A/N: Enjoy.
Bitsy's POV
I didn't understand why I had to go to her house. She didn't raise me. She was some dumb person who didn't care about who or what I was. The Mallrats were my family and I didn't need any more.
"I know what you are thinking," my father said. "Just give her a chance. You'll like her. I promise." He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and tried to pull me closer.
I shrugged him off as I yelled, "NO! I don't want to get to know her! She hasn't tucked me into bed in years, if ever. She doesn't know what I eat in the morning. I bet she was even glad to get rid of me and now she's putting on some show to make it look like she wanted me back." I realized that I took it too far when my father grabbed my shoulders and bent to my eye level.
"Stop it, I mean it. You pride yourself on being part of the Mallrats, but you follow none of their beliefs and values. We gave people a chance. We took a chance and let Bray and Trudy in. They took in Siva even though she was a Techno." He stopped and took a quick breath.
"Do you know why we found your mother so quickly?" I meekly shook my head. I didn't like the way this was turning. "She has been looking for you for years. Her file was the first they pulled because she has been looking the longest and hardest."
I angrily wiped away the tears flowing down my face. Okay, so she did like me on some level, but that didn't mean that I had to like her. My father knew I wasn't going to easily change my point of view, so he grabbed my hand. "Just behave yourself tonight. If I really thought that she couldn't take care of you, I would fight with everything I got for her not to take you."
We gathered my stuff and silently walked to Delia's car. She opened the trunk and helped me put my things in there. I turned to try and convince my father one last time, but the adamant look on his face told me I couldn't. We said our good-byes and I climbed into the car. Delia talked to my father for a little while and then she too climbed into the car.
I sat in stony silence as she tried to get me to talk. She finally stopped trying and I was able to focus on the scenery. It seemed very familiar and my suspicions were confirmed when we passed Kristin's house. My brain went into overdrive.
Maybe I could sneak out and then I wouldn't have to spend my time there. Not that she really cares, but... We pulled into her drive way and walked inside. The house was typical of modern day homes. It still held the miss-matched pieces of furniture that tribes used to furnish their 'homes' with.
"Could I use the phone?" I said breaking our silence. She seemed happy to hear me talk, but was a little unsure about letting me on a phone. It took it a step further. "My father asked me to call him when we arrived."
"Well, sure then. There's one in your bedroom. Follow me." We walked down the hallway until we came to the last door. Perfect I couldn't help but think. She opened the door and we walked into a room filled with white furniture and flower-printed wallpaper. A typical guest bedroom.
"We can decorate to your taste whenever you want. I want you to feel at home." I nodded my head and she pointed the phone out to me. She seemed to stand there as I picked it up.
"Can I have some privacy?"
"Of course..." she said, muttering an apology and closing the door. This was going to be way too easily. I called Kristin's cell phone. Salene bought her one as a way to let Kristin keep in touch with her friends. This was one secret they kept from Pride. The phone rang a couple of times and Kristin's voice filled my ear. "Hello?"
"Hi Kristin. It's Bitsy. Can I come over?"
Delia's POV
What was wrong with me? I got all excited when she finally spoke to me, but did I really expect her to talk to me?
I went into the kitchen after I shut her door. Well, I could at least start on dinner and then maybe we could share a moment together. Maybe we could just get to know each other better.
Pulling out the vegetable, I let my thoughts wander. I never expected her to jump up and instantly claim me as her mom. I admit I hoped she did, but I didn't expect it. I also didn't expect this harsh dislike she felt towards me. I didn't see what could be the source of this anger.
About thirty minutes later, dinner was ready and I was setting it on the table. "Bitsy," I called down the hallway, "dinner's ready." I waited for some sort of noise, but I never heard anything. I continued to call her name as I approached her room. Knocking, I waited for a "Come in." Instead there was silence.
Maybe she fell asleep, I thought as I opened the door. I froze when I saw the open window and the empty room. I hadn't even had her for an hour and she was already missing.
I tried to calm myself, but I was beyond freaking out. Where could she be? I didn't know any of her friends. I didn't know where Jack lived or if Bitsy even knew where she was going? How could I let this happen?
Such thoughts ran through my head as I tried to figure out what to do. Finally I remembered that Jack gave me his number, just where did I put it? Rummaging through my purse, I finally found it. My hands shook as I dialed his number. /Please be home...Oh God, please be home/
I was about to hang up when he finally answered. "Hello?" he asked, a little breathless.
"Oh my God Jack...She's gone," I cried into the receiver. "I started to explain what I knew, but all that came out was incoherent sentences.
"Slow down Delia and tell me what happened again." I started again, a little calmer. At the time, I didn't analyze the strange calm that came over me, but in the future I would.
Jack's POV
I had never been so scared in my life as when Delia told me that Bitsy was missing. How could this happen? She was rambling on and I could understand anything, so I told her to calm down. Ever so slowly, I got that story out of her.
"Where do you live?" I asked a little forced. There was a tense silence and I knew that she thought I blamed her. I didn't, but I didn't have the time to work that out. "Come on Delia..."
She finally gave me her address and I calmed down. I knew exactly where Bitsy was. Of course she would run the Salene's house, but what was my little hellion up to? I told Delia that I would be straight over and quickly hung up the phone. Grabbing my keys that I dropped in my mad rush to answer the phone, I headed towards Delia's house.
A/N: So...whatcha think. My muses came back and I'm learning to treat them with respect. Sometimes it's just really hard...hehehehehe )