I wake up Saturday morning, on my couch, realizing Jake and I fell asleep there last night. I'm alone though. I hear footsteps, just as I see Jake walk down the stairs. "Good morning." He smiles, kissing my forehead as he goes into the kitchen. I follow behind him, "good morning." Okay, this is sort of awkward. Are we a thing? Or was that a one time occurrence? "Alright, this is weird." I break the silence. Jake shakes his head, confused. "What?" Does he have memory loss? "You kissed me." He looks at me, "If I remember, it was mutual." I stare for a minute, then reply, "So it was just a one time thing? The kiss?" He said he liked me, doesn't that mean something? Jake shrugs, "If you want." No! Or, yes? I don't know. I nod, "Umm, Okay." But I don't like the feeling I have from saying that.
I like him, right? Right. Yeah. Or, no. Maybe. Maybe doesn't count, either you do or you don't. Couples who were best friends before stay together longer. But anyone can break up, and then you avoid the other person, eventually losing all contact, and I couldn't take that. I-I cant, I wont lose my best friend. I just wont like him, not that way. I have more important things to take care of...like Dad.
Dad is supposed to be home today. But he hasn't texted, called, or anything to let me know he's okay. He's okay, right? Yeah, yeah, he's probably just busy. They do have to eat and sleep. Dad does like his pie. But what if...no, Don't think like that. He's fine. He's always fine. Maybe I should try calling. I pull out my phone and press his quickdial, it's ringing, but no answer.
Okay now I'm getting worried. I go to find Jake. I asked him to stay until Sam and dad get back. He's on the porch so I go sit beside him. "They're not answering their phones." I say, biting my lip. I do that when I'm nervous or scared. He puts his arm around me, pulling me close, "hey, they're fine. They know what they're doing. Maybe they're...eating." He smiles. I try to relax. "Yeah, probably. But it's already 6 p.m." I start to panic again. "They could be hurt or-"
"Look if they're not back by tonight, then we'll worry. They've been late before." He assures me one more time that they're fine. But I'm still really worried. He's my dad. I love my uncle, but me and my dad? We have a special connection. Other than Jake, my father is my best friend. And I would die if anything happened to him.
It's Sunday morning, and dad and Sam aren't back yet. I got up early to see if they had gotten in late, but no one but me, and Jake were here. I'm getting ready to go look for them, and Jake walks in.
"What're doing there?" He asks, even though he knows fully well what I'm doing. "I'm going to look for dad."
"And Sam?"
"Yes. Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Are you coming or staying?" I look at him, waiting for his reply. "Coming. Wait here." He runs upstairs to get his stuff, then we go outside.
I wish I had the Impala. But dad won't let even me drive it. I have a baby blue Mustang, it's really nice, but I really want Baby. We put our bags in the back and climb in, me in the drivers seat, Jake in the passenger. "Wanna listen to music?" He asks, grabbing his phone. "Sure. But not-"
Too late. He turns on Metallica.
I quickly switch it off. I hate Metallica.
"Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cake hole." I smile, putting on The 1975. Jake rolls his eyes, but I see him smile.
Last I heard from dad, they were in Lawrence, Kansas, which is where dad and Sam used to live. We have quite a drive, so we take turns driving. I turn on the GPS on dads phone, but I'm not sure it's working. It says he's not moved in a while, which scares me. I'm getting sleepy. I lay my head back, say a quick prayer for Sam and dad, and fall asleep.
When I wake up, were in Kansas. I look at Jake, "You drove the rest of the way? Aren't you tired? Why didn't you wake me up?" I rub my eyes and yawn.
"I figured you needed sleep, you've been worrying so much. Besides, I dont get tired driving." He replies. I lean over to kiss his cheek. Stop, Lexi! You don't like him!
He blushes. "Okay we better go. We don't have a lot of sunshine left." He pushes me towards my door. I step out of my car, checking dads GPS. "Okay, so, this says he's...this way." I start walking, Jake in tow.
When we get to where dad supposedly is, I look up at a big dark warehouse. I sighed.
"Always someplace dark and scary, huh, dad?"