Chapter 7

"Collin!" My eyes flew open and I threw the blanket that was on me onto the floor. Where am I? What happened? Collin ran into the room, looking like he had been working all day.

"I'm sorry, Jess. I should've been here when you woke up." He reached out and touched my forehead. Just the feel of his fingertips made my flesh tingle all over. "You don't remember anything do you?" I looked down. I saw myself on the ground. Then I remembered Collin on the phone.

"Why am I changing?" I asked staring him in the eyes again. There are too many questions. I deserve at least one answer.

"Changing?" Collin looked honestly confused. Then his eyes lit up. In surprise or anger? Maybe I shouldn't have asked. He could be mad I was listening. Then Collin got his composure back. "I don't know what you mean."

Fury washed over me. Why can't anyone tell me one thing? "Oh come on, Collin. I heard you talking to your dad. What's happening to me? And where are my parents? Can't anyone tell me something?"

"Your… Your parents are missing?" He rushed out of the room to the nearest phone.

"Collin!" I sat up and stalked towards him.

"Dad," Collin said into the phone. There was a long pause. " Yeah I know I'm sorry but…" He glanced towards me then said quietly into the phone, " Jess' parents still aren't home." There was an even longer pause and then I heard Collin's father screaming even though I was atleast 5 feet away from him. He started pulling at his hair and pacing, that was all I could take.

"Collin you better tell me the answers I need or I'm leaving!" It was the line I always used. Or I'm leaving. But I guess now, almost 18, It didn't quite work. Collin kept pacing, as if I was invisible. I stormed out of the room and to the front door. But just as I was about to step outside I felt a hand grab my wrist, roughly.

"Jess." Collin's eyes were cold and more protective than ever. "Where do you think you're going?" "Home." I stepped outside making him release my wrist and started running. Of course I wasn't going the usual path to home but a long way. I didn't stop running until I realized this wasn't a different path to get home but a path I didn't know. I looked around. The houses looked ugly and almost abandoned and it seemed as if not even a soul was living in the neighborhood.

Great, now look what you've done. You've made your self vulnerable.

I screamed. "Go AWAY!" I could hardly take it anymore. I crouched on the ground with my arms around my head. What was happening? Fear and anger and worry rippled through me. But what did I feel the most? Anger. All of a sudden I wanted to run. To fight, to punch something and to scream.

You Have to calm down, the voice said soothingly.

"No," I managed out. I sat there for I don't know how many minutes, hours counting the pebbles on the ground over and over.

"Jess if you want to sit down maybe the best spot isn't in the middle of the sidewalk." A voice laughed from behind. I turned my head. Alex.

"I- I wanted to be alone." I stuttered. I stood up slowly and pivoted until I face Alex. His hair was ruffled and he wore black skinnies as usual and a t-shirt that said Death Is Just The Beginning.

"Well Miss Pushy, If you want to be alone just say so," He said turning around then stopped. "Well, I guess you did say so…" He said as if he was talking to himself. Maybe he was. Who knew?

"Wait," I said grabbing his shirt. I didn't want to be alone anymore. I wanted to be protected, with someone, and talked to. His eyes stared at me, but they weren't black. His face got closer to mine. 2 inches. 1inch. Closer.

"You can let go of my shirt," He whispered. It was all I could do not to stare into his eyes. It was like a spell. I looked at my hand and then released, in a dream-like motion. My cheeks grew warm and I knew they were beat red. I took a step back and stared at the ground.

"Well that's one more thing I know about you. You like to act like you're homeless," He joked. I stayed quiet. It was as if my mouth was glued shut. And then a single tear streamed down my cheek and then there was another. I couldn't stop it. I was as if every tear lift a little weight off my shoulder. I turned away from Alex. What am I doing? I look like a 5-year-old. But it was hopeless they just kept coming.

"S-s-sorry," I stammered. When I cried as a little girl, my mom tickled me until I stopped and then she sang. Her voice was like an angels. It was soft and persuasive. It was filled with emotions I could never figure out. It was confusing, calming, and yet so powerful when I heard it I couldn't sleep.

But she's not here, The voice said, annoyed.

"Jess?" I felt a hand on my shoulder. I felt Alex' breath at my ear. How could he be so attractive and mysterious. It was what every girl wanted. Even including me? I couldn't even tell. I turned my head and then felt it bump into Alex' "I'm sorry!" I was making myself look like a real fool today.

"I'm fine. It's fine." Alex muttered. Then he looked at me and said, "Are you fine?"

"I guess." I wiped away the last tear on my face.

"Why don't we take a walk?"

I nodded silently and we went towards my house. He stood so close to me It seemed as if we were together.

"So what happen? Usually when I'm around girls they don't cry… Okay maybe sometimes they do. But that's not the point."

"My parents… and my brother Aiden. Well they were suppose to be home from vacation. But they're not and me and Collin got in a fight it just feels like something's missing." I gushed to him how I felt and what Collin had said to his dad. Is it a good idea telling him everything? Probably not but what did I care?

"It seems like you need a break, Jess." Alex concluded. I laughed.

"I tell you everything and that's all you have to say?" I expected a whole therapy conversation from Alex like Jessie always does to me.

"I'm not a therapist." He stopped and confusion washed over me until I realized we were in front of my house.

"That's okay," I smiled halfheartedly. I walked up my path and turned to wave to Alex. He stared at me with no emotion on his face. It sent chills up my spine and I quickly turned away. I heard his phone ring but I kept walking to the door.

"God, Star. Give me a break. I'm at Jess'." He spoke quieter and I opened my door. "She's changing." I slammed the door shut.

"Changing," I muttered. It seemed like everyone knew something I didn't. I was determined to find out. I walked towards my room even though it was only 8:30. It felt like midnight. I didn't even stop at my parent's bedroom. They weren't there. I fell into my bed and closed my eyes. I begged for a good night sleep but apparently I wasn't good enough to get that.

Note: Wow I'm sorry that was a bad chapter! Hopefully the next one will be better. J nothing was coming to me I guess.