Page 42 of Betraying Bexley

Bex bumped into Bronx’s back and muttered an apology. When she looked up, she spotted Alé at the table typing on his laptop. He turned his head and popped a brow. Curiosity filled his eyes. When his gaze landed on Bex, a knowing grin tugged at his lips.

“Where are you two going?” He stood, crossing his arms.

“Out. Bex can’t sleep. So, I thought we’d go for a little ride.” Bronx shrugged.

“You okay?” Alé stared at Bex, the heat of his gaze made a funny tingle spread through her body and settle in her stomach.

“Y-Yeah. A-A bit anxious is all.” Bex lowered her gaze, unable to take the intense look on Alé’s face any longer, because it called to a part of her, a sexual part of her she hadn’t acknowledged since the previous year. A craving, she shoved down deep, afraid of what would happen to her if she couldn’t perform or if she freaked out.

“Cool, I’ll go with you.” He shut the lid on his computer and grabbed his keys. “That is, if you’re both down with it.”

Bronx glanced at Bex. “Sure. I think it’s a good idea. We’ll take your car.”

“Good choice, since the Maserati doesn’t have tags yet.” Alé joined them. “Where are we going?”

“To the point, I think.” Bronx pushed out of the house first.

“Good spot. I think you’ll like it, Bex.” Alé closed the door behind them.

“W-Won’t J-Jamie b-be mad?” The whole time they were getting ready and even when they stood in the living room, no one stopped them. Bex had been prepared for their foster dad to come out and tell them all to go to bed, instead, they were getting into Alé’s car. What was she missing?

“Jamie isn’t here,” Bronx said. “He had to go in tonight. He’ll be gone all weekend too. It’s part of the perks of being his foster kid, I guess.”

“Besides, he checks in with us every day to make sure we’re doing homework and shit. So, it’s no biggie.” Alé started his car then backed out of the driveway.

“O-Oh.” Bex settled in between Alé and Bronx.

“Don’t worry.” Bronx patted her hand. “All we want you to concentrate on is having fun.”

Fun.

Sure.

The city lights glowed against the dark sky, giving everything a golden radiance. Without much traffic on the road, the emptiness gave the city a peacefulness it didn’t have during the day. Mile after mile ticked away as the tranquility of the moment allowed Bex to relax and enjoy herself. They hopped onto the freeway and whereas she thought the point was nestled in the mountains somewhere close to them, they went toward the beach.

Since she was little, Bex would stare out her shitty bedroom window and stare out at the ocean. She never went to the beach before. Never saw the water up close or heard the waves crashing onto the sand. She’d never collected seashells or any of the things the other kids did during their summer breaks. She’d been hidden away, trapped between a tyrant and a woman who cared more about what Bex’s bodyguards thought of her than taking the time to spend with Bex.

She pushed aside the resentment; it didn't belong in the car with who she might consider friends. Of course, she expected them to use her or abuse her too, everyone did—eventually. It had been ingrained on her psyche. Most considered her a bumbling simpleton. None of them took the time to realize, she was smart and within the top ten at school, she just didn't fit in. She understood it and reconciled it a long time ago. But, Bronx and Alé, even Eito, Jacolbi, and Alex blew past what others thought and saw Bex.

Maybe she was stupid to believe such. In the long run, it would blow up in her face. However, until then, she wanted to know what it was like to have friends. To have those in her life who cared, even if it was fake for whatever reason. If that made her desperate, so be it. She could take on the desperate title. Wasn’t like she didn’t carry several others as well.

Bex thought back to the letter on her table in the apartment. Everything had been so bleak and dire for her. She’d been ready to die. To be released from the pain both mentally and physically. Sitting there between two people she liked, a little more than she cared to admit, she wanted to see what came next. In the long run, relying on two people wasn’t a cure. Not even leaning on five people or a teacher wouldn’t fix her. She needed therapy and medication and to be free. To not have to worry about her father showing up and hurting her over and over again. Nonetheless, she’d take the baby steps required to learn how to run.

“We’re here,” Alé said, coming to a stop at the point of a cliff overlooking the ocean. “Would you like to get out?”

Bex sat there in awe of the view. The full moon cast glimmering shadows of the lapping waves while the twinkling lights glittered across the ocean giving it a mystical appearance. It was beautiful and majestic. She didn't want to move until she etched the scene into her memory, so she'd never forget it.

“C-Can we?” She stared up at him, her hands itching to touch the sand and feel the cold, salty water on her fingertips.

“Well, we’re not here to sit in the car.” Alé lifted his chin. “Let’s go.”

Bex slipped out behind him and stood on the cliff, the cold wind blew through her, freezing her, but it was wonderful. Exhilarating. She held her arms wide and tipped her head back, inhaling the salty night air. She wanted to scream. To send her voice out to the blackened depths to announce her arrival. Instead, she grinned.

Freedom was standing there.

Freedom broke her chains.

Freedom gave her voice.

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