kicked into overdrive. Where was he? Oh my God, did he leave and not say anything? That fear felt more devastating than it should, but right now that didn’t matter. I wanted to know where he went. I’d gone down to the basement to search for him there, but that came up empty, too. Racing back upstairs, I went into his room only to see that a few of his items were sitting atop the dresser and his backpack sat in a corner. I sagged in relief. He wasn’t gone. Dawson wouldn’t pick up and leave his things here like that. I had a feeling he kept everything he owned in that backpack. Stepping out, I closed my eyes and my shoulders sagged. As my mind calmed, my own reaction to the possibility of him being gone baffled me. I wasn’t in the mood to analyze yet another thing going on with me. This one would have to be pushed aside for now.
Not having any clue where Dawson even was, and telling myself it shouldn’t matter, I grabbed my cell phone and went out on the deck. It was cold outside, but there wasn’t a breeze. With the sun out in full force, I’d be okay without a jacket for a few minutes. Hitting the power button, the phone lit up. My heart started beating for a whole other reason. I had no clue what sort of messages or voicemails awaited me, but I had no doubt it would be enough to make me want to close off for the rest of the day.
Seven texts and ten voicemails. Oh, boy.
Dad: Where are you, Chandler? I’m very worried.
Seth: Came home and you weren’t here. If you needed some space, you should have just said so.
Seth: It’s been two days, Chandler. This isn’t like you. Call me; I’m worried.
Sydney: Your dad is two seconds away from contacting the police. Where in the hell are you?
Sydney: You told me that you’d call. I won’t keep lying to Seth. Please call me.
Seth: Chandler, Syd told me that you ran away. What does she mean you ran away? Where are you?
Seth: I love you. Please just come home and we can work out whatever is going on.
The texts alone were enough to send me spiraling. The sensory overload I was feeling made me want to throw my phone into the woods and pray that an animal ate it. Deciding that reading their words were all that I could handle right now, I powered down my phone and went back inside. Sinking down on one of the leather sofas, I brought my knees to my chest and held myself like that as tightly as I could. I could only imagine what the voicemails contained. Fear that my dad might have actually called the police sat at the forefront of my mind. I had no idea what kind of thing they would do if they were actually out searching for me, but I knew that this was a possibility prior to leaving just over a week ago. It was the sole reason why I was living on a cash only basis. I didn’t want any record of credit card use leaving a trail. Seth could pull it up and see everywhere I’d been and where I was likely staying. Out of the question. I wanted to be left alone. I’d let them know where I was in due time.
Needing something to occupy my head and take me away from my inner thoughts, I got up, grabbed my e-reader, and came back out to make a place for myself in the living room. I figured I had nowhere I needed to be. Dawson was off somewhere, and too much stress was giving me a headache. Not feeling sleepy, I figured my best bet was to immerse myself in a fictional world for a bit.
The front door opened a little while later, and I looked up, seeing that the sun had gone down. Dawson came tracking inside; his cheeks were a rosy red, and his boots covered in snow. He kicked them on the doorstep before coming all the way in and shutting the door. My God, he was a sight to see. He was wearing khaki cargo pants and a navy blue Henley that looked painted onto every curve of his muscular arms. I swallowed hard.
“Hey,” I greeted, trying to appear unaffected.
His dark brown eyes scanned the living room until they landed on me. “Hey.” He looked surprised to see me
Not having any clue where Dawson even was, and telling myself it shouldn’t matter, I grabbed my cell phone and went out on the deck. It was cold outside, but there wasn’t a breeze. With the sun out in full force, I’d be okay without a jacket for a few minutes. Hitting the power button, the phone lit up. My heart started beating for a whole other reason. I had no clue what sort of messages or voicemails awaited me, but I had no doubt it would be enough to make me want to close off for the rest of the day.
Seven texts and ten voicemails. Oh, boy.
Dad: Where are you, Chandler? I’m very worried.
Seth: Came home and you weren’t here. If you needed some space, you should have just said so.
Seth: It’s been two days, Chandler. This isn’t like you. Call me; I’m worried.
Sydney: Your dad is two seconds away from contacting the police. Where in the hell are you?
Sydney: You told me that you’d call. I won’t keep lying to Seth. Please call me.
Seth: Chandler, Syd told me that you ran away. What does she mean you ran away? Where are you?
Seth: I love you. Please just come home and we can work out whatever is going on.
The texts alone were enough to send me spiraling. The sensory overload I was feeling made me want to throw my phone into the woods and pray that an animal ate it. Deciding that reading their words were all that I could handle right now, I powered down my phone and went back inside. Sinking down on one of the leather sofas, I brought my knees to my chest and held myself like that as tightly as I could. I could only imagine what the voicemails contained. Fear that my dad might have actually called the police sat at the forefront of my mind. I had no idea what kind of thing they would do if they were actually out searching for me, but I knew that this was a possibility prior to leaving just over a week ago. It was the sole reason why I was living on a cash only basis. I didn’t want any record of credit card use leaving a trail. Seth could pull it up and see everywhere I’d been and where I was likely staying. Out of the question. I wanted to be left alone. I’d let them know where I was in due time.
Needing something to occupy my head and take me away from my inner thoughts, I got up, grabbed my e-reader, and came back out to make a place for myself in the living room. I figured I had nowhere I needed to be. Dawson was off somewhere, and too much stress was giving me a headache. Not feeling sleepy, I figured my best bet was to immerse myself in a fictional world for a bit.
The front door opened a little while later, and I looked up, seeing that the sun had gone down. Dawson came tracking inside; his cheeks were a rosy red, and his boots covered in snow. He kicked them on the doorstep before coming all the way in and shutting the door. My God, he was a sight to see. He was wearing khaki cargo pants and a navy blue Henley that looked painted onto every curve of his muscular arms. I swallowed hard.
“Hey,” I greeted, trying to appear unaffected.
His dark brown eyes scanned the living room until they landed on me. “Hey.” He looked surprised to see me
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