21

Elena's POV

I drove to Ruby's house to pick up Gabby. I had packed her stuff and put it inside the car. Mia had fallen asleep while I was putting away our things. Oscar tried to stop me from leaving to work things out but I wasn't having it. I was done with this shit.

"Gabby!" I yell as I park in front of the house and they're sitting on the steps talking. I get out of the car and take Mia out with me as I walk up to the house. "Gabs, we need to go."

"What?" She asks confused. "What do you mean go?"

"I'll explain to you in the car but let's go." I rush her. She gets up quickly, getting her things from the bench.

"What's going on?" Cesar asks.

"Ask your brother." I say before walking away. I know I shouldn't be mad at Cesar.

Poor kid didn't even do anything. But I was just furious with everyone.

I put Mia back in her car seat and I go in the driver's seat. Gabby quickly gets in the car.

I drive off, not knowing where to go. I didn't want to go to my dad's. Oscar would have gone over there. I drive to a motel instead, at least for tonight until I figure out the rest tomorrow.

The drive was quiet. Gabby didn't say a word. That was until I parked the car in front of the hotel and I just let everything out. I felt her hand on my back. She scoots closer to me and hugs me tightly.

"Lena, what's wrong?" She asks.

I sniff, wiping my tears away.

"Oscar fucking cheated on me. Made me move in with him probably so I wouldn't find out. To make shit worse I slept with him that night he cheated." I said shaking my head. "I'm so fucking stupid."

"No, no you're not Lena." Gabby says.

"I am Gabby. Shit, I knew he had a girl but I still tried getting back with him for the sake of our daughter." I say. "I don't know what to do."

"We could stay here for a couple of nights. Or at least until we find a place." She says. "Listen to me though, you're honestly the best mom. You're not stupid."

I hug Gabby for a while. Still trying to let everything out.

*

We settled in our room. It was quite nice, at least for now.

"You hungry?" I ask.

"No."

"You sure?"

"Lena." Gabby says as she gives me a look.

"I'm just trying to see if you're hungry." I say. "I'll be back then, text me if you decide you want something."

I leave the room while she's in bed texting and Mia is asleep. I turn my phone on and see I have lots of missed calls from Spooky, Cesar and my dad. I text my dad really quick and head to the nearest fast food place.

I decided to just go inside the place since I didn't want to get back to the hotel that fast.

"Hi, what can I get you for tonight?" The teenage girl smiles at me.

I ordered the food and the girl gives me my total. I open my purse and notice I forgot my debit card.

"Shit, I'm sorry. I forgot my debit card at home, I'll be back." I say.

"Hey, it's fine, I'll pay for it." The guy behind me says.

"Oh, no it's fine, you don't have to." I smile and walk away.

"No, I insist." He says.

He hands over his debit card and the girl pays for the meal.

"Your food will be right out." She smiles and takes his order. Once he's done, he walks over to me smiling.

"Thank you so much, but you really didn't have to do that." I say.

"I wanted to, you look like you had a really rough day, didn't want to it to be worse with you having to go back to your place to get your card."

"How did you know I had a rough day?" I ask a little confused.

"Um" His hand goes up to his face and motions under his eyes.

"Shit." I take my phone out and look at myself on the screen. I had mascara under my eyes which looked like I was crying. I quickly get a napkin and try to take it off.

"You're okay though?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I say.

""Ma'am, your order is ready." The girl sets the bag on top of the counter and I go get them.

"Thanks again, seriously." I say smiling.

"No problem, hope you have a goodnight." He smiles as he waves.

"Likewise." I say before walking out.

I get into my car and check my phone again. My dad had called me once again so I decide to call him back.

"Lena? Where are you?" He asks right away.

"Dad, I'm staying at a hotel. Just things are not going well with Oscar." I say.

"Did he do something to you? I swear Lena, if he put his hands on you-"

"No dad, he didn't." I say. "I'm okay. I brought Gabby with me, okay?"

"Yeah, I was also calling you to see if you knew where she was, it was getting late."

"She's fine, listen I have to go already, I came to buy food so i'm heading back to the hotel. Please don't tell Oscar where I am."

"I won't, but please call me if anything."

"I will, bye dad."

I toss my phone to the passenger seat and drive home. As I'm driving home, I see a black car following me. Every turn I make, they turn that way too. At a red light, I take my phone out and call Gabby.

"Yeah?"

"Hey, stay on the phone with me okay? I'm almost there."

"Uh, why?" she asks confused.

"Some car is following me, I don't know who it is though." I say turning the corner.

"What? Do you want me to call the police?" She says quickly.

"No, no." I say. "I'm almost home, just stay on the phone with me."

"Lena, you're scaring me."

"Shit, I'm scared as fuck too." I say. "Okay, I'm here. It seems like they're parking too."

"Is it a he or a she?" She asks.

"I don't know, hold on." I say. "Wait what the fuck?"

"What?" She asks.

"I'll be up in a bit." I say before hanging up. I get out the car with my bag of food and approach the guy. "Are you following me?" I ask him. He turns around looking confused and then smirks at me.

"No, actually I been staying here for a couple of days for a business trip until I head back to LA." He says. I feel my face redden and I thank god its night, so he can't see.

"Oh." I say.

"So this is where you're also staying?" He asks as the two of us start to walk towards the hotel entrance.

"Yeah, I don't know for how long though." I say.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"It's a long story, actually." I smile. We enter the lobby and head to the elevator. An older lady is inside with what looks like her grandson. I press the button for my floor and wait for the guy to do the same.

"I'm on the same floor as you." He says.

The elevator opens up and we both walk out.

"How about you tell me this story tomorrow over breakfast? My treat." He says as we walk towards my room.

I turn to look at him in surprise.

"Oh, no no. You don't have to." I say.

"I want to, I been staying here by myself and it's been getting pretty lonely actually. Having some company doesn't sound so bad actually." He says.

"I would love to but I actually come with two other kids." I say in a low voice.

"Oh? Well bring them along!" He laughs. "I honestly wouldn't mind."

"Okay, fine." I laugh. We get close to my room and I turn to look at him. "What's your name by the way?"

"Damn, I'm asking you out for breakfast and we haven't even exchanged names." He says laughing as he scratches his head. "My name is Daniel."

"I'm Elena but my friends call me Lena or El." I smile as I shake his hand.

"Well, it's nice to meet you El, so about tomorrow?" He asks.

"I'm down but with one condition." I say.

"What's that?"

"I pay for breakfast since you already paid for my dinner." I say.

"Alright, alright." He laughs. "I'll give you my number so we can figure out where to eat tomorrow."

We hand each other our phones and save our numbers.

"Okay, so I'll text you later tonight or in the morning." I say. He waves goodbye and I walk up to my door. I slide my card and the door unlocks, Gabby quickly picks up her pocket knife and faces towards the door. "Dude, what the fuck? Put that shit down!"

"You took too long, I got scared!" She says as she closes it back up and put it inside her bag.

I sigh and close the door.

•••••

Sorry for the long wait!

Please make sure to VOTE/COMMENT for the next chapter! Are you guys ready to see who Daniel is going to be played by?!

*DRUM ROLL*

Zac Efron as Daniel Age: 28