I finished a few hours of studying after Avery dropped me back off at home before changing into a pair of high rise blue jeans and a tight long sleeved black shirt that I tucked into the jeans. I slipped on a pair of black ankle boots and brushed my hair out, curling it into slight waves. I applied a slight winged eyeliner and a muted red lip before making my way downstairs. I tiptoed down the staircase hoping to escape my mother who's flight was currently delayed until the next morning.

"Olivia," the stern voice caused me to jump. I turned to see my mother at side of the room, her platinum blonde hair had clearly been styled into perfect curls. She was dressed in a long black wrap dress that hugged her thin figure. She wore a diamond necklace, pearl earrings, and sleek black heels. She must have been getting ready for a date.

"Hello, mother," I greeted her.

"Where are the clothes that I buy you? What designer are these?" She quizzed me frowning at my outfit."Right. These are different," I avoided the question.

She sighed, "Perhaps it's better that you aren't tied to the Rodgers name as is. I wouldn't want anyone to know we had a blue collar worker in the family."

"Of course," I replied. The horror of someone having to work for money was a shame my mother couldn't get over.

"Are you going out with Aaron?" She asked.

I choked at the mention of the name, "Mhmm," I replied, unable to get anything else out. I didn't know how I'd be able to tell her about us.

"That's not a word, Olivia," she sighed in exasperation.

"Yes, mother."

"Well, have fun. I'm going out myself so I might not be back tonight." She replied.

I nodded and continued down the staircase and out of the house. I walked to the end of our long driveway to meet Avery who knew the routine when my mother was in town. Avoiding them seeing each other was key for a smooth evening. Avery and my mother hated each other. Avery had told my mother off for the things she used to say once and my mother forbade me from seeing her again. Maintaining my friendship with Avery was the only time I had ever stood up for myself with my mother. That rebellion was made easier by the fact that she was always traveling. I was grateful that I had been able to accomplish this small rebellion. I couldn't imagine my life without Avery now.

I opened the door to her car and slid in. "Hey," I grinned at her. Avery was wearing a white tank top and black jeans and had her hair in a messy bun. She always looked amazingly flawless without trying.

"Hello," she sang, "I can't wait for tonight. We're doing dinner - at an Olivia approved restaurant of course," I smiled at her appreciating the thought.

"Thanks," I told gratefully.

"Of course. I got your back for as long as you need it," she replied making her way to the restaurant. "How's your mom?"

"The same as usual," I replied glumly.

"Well, she'll be gone soon, right?" She asked and I nodded in return. "That's something at least."

We arrived at an Italian restaurant and parked before walking in. Alexander and Nathan were already sitting at a table when we walked in. Avery ran up to Nathan and they began to make out. Here we go again. I sat tentatively next to Alexander.

He smiled at me, "Hey, Olivia." He was wearing his usual black t-shirt and black jeans.

I smiled back, "Hi."

Avery and Nathan seemed more than preoccupied. Alexander and I stared as Avery straddled Nathan's lap. This was getting excessive.

"Should I throw a bread roll at them?" Alexander asked taking a bread roll in his large hand.

I laughed, "Good luck getting them to notice."

He weighed the bread roll in his hand, "You're probably right," he said before taking a chunk out of it with his hand and popping it into his mouth. He noticed me staring and offered me the roll with a quizzical brow. I just shook my head awkwardly.

We all ordered pasta and salads and ate gluttonously. My mother would kill me if she knew I was eating this today. My mind drifted to her, likely on a date, trying to catch another rich husband that could help her sustain her extravagant lifestyle. I had trouble understanding how we were related sometimes. I'm sure she felt the same way about me - disappointed that she couldn't have had a daughter that loved her life in the same way she did.

Avery and Nathan were currently feeding each other and I stared at them in horror when a foot nudged me. I turned to look at Alexander who leaned close to my ear. "Want to ditch with me?" He asked. I nodded. There was nothing worse than witnessing someone's romantic date while sitting there, depressingly single.

I made my way out of the booth and Alexander followed close behind. Avery and Nathan didn't glance up so we walked out. I took out my phone and quickly texted Avery that Alexander and I were heading out.

We walked out of the restaurant and I breathed in the cool air. Alexander stood beside me, his towering form comforting in some inexplicable way. He led me to his car and we stopped in front of the same motorcycle.

I groaned, "I forgot about this. I don't think I would have said yes if I did remember." I stared at my recurring enemy in anguish. I glanced back at the restaurant debating which was worse, Avery and Nathan's soft porn, or near death on the monster before me.

He laughed, "It wasn't that bad! You'll learn to love it." He handed me his helmet and I noticed that he had two on his bike today.

"Did you and Nathan drive here together on this?" I questioned motioning to the second helmet. "Who sat in the front?" I laughed.

He rolled his eyes at me, "No, Olivia. He drove his car. And I always ride in the front."

"There's something dirty in that but I can't figure out what it is." I wondered briefly who was riding the bike with him before he came here.

"Would you stop stalling?" He replied before grabbing the helmet out my hands and placing it on my head, just like the last time. He used his hands to brush my hair out of my face and my hands lay limply at my sides. My stomach flooded with knots as his hand lingered at my neck. He cleared his throat and grabbed the second helmet, putting it on his head as well.

He sat on the motorcycle and held out his hand for me. I sighed before taking his hand resigning myself to the terrifying reality facing me. I climbed behind him and placed my hands tentatively around his waist. The bike roared to life before Alexander raced forward. I squeezed my eyes shut and placed my forehead against his back, blocking the sights before me. I felt the breeze surrounding me and had I not been riding to my potential death, it would have actually felt nice.

We stopped at a red light and he tapped my hand gently. I opened my eyes and Alexander twisted his head to glance back at me, "Do you want to try opening your eyes?" He asked.

"Are you crazy? I'm barely holding on here!" I said loudly in a panicked voice. I felt his laugh reverberate in his torso.

"Close your eyes then," he said gesturing to the green light. I squeezed my eyes shut and placed my forehead back on his back. I clung on tighter as he sped forward.

Alexander turned and parked the bike. As I felt the bike stop, I unclasped my hands from around him and leaned away from him. My body felt cold instantly. I looked around me to see a desolated area with a lone garage standing in the middle.

Alexander stepped off his bike and held his hand out for me. I took it gingerly, looking around me. "What is this place?" I asked curiously as I took my helmet off and placed it on the bike.

Alexander did the same with his helmet before holding out his hand for me. I placed my hand in his before he interlaced our fingers, "Come on," he said leading me forward, butterflies and all.

"Please warn me if something's going to jump out at me," I said cautiously.

He chuckled, "Nothing's jumping out at you. I promise."