5 ~Chapter Five~

Alice P.O.V.

*Bing*

*Bing Bing*

I twitch and groaned as I slowly woke up.

*Bing*

Sighing deeply, I rolled over and looked at my phone.

7:42

Lucas:

Morning Beautiful!

Time to wake up!

Let's go on an adventure!!

Rubbing my eyes, I sat up.

Me:

Noooooo!

Too early!

Lucas:

Come oonnnn

Pleeeaaassssee

For me?

I rolled my eyes and smiled.

Me:

Fine

But you owe me coffee

Lucas:

Ah, good

B/c I'm already outside your house

Standing, I made my way to the window and peered out past the curtains. Sure enough, a black convertible was parked at the edge of my lawn.

Me:

How do you even know where I live?!

Lucas:

I may or may not have asked Diana for your address

She may or may not have given it to me

I mentally cursed Diana and walked to my bathroom. I was about to tell him not to come to the door, and that I'd be down in a few minutes, when the doorbell rang.

'Shit…'

Nearly chucking my phone across the room, I ran to my closet and pulled out the first thing I grabbed. I changed in record time and raced downstairs just as my mother answered the door.

'Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit!'

"Hello?" she answered.

"Good morning, you must be Mrs. Y/L/N. I'm Lucas Porter, my parents are colleagues of your husband. I go to school with Alice, we have the same first period. I was wondering if it would be alright if she spent the day with me?" Lucas introduced quickly.

Slightly shocked, my mother regained her composure.

"Well, of course. As long as she doesn't mind," she said, looking to me.

"I'll be down in a sec," I muttered and turned on my heel.

When I came back downstairs, Lucas was chatting with my father in the foyer. Clearing my throat, I opened the door, motioning for us to leave.

"Well, we should be going. I'll see you tonight, and don't worry. I'll have her home in time."

I tugged his arm before my parents could say anything else and slammed the door shut. We ran to his car, laughing hard. I skipped the handle and jumped right over the door into the passenger seat and we were off.

We drove down the highway with the top down and the radio up.

"Having fun yet?" Lucas yelled over the wind and music.

"Hell yes!" I yelled back.

Shaking his head, he laughed and turned the music up higher. Suddenly he slowed down and took an exit off the highway.

"I wanna show you something," he said.

I smiled and watched as the town slowly disappeared and the trees grew thicker until we were surrounding by forest. I threw my arms up and breathed in the fresh air blowing around me. I heard him laughing and stuck my tongue out at him. He slowed and took a sharp turn revealing a breathtaking view.

"This is a private beach owned by my parents," he explained, "I figured you'd like this kind of thing and I know you've been busy lately so I thought I'd help you relax a little."

All I could do was smile stupidly as I took it all in. As soon he parked I jumped out and ran out onto the sand. I kicked my shoes off and rolled up my jeans before walking right into the water. I turned around and saw that he brought a blanket and a cooler to the shore.

"What's that?" I asked when I got close.

"A picnic," he replied with a smile.

I lied on the blanket and listened to the waves with my eyes closed. I felt him lay next to me and take my hand. I sat up with a playful smile on my lips and began walking towards the water. Lucas smirked and followed me curiously. When I got to the very edge of the water, I turned away from him and undid the zipper of my jeans, slowly pealing them off. I stood back up and turned around to see shock written all over his face. I threw my jean at him and ran into the water. After recovering, he pulled off his shirt and jean and followed me in.

After a few games of chase and splashing, we built a fire and sat by it, wrapped in another blanket. He traced the lines on my palm, making me sleepy. It was late afternoon so we decided to go back but I was happy where I was.

"So, what'd you think?" he suddenly asked.

"This place is beautiful," I responded, "thank you for taking me here today."

He was quiet for a moment, like he was thinking. My head fell on his shoulder as my eyes closed. I felt his fingers lights dance across my jawline before they settled underneath my chine, pulling it upwards. My eyes opened and he was centimeters away from me. His eyes traveled from mine to my lips like he was silently asking permission. I bit my lip in response and his lips softly collided with mine. The first time we had kissed it was almost desperate, but this was the complete opposite. It was soft and slow and warm. I melted into him as he lied us down, his body half on mine. My hand found his hair as the kiss deepened. It was one of those 'perfect' moments… until I remembered that stupid dinner party. I suddenly broke the kiss and sat up.

"Shit!" I yelled.

"What?!" He asked, concerned.

"I have to get home! The party!"

I scrambled to find my jeans in the blankets and wiggled them on. I helped him fold blankets and put out the fire before running to the car.

We laughed as we drove back to my house, his hand on my thigh the whole time. As we pulled up he popped the trunk. I furrowed my brow in confusion. He walked around the car and pulled out a suit. I laughed and ran to the door with him. I opened it to see my parents waiting in the dining room. I stopped laughing as they greeted us.

"You're late," Mother said.

"I'm sorry, we lost track of time," I said, looking down.

"It's fine. Just go get dressed. The guests will be here soon," she said to me, "Lucas, you can use the guest room to change. Alice will show you where it is."

I grabbed his arm and quickly lead him upstairs. As I lead him past my bedroom and toward the guest room I hear the doorbell ring. He grabbed my hand to stop me and gestured to my open door. I smiled and let him lead me to my room, locking the door behind us.

We walked into the bathroom as I started the shower. When I turned around he was standing with his shirt off in his jeans. I stepped forward and placed my hand on his abdomen. He fiddled with the hem of my shirt and I backed up. Panic leaked into my chest as he looked at me questioningly. I wrapped my arms around myself and turned away from him. He slipped his arms under mine and kissed the top of my head.

"Hey, it's okay," he soothed me.

I shook my head as tears dripped from my eyes.

"Hey," he turned me around, wiping my tears, "what's wrong?"

I took a deep breath and took his hands and slipped them under my shirt so they rested on my stomach. Realization crossed his face as he felt the scars and cuts.

"Hey, it's okay. I promise," he said, lifting my chin to look me in the eyes.

I stepped back and turned around, lifting my shirt and pulling it off this time. I pulled my jeans, underwear and bra off next and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash over my damaged skin. After a minute he stepped in behind me. Wrapping his arms over my stomach, he rested his lips in the crook of my neck. A few minutes later he lifted his head and kissed the back of mine. He reached for the shampoo and poured some in his hand before massaging it into my hair. I leaned against the wall and let him rinse the soap from my hair, repeating with the conditioner.

He shut off the water and stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist and then covering me with a towel as well. I walked out of the bathroom to get dressed and he dressed in there. When he finished he opened the door, catching my attention.

"My, my," I said, smiling, "don't you look handsome."

"And don't you look heavenly," he responded, leaning in for a kiss.

"Ah, ah. You'll ruin my lipstick," I remarked.

He smiled and took my hand, leading me to the door and down the stairs.

--- Vic P.O.V. ---

I scanned the room once again for Alice.

"Victor? Victor, com here," my mother called.

"Yes?" I asked when I reached her.

"Show Mr. and Mrs. Rodriquez what Alice drew for you the other day," she said, smiling.

I nodded and pulled out my phone, flicking to the image. I turned my screen to face Alice's mother and watched the disdain flicker in her eyes for a brief second.

"Ah, that's beautiful. My Alice is quite talented with those drawings. She captured you wonderfully," she said.

I faked a smile towards her and heard laughter coming from the staircase. Her laughter. I turned excitedly, expecting to see her with Diana, but my heart plummeted when I saw her with him. They were holding hands.

Shaking my head, I left the room before she could see me.

--- Alice P.O.V. ---

Lucas squeezed my hand as we entered the room. I looked around and noticed Vic's parents talking to mine. I turned to Lucas and pulled my hands from his, excusing myself for a minute. Mrs. Fuentes smiled as I got closer and I returned her smile.

"Hello, Alice," she said happily.

"Hey, Mrs. Fuentes, did Vic come with you?" I asked.

"Yes, in fact, he was just here," she said, looking around, "I'm not sure where he went though."

"It's alright, I'll find him. Thank you," I replied with a smile.

I scanned the room again, looking for the familiar boy. A frown settled on my lips as I caught no sight of him. I turned around and headed for the kitchen to get a drink. I opened the door and looked up, stopping in my tracks as the door closed behind me.

"Vic," I smiled, "I've been looking for you."

"Oh, Alice…" he said, facing me.

I walked around the counter and pulled out a bottle of Rum and a can of coke before mixing the drinks in a glass.

"Have you been in here the whole time?" I asked.

"Oh, no. I just need a break from all the people…" he stuttered.

"Understandable."

"Mhm."

"So, how is-"

"Are you and Lucas dating?" he asked suddenly.

"What? No, we're just friends," I said.

"Oh. Okay."

I look down into my drink, swirling it around.

'Did he see me and Lucas holding hands? I really hope he doesn't get the wrong idea…'

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't realize Vic had gotten to his feet and made his way

next to me until he slipped his fingers under my chin and pulled my face towards his. Snapping out of my daze, I realized what was happening as he pressed his lips against mine. I froze in shock for a few seconds before gently pushing him away.

"What's wrong…" he asked.

"Vic… I-I can't," I stuttered.

"Can't what?" he asked. I could tell by his voice that he was hurt.

"I can't… do this. With you…"

"Why?" he asked, anger seeping into his tone.

"I just can't, okay? I'm so sorry but I can't."

"Why can't you ever give me a straight answer!" he yelled.

I flinched at his harsh tone and looked down.

"I'm sorry…" I whispered.

He scoffed and shook his head. I kept my eyes down until I heard the kitchen door open and close. I downed the rest of my drink put the glass down on the counter as I heard the door open again. I looked up, expecting Lucas but was met instead by the harsh glare of my mother.

"Did I just witness you entering this room and that boy leaving? Or have I simply imagined my daughter completely disobeying me? Again," she said.

"No, Mother, you have not imagined it. I came in for a drink, he happened to be in here, we talked, he left. Trust me, you needn't worry about him," I replied, refilling my drink.

"I hate to have to repeat myself, Alice," she said sternly.

"Like I said, there's nothing to worry about from Vic," I snapped, walking around her to the door, glass in hand.

Suddenly her hand caught my forearm, causing my jaw to clench in pain. She spun me around and slammed me into the wall, her hand on my throat. She began to apply a dangerous amount of pressure and the glass slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor.

"You had better watch how you speak to me, or I will make you live in Hell," she said with an evil smile.

"Already… there," I gasped.

She finally let go and I fell to the floor, coughing as oxygen filled my sore lungs.

"Clean this up," she demanded, gesturing to the broken glass as she left.

I caught my breath and reached for the towel hanging off the stove to mop up the alcohol and scoop up the glass.

When I finished, I poured another drink, found an ascot in the closet at the far end of the kitchen that matched my dress, tied it around my neck to hide the fresh bruises and walked back into the living room. As I made my way through the crowd I spotted Vic talking to Mike. He looked my way and we made split second eye contact before I looked away and made a beeline for the back door.

I headed to the gazebo we had in the backyard and sat on the ground, looking into my drink. I started to think about when Vic had kissed me. Both in front of my house and in the kitchen and I felt sick with guilt that I had to push him away like that. A tear suddenly dropped into my glass, disrupting the brown liquid. I reached up to my cheek and realized I was crying. I took a deep breath and wiped my face, swearing I wouldn't cry over this anymore. Crying wouldn't change any of this and I knew it.

Taking another deep breath, I stood up and leaned against the rail of the gazebo, looking at the moon. I was lost deep in my thoughts when a pair of strong encircled my waist and snapped me out of my daze.