What do you say when words fail (Alex tag Any)

[Alex Bridgerton]

[Character Name: Alexandra Bridgerton]
[Location: memorial]

Alex had figured that she should attend the memorial, even if she barely knew the kids at the school. She still felt the need to show her respects. It had been a tragic day for everyone. Alex had no idea such violence existed. She had lived in such a bubble from her parents and her world. In her world this did not happen. Alex dressed in a simple black dress. Her hair was half up and half down. She had planned on either going to see Ashley or at least calling him so he would not be shocked she was here, but so far she had not had the strength to do any of it.

Alex had her Aunt drive her to the memorial. She still could not get use to driving on the right side of the rode. Alex walked up to the school when her rang. She had forgotten to shut it off. Alex walked over to a tree far enough away that she would not interrupt the memorial. She was going to ignore the call, but the number said it was her mother, so she felt she should answer it, "Hello mother, May I call you back?"

"Alexandra....Your Aunt has called to tell me what you failed to mention. A shooting....at your school. I do not approve young lady. You will get on a plan and return this instant. This is nonsense."

Alex sighed, "Mother, bloody hell. Please. I am not a child. I can handle this. What happened yesterday was a tragedy/ However, I will not return. Not only did father tell me never to return home...I have not even seen Kai. Mother I am fine. Trust me."

Alex's mother sighed on the phone, "Alex you must understand you are my daughter. I love you. The decision you are making is bloody insane. This boy used you for bonking and you know it."

"Mother....." Alex said as she said the word bonking.

"Don't you mother me I am allowed to speak the way I see fit and if you are going to act like a child, then I will talk to you as if you are a child."

Alex rolled her eyes. "Mother, I cannot speak now. I will give you a bell later. I love you too Mother, now please no more talking about bonking. Its embarrassing." Alex said as she hung up the phone. Another thing she finally had the guts to do. Her mother could act like more of a child. As Alex turned around she jumped. Someone apparently had been standing behind her for who know how long. "You frightened me."

Tag Any

[Ben Patridge]

Ben was high. Ben smoked a lot of weed, but when he couldn't deal with something...that's when he tended to smoke the most. Eden was the same way. She was more torn up about the whole thing than he was...probably because she'd been with Jett when it happened. She kept saying how awful she felt about the whole prank and how she had to confess...

Ben couldn't really weigh in on it. It was a brilliant prank but at the same time, he could see where his sister was coming from. The other boy had saved her life. Even Ben felt a little bad about the prank now, but he'd have time to talk to Jett later. Both Jett and Izzy had been hurt which seemed unfair because both he and Eden had been okay. He really would have to do something for Jett eventually to thank him for saving his sister but right now he couldn't really think about it because he was too high.

He parked in the lot, knowing full well that he probably shouldn't be driving but he smoked and drove so much anymore that he felt like it didn't really effect him. Eden hadn't wanted to come to the memorial, she said she was still too upset and didn't want to leave the house. Ben could see where she was coming from but at the same time he felt like he had to get out of the house. He couldn't sit still...he felt like he had to do something, and since there was a memorial he figured he should go even though he hadn't known any of them people who died personally. It still sucked.

When he got there he decided that he wanted to smoke a little more before he went in. He grabbed a pre-rolled joint and headed over towards some trees to smoke it. He didn't want to be in his car anymore. As he walked over he heard a girl with a British accent talking on the phone. He'd only just approached when she turned around and jumped.

"Sorry," he said. "I was just looking for somewhere to smoke," he said, his eyes already dilated from the drugs. "What's bonking?"

[Ashley Bolton]

Ashley walked into the mermorial with something a kin to a small smile on his lips, this was something close to a fitting tribute to those who had been lost and those who had been hurt, it did help that theh cheque had been clearled thanks to some quick work by the bank. It felt good to have his money issues relieved, to know that his son was taken care of, even if it was under the worst of circumstances.

His day was getting decidely less than pleasant when he spotted someone he thought he recognized, someone he had hoped he would never see again but then he needed to know whether it was her, and if it was her what the hell she was doing in LA... thoughts of his son came to mind.

As he came up to the girl in question and the tone of voice that she used with her mother, plus that air, he knew his nightmare had come true, and the one person he really would have been happy never seeing again in his life was sitting in a seat.

"You frightened me."

"Hello Alex, fancy seeing you here." Ashley said as he sat down next to her. "I would say its a pleasure to see you again, but my mother always told me it was rude to tell lies." Ashley said to her he knew he was being hard... but he had been hurting for a long time, and the girl just reappearing in his life was not something that he wished to experience.

[Alex Bridgerton]

Alex looked at the guy she had bumped into. She sat down on a bench that was next to her, "Smoke? Do you mean cigarettes?" Thanks to her bubble Alex could be a tad ignorant. Her british accent alone should tell the man that she probably had no idea what he was talking about. She blushed when he asked what bonking means. "It is just another term used in England to refer to sex. My mother seems to enjoy the use of the word. I swear she is younger then me." Alex said giving a light laugh. "Pleasure to meet you. I am Alexandra. Just moved here. I thought I should come although I barely know any one." Her first day had been yesterday. She had not had the chance to meet anyone. "You may smoke here? I do not mind?"

All the sudden out of no where Ashley showed up and sat next to her. As expected he still seemed angry. She knew it. To be honest Alex was angry with herself so she could not even blame Ashley for the way he greeted her. She shifted slightly. Feelings she had tried to deny came fluttering back, but she was determined not to focus. This was for her son. Ashley's life was his business. She just came for her son, "Hello Ashley." She said with a sweet smile. "I was going to give you a ring but I was not sure you would have spoken to me. I am living here now."

There was no reason to beat around the bush. She might as well be honest, "I have made a choice and I choose Kai. I want to be in his life." She said looking at him. She was as serious as can be right now. She did not expect custody. Ashley was free to keep it. There was no way she could have taken care of Kai. Besides Alex was sure Ashley was doing a good job. "I will work on your terms, but I am not going away. Not this time." She said. She had rehearsed a bettr speach, but it was not this was not the place for it. Besides she did not want to be rude to the company they had.

Then she turned her eyes back to Ben, and smiled, "Did you know anyone who..um....any who was an unfortunate casualty or got hurt due to yesterday's events."

[Ben Patridge]

Ben, high as he was, laughed when she told him what bonking was. "Wow....British have the funniest words for things," he blurted, not really thinking about what he was saying due to the pot. "Oh great," he added, pulling out his joint and lighter. "You wanna hit?" he asked as he lit up.

He watched as Ashley approached and say down next to the girl. He had met Ashley just once...on Valentine's Day. He was the guy with the kid that he'd met through some of Izzy's friends. "Dude man...I remember you," Ben grinned, taking another hit, "you're that guy with the kid!"

Ben took another hit, half listening to what they were saying. "Shit," he blurted once he put their words together. "She's the mom...you guys were bonking." He actually laughed a little. "Shit," he said again. He put out the joint on the tree. "Right casualties...not but hurt yes," he mumbled. "And ya know what I should probably go memorialize them..."

Even high as he was he knew full well he'd just made a fool out of himself. He stuffed the joint back in his pocket figuring he'd finish it later. He figured he was just in the way. "See ya man," he said to Ashley. "Nice meeting you....British girl," he said realizing he didn't know her name.

Still feeling unbelievable awkward, Ben turned and headed for the school building.

wrap for Ben (unless someone wants to call him back)

[Ashley Bolton]

Ashley looked like he was somewhere between telling the girl where to go and hugging her, he had thought he would be deliriously happy if she had walked back into their lives, but now all it did was annoy him that the girl was back in there lives... what ever feelings he had for her, it seemed were buried under the pile of hate that he felt for the last two years and the struggle just to get the girls family to acknowledge their son's existance.

"We will talk, but not here and certainly not right now." Ashley said to her as he took his phone out of his pocket and handed it to her, on the wallpaper was a image of the boy in question. "Thats what you missed, two years you can't have back, but I'm glad to see you grew a back bone and decided you want to play a part in his life." Ashley said to her he didn't care that what he might be saying was hurtful to her.

He didn't know what the girl expected and some part of him really didn't care what she felt about the harsh words, but the other part of him was saying that he could not keep the girl away from her son not without at least one more chance to make up for what had happened after his birth.

"Your get your chance, screw it up and I swear to god you will never get another." Ashley growled.

[Alex Bridgerton]

"That is old news. I am here now. No need to discuss my uh....bones." Americans had funny expressions. Or perhaps that was Alex's sheltered world. Alex took the phone that Ashley offered and looked at the screen. Her heart wrenched at how much she had missed. She ran a hand over the screen and smiled a soft smiled. Alex choked back tears that would fall when she returned home, even though tears at a memorial were normal, but these tears were different and not only did they not belong here, but they did not belong in front of Ashley. Although she did not appreciate the harsh words, he had every right. However, he was not being half as cruel as Alex had been to herself over the years. He was right, it was about time she grew a back bone, "I will not screw this up Ashley."

Alex handed him back the phone, "Yes, well here is my American phone number. Give me a bell when I can come see him. I will be there." She took out a piece of paper and wrote her number down. She held it out for him to take. Alex looked at him and it broke her heart to know she would never get back what they once had, but it was her own fault she screwed it up. She gave in to her father's threats. Threats Ashley did not know about and if Alex had her way, Ashley would never know about the threats.

Although, what makes now different from then. The fact her parents are an ocean away, Alex finally did get a back bone and any threat made was useless now. At least in Alex's mind. Call it blackmail, but Alex had some information about her father she could use if need be. So despite being cut off, she knew her father would not interefere. Or so she hoped, "In addition to school I also have a job. I will work around my schedule. Just please give me a bell and tell me when and where I can see my son and I will have the time." Alex hoped Ashley did give her a chance she really wanted to make it up to Kai. Odds are all hope was lost with Ashley, even if Alex did wish there was, but right now. In this moment she was focused on Kai.

[Ashley Bolton]

Ashley smiled at her it was the first time he had smiled and meant it with regard to Alex since he had sat down next to her, he saw her fighting back the tears and felt like he should do something, but the more he wanted to the more he decided that it was a very bad idea to show that he still cared even if it was a remotely small part of him which did, he would not allow himself to be hurt by the girl.

"You meant to say our son." he corrected her. "You may have given birth to him, but he is our son." Ashley told her as he looked straight at her. "I'm not working most of the time and when I am its at the main store here in LA, I get wages from my parents for that alone." Ashley said to her. "When you left, you had no idea what a mess you were leaving behind." Ashley told her. "I've never told him anything about why you aren't there, he is not old enough to understand that." Ashley added. "I would prefer we keep that part of his past out of his hearing range until he is much older." Ashley said to her.

"You can expect worse from my parents when they find out your back, just be warned if your expecting a warm and fuzzy reception, you would be foolish." he added.

[Alex Bridgerton]

Alex shifted a little at his stare. It was a little unnerving and made her nervous. Alex had no idea what Ashley was thinking and she did not like that, but so far he seemed to be okay with her wanting back in Kai's life. Thats really the only reason she was here. It was not to make nice with Ashley's parents, it was for her son. Maybe part of her hoped for something with Ashley, but Alex was aware that was wishful thinking and would not come true. Right now her focus was on her .....their son. "Our son...my apologies."

Alex nodded, "Do....do you and I have to tell him about my mistake one day? I would rather he never know, but if you feel it is best then when you think he can handle it I will explain my reasons for the mistake I made. Just one thing, and I know I have no right to ask, but when I do explain, which as you mention I am sure will not happen for many more years, but let me do it alone. Just Kai and I." Alex did not need Ashley knowing anything. She was not here to explain. It was all in the past and Alex was looking forward to the future.

"Oh...I have to meet your parents....I never thought of that." Alex thought she would end up meeting Ashley some where to pick up Kai or he would drop Kai off. Apparently Alex could not avoid the flames for ever, "I am not being a fool Ashley. I am well aware what I am in for. " Alex assured him.

"I knew it the moment I decided to return, but please know this. I do not care what your parents say or do. I am here for Kai. So they can dislike me all they want, I know I deserve it, but nothing it taking me away this time. I will be applying to become an American Citizen as soon as I reach eighteen. I am not leaving this time. I am here for out son and I won't walk away again. I gav....I mean to say I have made my decision and I am just sorry i did not make it sooner. Besides I am sure you know all about the dislike of parents." Her parents did hate him after all. She was about to mention how she was giving up everything to do this, but Ashely did not need to hear about her life and she had no right to tell him.

[Ashley Bolton]

Ashley nodded at her comments, "Your parents had a right to be angry about a great deal many things, what they did not have the right to do is seperate you from Kai, you made your choices then and you have gone back on them for what ever reason, I don't expect to find out the true reasons why you left. Nor for that matter do I expect to know the true reasons you returned." Ashley said to her. "Oh please don't insult me by trying to tell me you have been completely honest with regards to your departure or your return for that matter. I do not want to know either, your his mother that is where it starts and ends..." Ashley said to her he need to be clear that he wanted nothing more than that from her, if he did not anything could happen.

"I'll call your number after we are out of here, so you have my mobile number, I would give you the house number but I severely doubt that my parents would be to happy with me giving you that, at least until I after I drop the bombshell that you have come back to the US, and want to be a part of Kai's life and mine I guess." Ashley said to her.

"If you want to meet him properly, we can arrange something tonight if you like, we normally head for the beach... he seems to like it... anyway the choice is yours." he said to her.