Find You in the Dark

thought about sending a text to Rachel and Daniel. I felt like, maybe I should tell them what was going on. They would be furious with me. But I couldn't change things now. I was quiet as Clay drove down the darkened interstate. He said we'd drive just over the border into North Carolina and then stop somewhere to sleep.
    The further we drove from home, the more ugly doubts crept into my mind. I looked down at our hands joined together and felt the electric tingle where our skin touched. No, I made the right decision. This boy was my world.
    “Are you going to text Rachel or Danny?” Clay asked me suddenly. I looked up with a start, having been lost in my fairy tale thoughts of a happily ever after with him. “Um. I don't know.” I answered a little unsurely.
    Clay grunted and suddenly pulled off the road and put the car into park. “What are you doing?” I asked him in confusion. Clay unbuckled his seat belt and climbed over into my seat. He pulled me into his arms and kissed my entire face before stopping on my mouth.
    “I know what you're giving up to do this. And I love you so much, Maggie. You have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met and I thank God every day that he brought you into my life.” His lips lingered on mine, tasting me.
    “But please don't give up on everything else because of me. I've made my choices. I'm okay with them. But your friends deserve to know you're okay. I don't want you to wake up tomorrow morning thinking this is the worst mistake you could have made.”
    “Aren't you glad I came with you?” I asked quietly, worried he regretted bringing me along. Clay kissed my mouth, his lips lingering on mine. “God, of course I'm glad you came. But I just don't want you to think you have to cut everyone out of your life because of it. I want you to be happy.” He told me. His eyes never left mine and I could tell he really meant what he was saying.
    Clay reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out my phone. He put it in my hand. “Text Rachel and Daniel. Please.” I looked at him and nodded. I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I love you.” I told him again before scrolling through my contacts until I found Rachel's number.
    I sent her a quick text telling her that I had left with Clay. That things had gotten bad with his family and he needed a little breather- a break. I asked her to tell my parents that I was sorry, but that I was okay and I would contact them soon. I knew she wouldn't get the text for awhile, since it was 2:30 in the morning. Just hitting the send button made me feel better, made my chest not feel as tight.
    Clay pulled back onto the interstate after I put the phone away. “Thanks for making me do that.” I said. Clay shook his head. “You don't have to thank me for that. You do what you have to do, Maggie. I'll support you the way you've always supported me. We're in this forever.” He stated with such certainty, that I believed it – all of it.. I knew he loved me and maybe, just maybe, that would be enough.
    We drove for another two and a half hours before we pulled off at a small town just over the border of North Carolina. Clay had seen a sign for a Motel 6 off the highway. We were both exhausted and I desperately wanted a bed and a good eight hours of sleep.
    Clay pulled into a darkened parking lot. The vacancy sign was flickering, making it all look like something out of a cheesy horror movie. There was only one other car outside the motel.
    “You sure know how to wine and dine a gal.” I teased as we got out of the car. I was happy to stretch my legs. Clay smiled. “Next time, we'll find something a little nicer. Promise.” I put my arms around his waist. “It doesn't matter Clay. As long as we're together.” He kissed me sweetly before we went into the lobby to get a room.
    The guy behind the front desk seemed uninterested in the fact that two teenagers wanted a motel room at five in the morning. He never once made eye contact as Clay paid him in cash and collected the room key. “There's an ice and vending machines outside.” The front desk guy said mechanically. We nodded our thanks and walked out of the dingy lobby.
    We found our room and I tried not to shudder as I took in the shabby stained carpet that might have been green when it was new. There was one queen sized bed with a comforter that had obvious cigarette burns all over it and two flat pillows.
    Clay put his bag down on the chair that looked as if it had been rescued