23. Prison Doesn’t Last Forever
PRISON DOESN’T LAST FOREVER
ALEXIA
T he rest of the camping trip was painfully awkward as Charlie kept on making fun of us and making kissing noises and I tried my best to distance myself. Even going as far as riding back with Emerson and Noah. I know it probably wasn’t the best news but I’m just not ready to face him, to really talk about us or trying anything.
I’m too scared. I’m a coward.
I walk into the house carrying Chinese food for everyone. “Guys I’m home!” I yell out. I walk to the kitchen and everything out and set up so everyone can eat.
“Ouuu, Chinese. So how was set today?” Aaliyah asks, walking into the kitchen.
“It was pretty good today. Tonight, I’m going to a concert,” I tell her, sitting chopsticks beside a takeout plate.
“What concert?” Aaliyah asks.
“The MorningStars of course,” I tell her.
“What about The MorningStars?” Mom asks, walking in the kitchen as well.
“I’m going to a concert tonight,” I answer.
“That sounds wonderful, your sister and I will be going to find gifts to take back to the boys, ” Mom says.
“Do I have to go?” Lia groans.
“Yes, and before you ask why, because I said so,” Mom says and comes over to the counter with a stack of three plates.
“I hope you both have tons of fun,” I say and Lia glares at me.
I know she is going to hate going but that’s what makes it so hilarious.
We eat dinner together before Mom goes off to call Stephan and I take a call with my cheer coach, finally after days of not being able to. I practiced the routines and stunting before showering and getting ready for the concert.
I stand in front of my closet, deciding what pants to wear. Black or white? I’m wearing a striped black and white shirt under a Morning Star tee for layering and now what pants with my red rhinestone belt. I choose black and slip them on over my purple undies and I put on my black Converse platforms.
Within thirty minutes I’m ready for the concert and I’m in Raven’s Jaguar riding to the concert hall. I’m especially excited about this concert because I get to go early and see all the backstage things.
We enter the concert hall through the backstage door, and I get a special backstage ID pass.
I place all my things in Scarlett’s dressing room while she’s getting their makeup done. While the band is getting ready, me, Zara, and Emerson set up the VIP seats.
We place goody bags and water under the chairs for them. “So I heard you and a certain guitarist kissed,” Emerson says.
“Everyone knows, don't they?” I ask, sitting a bottle of water beside another chair.
“Um, not me,” Zara says.
“When did it happen?” Emerson asks.
“The night we played hide and seek,” I answer.
“And I’m just now finding out!” Emerson exclaims.
“Yes, because I kinda wanted for me and him to figure us out before I told everyone we kissed, then you guys would accept things,” I say dramatically.
“Too bad I want details,” Emerson says.
“Me too,” Zara agrees.
“Look, there aren't any extraordinary details. I was talking too much and he kissed me.”
“That was uneventful,” Emerson says.
“What can I say? We’re simple people.”
Being backstage at a concert is a rush. People are rushing all around and clothes changes are being set up along with the stage setup for the start of the show as people file into the concert hall.
“Where’s my guitar?” Gray asks, coming through everyone. I look around and spot his guitar on a stand over to the side. I walk over and grab the guitar from the stand.
“Here,” I say, handing it to him.
“Thank you,” Gray says, taking it from me.
“Are you having fun backstage?” Gray asks.
“Yeah, one of the most exciting things. Almost as exciting as competing,” I tell him.
“Being backstage at your favorite band's concert isn’t more exciting than taking the mat,” Gray says with fake shock.
“Not even close and it definitely doesn’t beat flying,” I say, smiling.
“Okay we need you in line up. Concert starts in five minutes!” Austin yells out.
“Looks like I have to go,” Gray says, briefly turning around to Austin.
“Good luck, Popstar,” I say. Gray brushes my hair back and gives me a slight smile.
“I don’t need luck as long as you’re here,” Gray tells me before kissing my cheek. Butterflies swarm my stomach as I feel myself blush from the feeling.
“Come on, Gray, no time for your show of everlasting feelings!” Charlie yells over.
“Three minutes!” Raven yells.
“You should go,” I tell him. Gray smiles and turns away to go line up on the stage while I walk back over to Emerson and Zara.
“Would have been super cute if he kissed you,” Emerson states as the concert begins.
We are five songs away from the concert ending when my phone starts to vibrate. I excuse myself and walk around, finding an empty hall by the dressing rooms to answer the phone. “Hello?” I answer.
“Alexia,” the voice says, a voice I haven’t heard in months. My dad’s.
“Dad.”
“I called to inform you of something,” he says.
“Get on with it,” I reply, pulling myself together.
“Griffin. He’s out of prison; they are going to re-do his trial. Considering he has mental issues. I want you to write a letter if you don’t want to come to court and testify. It could really help,” Dad says.
“I’m not justifying what your brother did. It’s bad enough you didn’t stick up for your kids. I'm not helping him get out of prison,” I tell him and hang up.
I don’t want this to be real.
It can’t be real.
This is hard to believe; I thought he was convicted of kidnapping, attempted murder, sexual assault and arson but now he’s getting out and now he can get to me.
Me and my family.
The man that haunts my nightmares is free.
I stumble back to where Emerson and Zara is shaking and on the verge of crying.
“Where’d you go? Are you okay?” Zara asks, but her eyes go wide as she sees me.
“Emmy!” Zara calls out.
“Lexi, what happened?” Emerson asks, coming over to me.
“My dad called,” I state. I slide down a nearby wall.
“Lex, you have to tell me why?” Emerson says, holding my shoulder.
“He said Griffin is out and going back on trial, but this time under the condition he was driven mentally insane, which means he might not go back to prison,” I say, weakly.
I clutch my knees to my chest as I start to cry. The tears run down my face as I try to breathe through this.
I can do this.
Everything will be fine. I repeat to myself. “Lexi, it’s okay. We will tell your mom. Everything is fine,” Zara says and runs over to the edge of the stage, waving off someone.
“Um—I’ll… I’ll be back, sorry,” Gray stutters. I hear the music stop on stage before Charlie takes over, singing his part.
“Alexia, what’s wrong?” he asks, crouching down beside me. I can feel his arms wrapping around me.
“Her dad called. Griffin is out,” Emerson tells him.
“Who is that?” Gray asks.
“That’s a story she has to tell you,” Emerson answers.
I feel as if my breath is being sucked up out of me as my vision clouds while my head hurts. Rushes of the memories from when I was thirteen come back into my head.
I can’t do this.
Not again. He can’t come find me, he won’t. But deep down, I know he may try. I look over at Gray with tears running down my face.
“I can’t do this,” I whisper.
“Do what?” he asks. My stomach swirls. With the little energy I have, I stand up and run over to the trash can and throw up the contents of my stomach.
“Lex!” Gray yells. “Someone help.”
“Zara, can you go call her mom?” Gray tells Zara.
I don’t hear much else of what’s happening because my vision fades and all I remember is falling into Gray’s arms.