It makes me so happy that people still read this I've been writing it on and off for so long and I have so many drafts waiting so, prepare for an update spam xox
Blood pounded in Alex's ears her skin burning hot with anger. The thin shirt was little cover now the sun had set and a cold wind was whipping round her face. She continued to sip her whiskey to warm her but when turning a corner she lost her footing colliding with someone walking the other way. She was caught off guard and fell back towards the pavement but a strong arm stopped her. She looked up quickly trying to steady herself mumbling an apology, her eyes met with none other than Chris Chambers.
"Oh it's you" she smoothed down her shirt and caught her balance.
He only raised an eyebrow "Nice to see you too, what you doing out on your own?"
"I'm heading home, need to finally get some sleep you've been making me hit the books pretty hard" Chris could sense the slur in her words and his face dropped.
"Have you been drinking?" he asked sternly. Alex scowled and began to walk away.
"What's it to you?" he reached for her shoulder holding her back. She grabbed it and went to twist it behind his back but she was too drunk and he was too strong. Before she knew it he had her sat on the pharmacy wall with his hand gripping her wrists stopping her causing anymore harm.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? Jesus you're acting like a dumb Cobr-"
"Don't say it" her voice was soft like a whimper and she felt tears pricking her eyes. She was scared, above all her anger she couldn't help but imagine a life without Ace. Chris always had a skill for reading emotions, his grip softened and he sat close but was careful not to touch her.
"I'm not letting you walk home on your own drunk"
"I don't need a babysitter" she grumbled dragging herself to her feet but Chris followed slowly behind her not saying a word. She tried to ignore him and focused on swigging the ends of her bottle.
"How can you drink that stuff' Chris spat kicking the pavement "it just ruins your mind"
"We can't all be like you Chambers sometimes people have fun" she mocked.
"I have fun, I just enjoy things other than bullying and getting myself blackout drunk"
Alex stopped. He had hit the same nerve twice and her distorted mind was spinning more than ever.
"Ace isn't a bully." she spat.
"That's exactly what he is Alex, and I'm sick of watching someone with so much potential throw their life away over castlerocks own wannabe badbody, or maybe I'm wrong and you really are as dumb like the rest of them."
Alex's heart was beating through her chest. "Shut your fucking mouth chambers before I make you" the words were barely above a whisper she looked him in his cold blue eyes and felt a burning rage coarse through her veins.
"What's wrong Alex? Truth hurts doesn't it" she went to push him away and lash out again and do anything to get him away from her but he only held her wrists tighter.
"Get away from me!" she screamed managing to get loose from his grip. She tried to run but her sudden movement made her head spin and she felt the alcohol threaten to rise from her stomach. She grabbed the wall steadying herself hating herself for looking weak in front of Chris. She felt a comforting hand on her back and quickly shrugged it off.
"I'm sorry" he said softly "let me make sure you get home"
She begrudgingly took the offer, they walked together in silence as if they were alone. When they had reached Alex's he went to leave without saying a word but she stopped at her door calling him back.
"Chris, do you really think I have potential" the question had been swirling in her mind since he'd said it and the alcohol gave her the courage to ask.
"I wouldn't spend my time on you if I didn't"
Alex was touched but didn't let her facade show it. She tapped his arm affectionately and went to open the front door but it swung open as soon as she placed her hand on it. Her face froze, and she took a couple steps back.
"What? Bad sign?" Chris ask a tremor of worry in his voice. Alex said nothing but nodded her head tentatively. Within seconds Vince's face arrived at the door.
"Get out" he pushed her back down the porch steps "Leave stay at Ace's he lost it. Bad. Get out!" he shouted shaking her shoulders trying to break her daze. His eyes flicked to Chris and his panic took over his usual cares.
"Take her, get her out of here you little shit!" before Chris could react Alex's father was at the door.
"The fuck is this a family reunion? The little drunk decided to come home?" he pointed a finger lazily towards her.
"That's rich" she spat through gritted teeth.
"What did you just say to me?!" he roared in her face and for the first time Chris saw a glimmer of fear in Alex. Her eyes darted to the floor scared to meet his. "I know where you've been, Alfie at the bookies saw you at Irby's drinking with that scum Ace Merril, word is you're his latest whore. I knew you were dumb but I didn't think you were a skank!" he began rippling with laughter.
"I may be scum but only cause I grew up with a piece of shit like you!" the words had barely left her lips before her fathers fist met with her ribs. She fell after the first blow and barely felt the second. Vince reacted first gripping his father's wrists and throwing himself between the two.
"Grab her and go asshole! What are you doing?" he screamed at chris. Chris reached for her hand and dragged her from the floor of her front lawn. He ran for his life keeping his fingers tight and round her wrist, he ran until he felt Alex pull back. The ache in her ribs was spreading through her chest and she began to feel dizzy and sick. She sat on the sidewalk her head in her hands as she tried to collect her thoughts.
Chris was the first to speak "I'm sorry" he muttered but for once she wasn't angry at the words. They weren't patronising or pitying, they were empathetic and genuine. She had always known his home life was bad but he showed a real understanding.
"You shouldn't be sorry, I'm fine" she tried to laugh it off. Chris knew it was fake and so did she but neither of them questioned it "I mean, I'm sure you've been through worse"
"Maybe, but that doesn't matter, doesn't make how you feel any less worse" they sat in silence for a few minutes. Neither was in the mood to talk and the silence felt comfortable and healing.
"Do you want me to walk you to Ace's" Alex shook her head again.
"He's probably still at Irby's plus if he see's the state of me he'd go round and rip Vince's and my dad's head off"
"So where you gonna go?" he asked, the glint of worry appeared in his voice again
None of the Cobra's would let her stay with them, not with Ace as angry as he was. "I'll think of somewhere, or just wander round till morning, get some sleep when my dad has cooled off"
"You're not doing either of those things" He stood up.
"What?" she asked again surprised at his boldness.
"I told you I'm not Ace. I won't let you wander about on your own at night"
"Well I've not got much choice" she laughed uneasily.
"I have a place, you can stay in my old treehouse, its safe and there's blankets and I'll be happy knowing you're not on your own"
"Wait you're coming with me?" she spluttered.
"I don't care what Ace thinks, you shouldn't be on your own at night" his tone left little room to argue, and the thought of shelter and blankets over a cold long walk round Castle Rock was too good to miss.
"Fine, but no one can ever find out. Ace would freak." Chris only rolled his eyes and began the short walk towards his tree house.
