The President's Daughter by David Dower (if you liked this book txt) 📕

I noticed that small figure was Garrett, he was sipping on his chocolate milk when I opened the front seat getting in.

“It’s about time,” Gavin muttered, turning to face me. “I thought you flew to Finland or something.” He said, starting up the car.

“Relax bud, I just had to take care of certain things before I could leave. Besides, you didn’t tell me if we were stopping for breakfast. A girl can’t function on an empty stomach.”

Gavin just rolled his eyes in respond as I buckled myself in.

I turned to the small boy who was seated in the middle of us staring at me with curious eyes. “Hey Garrett,” I said, smiling at the little boy.

“Hi Ali!” He responded, giving me a toothy smile. “Did you know it’s Gavy’s birthday?” He said, his blue eyes widening.

I nodded my head, “Yes, I do.” I said, tuning to Gavin. “Happy birthday, rainbow.”

I watched as a small smile appeared on his face as he turned to face me for a brief second. “Thanks, nerd.”

I smiled as I continued to chatter with the four year old who was sitting next to me. I listened to the little boy as he told me about the car set Gavin had promised to get him on his birthday which was coming up next month.

“Do you want anything else for your birthday?” I questioned.

He nodded, “I want daddy to stop being mad all the time and yelling at Gavin and I want mommy to come home but Gavin says mommy is in a better place.” He said, pouting slightly.

My mouth opened and closed like a gaping fish not knowing how to respond to that. “Mom’s in a better place now.” Gavin said, to his younger brother.

“But, why can’t be with us and be in a better place?” Garrett asked, whining.

Gavin didn’t respond as he continued to stare at the road ahead of him. I noticed his grip on the wheel tightening and his knuckles beginning to turn white so I steered clear of the whole parental conversation.

Grabbing my black wedges from my shoe rack, I opened my closet door walking out. Noticing the lack of Thomas in my room.

I walked over to where he was standing once before, lifting up the frame as I stared at it for a couple of seconds. Placing it properly in its place, than what Thomas had left it in.

“I miss this,” I whispered, softly to myself, as I stared at the frame one last time before walking over to my desk and grabbing my phone that I left charging.

I grabbed a couple of bucks from my wallet, stuffing it into my pocket, walking out of the room and towards the staircase. It was now, 7:05 and I wasn’t a hundred percent sure if we were going to grab breakfast on the way to where the hell we were going.

Making my way towards the kitchen, I said my good mornings to a few guards who were milling up and down the hallway.

“Morning,” I muttered, to my parents who were in there usual seats for breakfast.

I sat down on my chair as I waited for Marco to bring me my breakfast, like he did very morning.

My father nodded his head at my direction while he continued to sip his coffee, “Alice. Hun, why are you up so early? I don’t expect you downstairs for another half an hour…” My mother trailed, off.

“You know early bird gets the worm.” I chirped, putting on a fake smile.

She just raised her eyebrows in suspicion, “Since when were you ever a morning person?” She questioned, “Now, that I notice… You are a little dressed up for school don’t you think?” She asked, looking at my outfit in suspicion.

I rolled my eyes, “Mom, I doubt it’s a crime for me to try to look decent for school?

“Just asking. But, to be sure you are going to school are you?”

I gulped, “Of course. Where else would I be going? The moon?” I questioned, sarcastically. Knowing that I was lying between my teeth to my own mother.

She shrugged her shoulders, as she continued to drink her tea. “Alright, but just don’t call me from jail to bail you out or something.” She said, in a joking matter.

I forced out a laugh, jail was the last place I expect myself to end up.

Marco placed a plate in front of me that included bagel with crème cheese and a glass of milk. I gulped the milk down in a few seconds as I took a few bites out of my sandwich.

Once I was done half of it, I realized the time and I was running late.

“Alice… You don’t have to leave for school for another forty minutes. Where are you going?” My father asked, placing his mug down and giving me his undivided attention.

“A friend is actually going to pick me up.”

He tiled his head, “Do I know this certain friend?”

“No?” I replied, making it sound more like a question.

“No?” My father repeated.

I shook my head, “Dad, you don’t need to worry about it. I have to go,” I said, taking a last bite out of my bagel. “Love you.” I said, kissing my mom on the cheek before I left the room.

I ran my hands through my hair as I realized I was running ten minutes late, when I noticed Ben coming through the front doors.

“Hi Ben,” I muttered, trying to walk past him and out the doors. “Bye Ben.”

He grabbed my arm pulling me back before I could leave. “Where do you think you are going? We still have time until we have to leave.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you I am not going to school. I am spending the day with Gavin because it is his birthday…” Chapter Forty-Six: Resisting You

“You’re gonna miss me by my hair, you’re gonna miss me everywhere, you’re gonna miss me when I am gone… When-"

I scratched my head as I listened carefully to the words that had just played before Gavin shut of the radio. It was kind of a coincidence this certain song played.

I quickly glanced at Gavin from the corner of my eye as he just stared at the endless road ahead of him. No talking or nothing, just focusing on the road.

“So where are we heading?” I asked, turning to face him.

“The beach. It is five minutes away from here and it’s a place that is really close to my heart.”

I nodded my head. I was glad that Gavin was now beginning to open up to me, maybe this relationship or whatever we were was going somewhere and maybe it was time for me to start opening up to him and tell him who I really am… You know before it is too late.

“Gavin…?” I whispered, softly.

He turned his head to look at me as the car approached a red light. “Yeah?”

“Why did you decide to open up to me?”

He looked at me with a hard expression, “Because I trust you.”

I swallowed the spit that was indulged in my throat. It wasn’t the answer I was expecting nor was it something I wanted to hear. “Oh.”

“Do you trust me?”

I nodded my head, “Of course.” But, I think we both knew I was lying judging by the skeptical look he was giving me.

“Then if you really trust me you would tell me what is going on in that head of yours. Because if you haven’t realized I am no mind reader.” He said, drawing his attention back onto the road and pressing on the gas.

“But, it’s something big and I honestly do not know how you are going to take it.”

“My secret was pretty big too. My mother committed suicide, I am sorry but that isn’t something you normally bring up in a conversation.”

I breathed in deeply. “But, it’s going to change things.”

He shrugged his shoulders, “It might. But it can also make us stronger.” He said, glancing at me briefly. “So Ali, will you please tell me what is bugging you?”

I looked down at my lap. It was now or never and I slightly starting to lean towards the never side of things.

The car approached a stop when I looked up to see the beach in front of us.

“I know I am kind of pressuring you to tell me. But, tell me when you are ready. You didn’t pressure me and I would sure like to do the same to you.” He spoke, completely changing his mind.

I smiled, as I leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. I knew it was hard for him to tell me something he really wanted to know. But, when I was ready to tell him I have been lying to him the whole time about who I was. I will… and hopefully the outcome wouldn’t be so bad.

“Ready to hit the beach?” He asked, changing the topic.

I nodded my head, opening the side door and stepping out.

My eyes scanned the beach as I watched a few people here and there. I knew it wouldn’t be so busy because it was a school day and the only people who would be here is the older generation.

Gavin came around to join me with a picnic basket in hand. “Let’s go, nerd.” He said, beginning to walk towards the open sand as I followed in close pursuit behind him.

Instead of going where the majority of people are Gavin walked towards the other side of the beach.

“Where are you going?” I called out to Gavin, who kept walking towards the other deserted side of the beach.

“That way,” He replied, not bothering to look back.

I narrowed my eyes as I quickly ran after him. “I know that. I mean where are you going? There is nothing over there.” I said, as we walked further down the west coast of the beach.

“Well if you would shut up and follow me. I am pretty sure you would be pretty excited to where we are going.” He said, leaving no room for an argument as I followed his instructions and continued going to wherever he seemed to be taking me.

As we began to get to the more secluded part of the beach alarm bells were beginning to ring in my head.

“Watch your step, there’s some rocks and such.” Gavin called out, as he led the way to this path that led up to a cliff.

“Are you sure we are allowed to be here?” I questioned, looking up at the cliff we were about to climb.

“Of course, my mother always brought me here when I was younger. Come on Ali, have a little faith in me. Won’t you?” He said, looking back at me holding out his hand for me to grasp.

“Fine. But, it kind of seems like this isn’t part of the beach but someone’s property.”

I didn’t see his face but I could imagine him rolling his eyes. “Yes Ali. It is someone’s property. The beaches.”

I shrugged as together we continued hand in hand up the path that led us to the top of the cliff. “So, do you know how your mom found this place?”

“My grandparents always brought her to this beach. She always use to tell me stories of how she went exploring and one day she stumbled across here.”

“Where are your grandparents?” I