We Had It All In Front Of Us [Travis Clark]

Lying in bed with nothing but the shining moon to lighten the room, Travis Clark was wide awake emotionless. Everything, for the past three days, had turn to a wreck. No, it was worse then a wreck. It was a full on car accident. Complete with no survivors, road damage and broken hearts all around. He had messed up things big time and there was no way he could fix things. The redhead boy was screwed.
He had cheated on his girlfriend Sasha Torres with none other then his best girl friend of nineteen years, Rachel Owens. It hadn't been long before Sasha found out about them going behind her back and then the real drama had started. He felt terrible for putting both girls through such rough times, but he knew what he had done was right. He may have been crushed right now, his heart black and blue, but he knew it was worth it if it brought out the truth of whom he loved.
Begging for a sleep that would never come, he ran his hand over his face and through his messy hair. He hadn't showered in three days, making his hair greasy and hard to skim his fingers through. Letting out a long exhale he sat up on his bed and stared at his bedside table. There sat the picture he had avoided looking at. To think that less than a week ago, they had been the best of friends, was heartbreaking to say the least.
He stared down at the picture with a hard gaze. It was barely visible in the darkness, but he could make out the shapes of the three. He reached out with a trembling hand and faced the picture down. His hand rested there for a moment, wondering what the other two in the picture were doing at this moment. Were they thinking of him right now? Were they plotting revenge? What was racing through their minds? Did they hate him?
He pushed the thoughts of them away from his mind as he climbed through his bedroom window. There was only place where he wanted to be right now, and it certainly wasn't at home. He had to go somewhere that brought him peace and time to mess through his thoughts. He jumped eagerly down onto the lawn and walked towards his destination.
It was a dark and quiet night in Bradenton, Florida. Most may have found it almost eerie. There was always something going on in the neighbourhood, but tonight for some reason there wasn't. It gave Travis a calm feeling. Now, nothing could break his thoughts. As the silence dragged on, he scuffled his shoes until he arrived in front of the large gate.
He smirked at the ominous fence. It wasn't tall, but it was put there for safety. He could think of countless occasions when him and his friends would jump over it to have late night swims or walks on the beach. Anything to get away from the real world and just spend time by themselves.
As he began to climb the fence, he felt his heart swelling. His bones were aching for him to stop, to get down from the fence. His stomach rumbled and he blamed it all on the fact that he hadn't eaten in almost four days. He couldn't stop now though. He needed to do this. He needed to clear his head.
But was that what this place would bring him? Wouldn't the beach bring him more painful memories and clouded feelings? He wasn't sure, but he was willing to try it. As he jumped down on the other side, he began to walk towards the spot. The spot where every pivotal moment in his life had happened. He came here to write lyrics, to think, to escape it all. It was his haven that he only shared with one other person, his best friend. The one who caused all of this turmoil.
He shook the painful thoughts away and walked over towards the rock. His gaze stumbled upon a strange sight. There was a notebook on top of one of the rocks, with a pen perched to the side. His eyebrow raised and he bit the inside of his cheek. Looking around he saw no one, so continued to pick up the pen and pad.
"You're so predictable." A voice broke his thoughts and he turned quickly to look behind him. His eyes widened at the girl that stood before him. There she was, in all her glory. A plain white v-neck t-shirt and jean short shorts. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a messy ponytail and her tear stained cheeks pained him and brought him back to reality.
"Rachel," He spoke softly, "what are you doing here?"
She laughed and rolled her eyes. Strolling over to him she took a seat beside him and looked out at the ocean, "I've been coming here every night since that day. I knew you'd show up eventually. I just didn't know when. I put those there." She nodded at the book and pen, "I thought you'd want to write."
Travis stayed silent. He wasn't sure how to feel. Should he feel relieved that she didn't seem angry with him? Worried that she expected more out of him?
"Don't look so confused Trav," She spoke with a small chuckle and played lightly with a strand of his hair, "Note to self; ginger hair looks good greasy."
He let out a small laugh. Give it to Rachel to make jokes at a time like this. He took in a slow and shaky breath, "Why are you talking to me?"
"What do you mean?" She asked and scooted closer to him.
"Well," he began, "Shouldn't you be making a dartboard with my picture on it? Or making creepy voodoo dolls and stabbing them in the eyes?"
Rachel was silent and Travis was instantly worried. Had he mentioned this too soon? Should he have pretended as though, like her, nothing happened?
"I should be." She whispered and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. She looked up at Travis with her green eyes and sighed, "But I can't Travis. You and I both know that I can't ever be mad at you."
He nodded solemnly and they both stared out at the water. It was a comfortable silence, though Travis felt awkward. He'd give nothing to just reach out and pull her into his arms. Whisper that he loved her and stay with her that way forever, but this wasn't the movies. This was real life.
"Have you talked to Sasha?" She asked meekly and her eyebrows were furrowed together. Her grimace said it all.
Travis shook his head, "I doubt she'll talk to me ever again."
"Nah," Rachel said and lightly pushed his arm with hers, "She loves you, she'll talk to you before you know it."
"How can you be so calm and chill about this Rach?" He asked abruptly. The question had been eating away at his mind and he was desperate for her answer.
She took a shaky breath, "I guess, I don't know. I just figure that we weren't meant to be anything more then best friends Travy. As much as I want that to change, I know it can't and I accept it. You're meant to be with Sasha. And if I can just hold on, and be there for you as a friend; maybe that's better then loving you."
Travis heard a crack in her voice and he looked up to her eyes. They were slowly forming with tears and he pulled her into a tight hug. Her back was resting against his chest as he placed his lips on her hair.
"Admit it Travis, you're in love with Sasha more then you'll ever be with me and there's nothing that can change that." She said quietly and Travis felt the warm tears on his arms.
He pulled her tight and mumbled into her hair, "You were the one Rach, and you still are. I'm just fucked up right now. I'm in love with you…but-"
"Oh come on Travis," She spoke abruptly and pulled away from him with anger, "I'm everything that's bad for you. I made you cheat on your girlfriend for Christ's sake. I made you hook up with me here, how many times? I've hurt everyone with my stupid actions and I loathe myself for it. I'm so sorry."
"Hey, hey, hey," Travis cooed and linked his hands with hers, "Make no apologies, I'm the one who couldn't get enough of you. I should be the one apologizing."
She shook her head and looked up at Travis with dead eyes, "I'm a home wrecking whore and I'm slowly losing the one I love to another girl."
He did something that shocked both of them. He touched her chin lightly with his hand and tilted it up. Swiftly, he pushed his lips down onto hers. They kissed for a few moments before he pulled away, "I'd do it all again for you."