Disclaimer: I own nothing.

NEVER FOUND

A year later

The phone rang, so I picked it up. It turned out to be Phoebe. I haven't really talked to her since last year. I remember how we used to call each other all the time when I first came to LA. As time passed the calls became less frequent, but we still talked to each other. Finally, we settled on calling each other at least once a month, which we did religiously, until last year. Lately she has been calling me all the time, I really can't talk to her the way I used to. I realize that everyone has been worried about me since Matthew died. I really have no idea why.

"Hey Phoebe. How's it going?" "It's okay I guess. Life of a senior in high school is very stressful. I mean can it get any harder? How are you doing with your applications ?" "Actually I already sent them out early this year. I already had enough credits to apply." "Is that so? Why don't you visit us here if you can ditch the rest of the year then?" she was becoming enthusiastic with the idea.

I felt someone grab my arm as I was walking down the hall. It was Matthew. He was grinning from ear to ear. "I missed you during break. Where were you?" I asked him. "I was with the guidance counselor, apparently I am way ahead of the set course for a sophomore, this year." "Thus, the grinning?" "Of course. So she suggested I can either lessen my load, or just skip senior year altogether. I can graduate next year or I can just march with our batch." "So what's your decision?" "I don't know yet. It all depends on you actually." I just looked at him with my eyebrows furrowed "Wait a minute, if you are way ahead, then so am I, after all we are together in most of our classes." "Exactly, I told her the same thing and she said that she would talk to you about it. But because we do have the same situation, maybe we can decide together." and he put his arms around my shoulders. "I don't know. But if we skip senior year then we're going to miss the fun part." I shook my head at his suggestion. "Well, maybe we can skip the studying and just drop in once in a while when there are special occasions." he was making his puppy dog face. I sighed and told him that I'd consider it.

I remember that we both planned on traveling to Europe. He even suggested that we go to Hillwood and visit my childhood friends. So despite his absence last year I still went through with our plan and now I really don't have to go to school at all. In fact I already got some responses from the universities that I applied to. I still can't believe that Phoebe was actually suggesting that I quit going to school. She must have talked to my parents, who still looked at me as if I was on the verge of doing something drastic. Then I heard Phoebe asking if I was still on the line. I merely told her that I would have to think about it and then said goodbye. I stretched out on my bed and thought of what I should do. Without Matthew, going through with his plans just didn't feel right at all. I heard my parents downstairs, so I got up and went down to the kitchen.
I stopped by the door and saw them talking quietly, about me no doubt. Funny how much they've changed over the years. They seemed happier since we moved out here. Mom no longer drank her smoothies and Dad had stopped obsessing about work. All it took was my almost drowning when I was ten. I remember when we went to Malibu and spent the day at the beach. Both of them were so involved with their activities that they left me to my own devices. I ventured farther than I intended. Then I felt so tired, I was sinking. That was when I heard voices. It was Bob and Miriam and a lifeguard. It must have been an eye opening experience for them. It was because of my near death that they finally took notice of their younger daughter. They were better parents because of it. So as I stood by the door I can't help but think how worried they were about me. When they thought I wasn't looking they had concerned looks on their faces. They tried to monitor all my activities this past year. I guess the fact that I retained my usual schedule caused them more anxiety than relief. I have a feeling they called Phoebe and told her of my current situation.

"So Phoebe just called". I stated as I entered the kitchen. They both looked up guiltily. I felt myself smile. "It seems, she wants me to go to Hillwood and spend some time there." Dad came toward me and said "So are you going? I mean if you want you can go, after all you are done with school, little lady." "Yes, Helga if you want to, why not? I mean college won't be an easy feat so you could take this time to relax." my mom added. I looked from my dad to my mom. They sure have changed. Sending me to Hillwood wasn't a way of getting rid of me, I think that they desperately wanted me to get better, that sending me to Hillwood was their last attempt since they tried so hard to help me go on with life. I felt awful that they felt unable to get me there themselves. "I don't know. Well, I guess I could go. But where will I stay? How long will I stay?" I asked them. The two of them looked at each other. After a moment of silence my dad answered, "I suppose you could stay with Phoebe. Or if you want the old house is still in good shape. You insisted that we don't sell it before we left. I could give the people living there a month's notice if you want to stay there." I stayed silent for a while. Do I really want to be alone in that house? Sometimes there are so much thoughts going thru my head whenever I'm alone. That's the reason why I tried so hard to keep busy. Maybe staying with Phoebe is the better plan. I looked at my parents, both looking at me hopefully. I knew they wanted me to choose the former. "I guess I'll stay with Phoebe." They both looked relieved and were already planning my trip to Hillwood.

After dinner, when I was alone in my room I picked up the phone and dialed Phoebe's number. When she picked up she sounded out of breath. "I guess I'm going to Hillwood, Pheebes." On the other end of the line I heard her whoop in excitement. Once she calmed down, she was already planning to throw me a big homecoming party, her words not mine. I let her chatter on. Before saying goodbye I had one simple request. "Hey, Phoebe. Can you do one thing for me? Don't tell anyone about Matthew." I waited for her to ask me why. A few seconds passed when she murmured softly, "I promise I won't Helga." I thanked her and hang up. It was a sleepless night.

Note: Thanks to those who read this story. I took the liberty of placing Hillwood in New York, just for future references. In the next chapter you'll seesome of the old gang. And of course Arnold. Hope you had fun reading this story.