves you, huh?" Wonder what that feels like…
Jake was genuinely pleased, "Yes she does. I think it's time I sort out this shit hole I've got myself into. And after that, I can even help you with your mess too."
"It's such a mess," Faye whispered.
"Come on," Jake pressed. "This is the first time I'm letting you be this soppy. Lay it on me."
"There is someone." Her voice was barely audible. "This person I had a small thing with it. Just a thing, you know, like ah- a thing."
"Who is he?" Who is he. Of course. Jake assumed it was a he. Because it should be. Why is she running from a stupid girl? Why is she so worried about a girl?
"Just a guy from school. I'm not telling you who ok? But I've known him forever but suddenly one night- he just lands this massive kiss on me!" Faye's words were spilling out now. Compressed emotions and all that, "he told me to think nothing of it, so I didn't! Even though there was totally something going on but I tried to forget it like he said. But then he came and saw me at home and things got carried away again-"
"You slept with him?" Jake interjected.
"No, no, not yet. No, I mean NO, we didn't sleep together but things went pretty far and he's been texting me none stop."
"Why did you run away? You're scared to like him?"
"No I don't like him, I just-"
"Then why do you care? Knock him down with your snarky wit like you do with every other boy."
Faye's breath staggered. Why did she care? "He's a friend, you know? I don't want to be mean."
Jake laughed and puller her in closer, "Not being a dick or anything Faye, but has that ever stopped you in the past?"
"Rich coming from you."
"Yeah. You're exactly right. That's why I want to go home. Now. Before it's too late. I have a shot with Cassie and if I fuck it up again I'm done. Plus," Jake sighed, "I really think you should go home to your mum."
"She won't call the cops."
"I don't care about that. She will be worried and asking around," he finally turned and gave Faye the big hug she was waiting for. "And besides, I don't really want Cassie to find out I've been sleeping with you in a small cramped motel room for 3 nights."
That comment would have pissed Faye off. But getting annoyed would have risked losing the hug she so desperately wanted. So instead she tightened her arms round his torso, "I'll explain it to her."
Jake pulled back and looked down at Faye, "So we're going home?"
Faye smiled, "Let's leave tonight. Pack your things, I'm just going to make a quick phone call."
Faye slipped into the ensuite and closed the door behind her. 5 missed calls from an unknown number. She dialled the number. Her call was answered almost immediately.
"Faye?" Diana's voice was quiet but the sound sent a warm tingling through Faye's fingers.
"I'm coming home. We need to talk." Faye quickly hung up before giving Diana a chance to reply.
