"Good evening Paige, I got you some new donuts." I laughed, this is a good evening yes.

"Thank you Caleb."

"So do you have plans for this week?" Spencer asked me.

I shifted a bit uncomfortable in my seat. "I thought off going back to that night shop to say I'm sorry."

Spencer got up and took something out of her purse. "Here. Buy something." She handed me money. I was paralyzed. "I can't."

"Yes you can." I think I will never get used to this, the catch will show up sooner or later.

I was practicing what to say in my head. Should I go inside and buy something? Should I make eye contact or smile at her when I walk in? Shall I apologize as soon as I see her? Maybe she doesn't even recognize me.

As soon I walked in the shop I felt sad also kind of relieved to see a young guy sitting behind the counter. I wandered in the back until I built enough courage to go ask this guy about the girl. I took a few bottles of wine and walked to the counter.

He barely looked at me, his eyes were reading his comic novel while scanning the bottles. "Can I ask you something?" I asked nervously. "Do you maybe know when that girl your colleague is working again? She's not that big and has brown hair." I hopefully looked up at the guy when he finally moved his attention towards me.

"Why you ask that?"

"Ehm just because I-"

I wasn't sure what I wanted to say , luckily I was interrupted quick.

"Do you know something involving the accident?"

My eyes got extremely wide. "What accident?"

"She was hit by a car last night when she was running after some person."

I thought I was going to pass out. I thought I was going to be sick.

"Is she?" I couldn't finish my sentence. I let my two words hang in the air while I tried to remind myself to breath.

"Yes, in the hospital. I don't know anything else sorry." I nodded at his words, I paid for the wine and started to walk back to Spencer's. This can't be true. This girl can't be in the hospital because of me. I started to cry again. I haven't felt this weak in ages.

I arrived back to the house, fresh tears replacing the old ones. I ignored the questions and rushed up the stairs. I collapsed as soon I closed the door of my old bedroom. There it was, the first knockdown in my so called new life. I didn't drive the car but I was the bait.

I noticed some cracks in the wall paper, I touched it with my hand. Let my fingers follow all of the cracks, where the cracks were heavy I pulled at it. I started to cry again, for sure happy tears. It's like I exactly knew where to pull at the paper.

The little crayon drawings of a five year old me were still there. They didn't even paint over it, it was still there only hidden underneath a new paper. Maybe this till can be my home.

I made my way back down. I took a place next to Spencer on the couch. "Where's Caleb?"

"He went home." Her voice was normal, not cold or distant. Her eyes still on the screen. I guess it's her trying to give me space. "I bought you some wine. I left it in my room." I saw her nod at the corner of my eye.

"She was hit by a car after she tried to chase a customer down the street. She's in the hospital now."

"Oh Paige, come here." As soon she put two and two together I was cuddled into her side her hands rubbing my back, telling me it might not be as bad as I think.

"You know what, I will call around first thing in the morning. See if I can find out where she is and in what state she was brought in. Okay?"

I couldn't bring myself to talk so I simply nodded yes.

"You didn't catch a name by any chance?" Something in me said yes, after thinking about it I was sure it was a no. "No." No I don't know anything, only that I put someone in life danger because of my stupidity.


"Hi girls." I was really getting nervous, I try to lead the clinic as good as I can but with a troublemaker of an ex and crazy parents you never can concentrate on anything else for the fullest. Today's meeting subject : Paige. I don't know why my dad is so invested in this, well he did know her and her mother but what do I have to do with it?

The thing that gets me anxious is that I have no clue what Ali hopes to achieve. The private investigator that she hired is that to find her and to connect with her or-. I sighed, didn't even want to finish those thoughts.

Before both our fathers joined us in my office she told me the investigator lost track of Paige. Ali is supposed to take over the little remaining chores of her dad for a little while, and I take full responsibility here. "Yeah of course dad. No problem. I hope you find her."

"Yeah of course but dad you shouldn't do too much." Ali spoke. "I didn't want to tell you but I hired a private investigator." I think my face had utter shock completely written over it.

"What do you mean Ali?"

"He told me she's abroad. I'm sorry dad."

I saw Kenneth face lose all the color he had. It was heart ripping to see. Is this better than tell him she's so close to him but no one knows where? Yes maybe.

"Okay well I guess we should use all the luck possible than."

"But dad, I just told you-"

"I know Ali. But I need to do something, I'm still going to search all over the state. I have to do something."