A/N: I meant to have this up earlier; summer just seems too busy. Well, enjoy and don't forget to add to your favorite/alert list and comment!

Chapter 5

The human mind handles things in a funny way. For instance, my mind decided not to process the "dream" about Liam/Landon. After all, it was just a crazy dream while I was passed out from lack of sleep/stress, as my doctor so clearly explained. Apparently Liam (because Landon wasn't real, he was just a dream) dropped me off but had to go visit a sick relative right after. My brain also managed to "forget" that he never called me. Or that no one had seen his family or him in over a week since I got out of the hospital. And I was okay with that; it wasn't something I had to deal with right now.

But my mind couldn't forget about what Jake said about Trish.

(Flashback)

"What do you mean Trish is missing?" I expected my voice to be filled with anger or denial, but the only emotion I could sense through the numbness was shock.

Jake knelt next to my bed while I held back tears. Jake cursed and I couldn't find it in my heart to scold him. After a few seconds, he spoke again. "I'm so sorry, Jessica. I know I shouldn't have told you. I just didn't want it to come from someone other than me." Then he paused. "I mean, not like I'm the only one to tell you it's just that…"

I cut him off. "I get it, Jake. And don't worry; I understand why you want to tell me."

Then he told me about how Trish's car was found ten miles from the school. The pretty blue pick up truck abandoned with the keys still inside. The entire town was looking for her and the entire police station (including Jake's dad, who was chief) had put up flyers with her picture on it for towns over.

They were convinced that she had run off with someone because they'd found evidence of another person in the car including a boy's sock. I knew she didn't have a boyfriend, so that didn't make any sense. Nothing about her disappearance made sense.

But Jake did a good job of making me feel better; after all, I'd just been in the hospital for stress related issue; no one wanted me too upset right now. And Jake made me feel better, as much as my dad hated him. A week ago I'd been released from the hospital, and I was going to school (tomorrow was Monday). Jake had come over every day since then. He talked with me and made the pain and shock of Trish leaving better.

"Jess, are you there?" I looked up from my couch to see Jake standing there. He was just in a black t-shirt and ripped jeans, but somehow it was different. Maybe it was the way his blonde hair was nearly dancing in the light, or the way his emotionless dark brown eyes seemed to be looking at me in a way no one ever looked at me.

I know that's the absolute cheesiest thing ever to be said by a teenage girl, but at that moment, nothing seemed truer.

"I'm just thinking." Jake sat down next to me, close, but not quite touching.

It was silent for a moment before Jake spoke. "So did you hear Tammy like finally accepted Johnny's invite to prom?" I smirked at Jake's spot on teenage girl impression. Seeing me grin, he continued. "It's like so crazy because like I was off to see the new Twilight movie with that so totally hot Jacob character and Jacob Parker from our school was like there and he was like SO HOT!"

"God Jake, you really do think a lot of yourself." He grinned.

"It's hard being hot, with those oh so dreamy eyes." I rolled my eyes and wacked him with a pillow. Not expecting that, he fell of the couch (with a nice shove from me).

"Are you sure you're an athlete? You can't even sit correctly."

With a mocked hurt expression, he said, "Well, that would have to do with a certain push from a certain fifteen-year-old."

"What! You're blaming me!" I cried in an overly dramatic voice.

Jake snorted and then said. "I like this better than before. Hanging out with you is way better than with those stupid cheerleaders that seem to follow me."

"It's because you have such dreamy eyes." I said, not forgetting the compliment. Jake grinned back.

It was silent for a moment before he said, "I'm sorry I've been such a jerk to you these past few months. I was just…"

I cut him off. "It's okay. It's not like I really did anything to stop them. Besides, it was nice to have attention from the most popular boy in our school."

I saw frustration mask Jake's features. Then, very quietly, he said, "Is that was you see me as; the most popular boy in school?" I could hear the subtle hurt in his voice.

I smiled at him. "Not anymore." At that moment, I was sure I was about to kiss him. I saw his hand come forward, and he pushed a piece of hair out of my face.

Then it was like nothing I'd ever felt for. There was a shock, a blue light, and a flash of something silver.

"You'd better go, Jake. My daughter has homework to work on." I nearly jumped back at the sound of my father's voice. Jake moved away. With one last glance at me, he turned back to my dad.

"Yes sir," then directed at me, "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning since you don't have a car, okay?"

Before my dad could but in I answered, "Sure; I'll see you tomorrow."

Jake nodded at both of us and walked out, the door shutting behind him. My dad spoke, "Jess…"

I cut him off. "You know what, I don't care. I like him Dad, sorry to tell you. And I don't know if you hate him because I like him, but I am going to have boyfriends. He's been nothing but nice to you so go find someone else to pick on."

My father wasn't the type of man to yell. Instead he spoke very softly, "I'll just leave you alone."

Regret coursed through me, "Dad…"

He looked at me, sadness in his eyes. I could see how tired he looked, more tired than when mom died. "I'm sorry, Jessica."

I walked up and hugged him. His frail arms hugged me back. "I'm sorry Dad, but I really like him."

My dad smiled, and even though it didn't quite reach his eyes, I knew I'd made progress. "I know."