Hey everyone. Sorry this chapter is really short and probably really bad as well, but it's been so hectic around here lately, its hard trying to find time to write. I promise I'll try to get a longer one up soon, I just need to get my life back in order first. R & R. I appreciate all honest reviews, so please tell me if it's bad.
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Chapter 8 - The Friends and Family
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As the sun set on the beach at Newport, a woman stood on the balcony of her mansion, with a mobile phone in her hand, and thought about her daughter.
"Any luck Julie?" came the concerned voice of a well-dressed blonde woman at the door,
"What do you think Kirsten? Her cell is still off, what am I supposed to do?" Kirsten walked towards Julie and comforted her with a motherly hug,
"She'll come back, she may just need to realise how much she needs you first." Somewhat consoled, Julie followed her friend inside and sat down at the table with her husband Jimmy, and Kirsten's husband Sandy.
"So what's the plan of action?" came Sandy's voice, heavy with concern, he knew that Marissa was not a perfect daughter, and could easily get herself into trouble.
"Summer!" exclaimed Julie, evidently not listening to what was going on around her, "Why didn't I think of it before! If anyone knows where Marissa is, it would be her."
In response to the rapid knocking, Summer heaved open the large front door, and was greeted by a cold faced Julie Cooper, "Yeah? Oh, Julie, hi, uh, how are you Mrs. Cooper?"
"Summer, where is my daughter?"
"Oh, Marissa? Uh, she's.. I have no idea Mrs. Cooper, I'm so sorry."
"Oh My God," Julie had to sit down, she had thought that Summer would know for sure where her daughter was, and if Summer didn't know, who would know?
"Have you spoken to her since she left?" Asked Julie,
"Uh, no I haven't been able to get through, all I get is her voicemail... Have you asked anyone else if they know where she is?"
"No, not me personally, we've had the cops search all of Newport but they haven't found anything. No one has any idea where she is or what made her leave."
"Well, have you tried looking up her credit card?"
"Yeah, the cops searched the records and said the last time she used it was last week,"
"So that means that wherever she is it must be within either bus or walking distance of Newport, or she wouldn't have had enough cash on her to get there.."
"Yes! Summer that is totally right! I'll get the police to check where she could have taken a bus to at that hour of the night. Maybe I'll call Luke too, she could be hiding with him."
"Mrs. Cooper, I don't think Marissa is going to be with Luke at the moment."
"Why's that sweetie?"
"Actually I think Luke might be the reason Marissa left in the first place,"
"No, don't be silly honey, Marissa and Luke are a very stable couple!"
"Uhh… I wouldn't be too sure of that Mrs. Cooper. You see…" Summer started before being cut off by Marissa's very impatient mother.
"Don't tell me they broke up Summer. They couldn't have. It's impossible, they have been together for years."
"Yes… that may be so, but Marissa called me the other night. Right before she disappeared. She sounded distraught, and she kept going on about how Luke had broken up with her…" Summer paused for a moment and glanced over at Julie. She seemed to be taking it in okay so far, so Summer decided to tell her the bad news.
"I tried to talk some sense into her but she wouldn't listen. The last thing she said to me was that there was nothing left in Newport for her and she just couldn't be here anymore. I'm so sorry, but I don't think she intends to be coming back anytime soon."
Julie was stunned. How could Summer not have told her this earlier? All this time she was convinced Marissa was still somewhere in Newport or at least within a couple of miles of it, but now it hit her.
Marissa could be anywhere.
She had the money in cash if she used it wisely, and Julie knew when Marissa wanted time alone, she would go to all extents to get it.
Even if it meant leaving her family, her friends and everything else behind.
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