(Anonymous point of view)
I lit the last cigarette before hopping out of the truck.
The air was cold, even without snow.
I hesitated.
I know I could be a lot, but family stays together. It's what I had to believe after losing her.
My baby girl.
That killed my ex-wife. Hell, it kills me. Sometimes I wish I was taken instead.
Grieving the loss of a child is the worst pain on earth and I wasn't about to lose the second one.
The lights were off, but his mail was stacked as if he wasn't living there anymore.
I went through it, most of it was junk mail.
I called his phone, but it went to voicemail once again.
This wasn't like him. Something happened.
Call me crazy, but I was not going to stop until I find out where my son is.
…
(Puck's point of view)
I heard the hum of the tv and the sound of birds singing outside.
Quinn was tucked comfortably in my arms.
I don't remember how that happened, but I was not complaining.
Her arm hung over my shoulder and rested on the pillow and her legs curled around mine.
She was warm and beautiful.
Her breathing was even, tickling my neck as she breathed in and out.
I propped my head on my hand, staring at her.
Her blond eyebrows were perfectly arched, and her nose fit well between her eyes.
Her hair fell in waves over her face, flowing to every direction.
Her lips were plush and pink. She was breathtaking.
She stirred, and my eyes fell from her mouth to meet her eyes.
"Good morning." She said disoriented.
"Good morning sleepyhead." I said smirking at how close we were.
"What time is it?" She wondered.
"9:17" Rachel and I said at the same time.
Her eyes shot open.
"Shoot, I have an exam today at 3:20."
Her eyes closed and her hand found her forehead.
I touched her chin.
"You'll do well." I said confidently.
She smiled and pulled herself off of me, remembering how closely tangled we were.
Her cheeks flushed red.
"I'm going to freshen up. Rachel do you need anything?" She asked.
Rachel shook her head.
With that, Quinn left.
It seemed like forever before Rachel finally spoke.
"I know what you're doing." She said her back to me.
"Huh?"
"You're trying to watch me so that I don't run." She turned, studying my face.
"Watch is a bit much." I said meeting her eyes.
"Besides, we just wanted to be sure that you're ok. You fainted and injured yourself."
She squinted her eyes.
"I can take care of myself." She said getting slightly annoyed.
"I didn't disagree. It's just, Quinn and I tried following you when you ran off. You didn't look too good."
"I don't even know you. Why do you care?" She became impatient and confused.
I fell quiet.
Her body stiffened.
I picked up Quinn's acoustic guitar, propped myself up on her chair and began playing my favorite song by Spencer Sutherland.
The words came without me trying.
I wonder if you hold your breath
Or am I just being selfish as hell.
She marveled at my voice.
I wonder why my tongue gets tied
Too many headaches behind my eyes.
She smiled, encouraging me with her eyes.
Yeah there's champagne on the ceiling
Tell me how'd we get here
Is this just a feeling
Or is it just the new year
A pink tropicana sunrise
Still can't see it clear, but sometimes I
Her eyes held mine intensely.
Oh, I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If I'm ever gonna stop wondering about you
And I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If you ever stop and just wonder about me too.
My fingers struck the chords effortlessly.
I wonder if I'm still myself
'Cause lately I'm acting like someone else
I'm trying hard to talk to you
cause our conversations just don't feel new.
A single tear slid down her eye.
Yeah, there's champagne on the ceiling
Tell me how'd we get here
Is this just a feeling, Or is it just the new year.
She hugged her knees.
A pink tropicana sunrise
Still can't see it clear, but sometimes I.
And Rachel joined me in the chorus.
Oh, I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If I'm ever gonna stop wondering about you
And I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If you ever stop and just wonder about me too.
I stood up in front of her.
I'll stare at the ceiling, I'll wait right here
Cause I don't get the feeling, you'll stay another year
A pink tropicana sunrise, still can't see it clear, but I.
I fell quiet. She picked up the chorus for me.
Oh, I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If I'm ever gonna stop wondering about you
And I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder If you ever stop and just wonder about me too.
I joined her.
Oh, I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If I'm ever gonna stop wondering about you
And I wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder, wonder
If you ever stop and just wonder about me too.
Rachel hugged me.
Quinn opened the door, equally shocked that we both sing.
Rachel sat back down on the air mattress, Quinn on her bed and me on the chair.
"My sister was kidnapped four years ago."
Quinn's hands covered her mouth and Rachel just sat and looked at me.
I cleared my throat.
"I never found her. In fact, my parents divorced, and when my mom passed away, I swore I'd find her or I'd die trying."
I admit. My eyes fell to the floor.
That was the first time that I said it out loud to anyone else.
"I remind you of her." Rachel said softly.
I nodded.
Quinn got up and rested her hands on my knee as I wept.
Rachel took the guitar, crouched next to the chair and hugged me.
At some point, all three of us were crying for the other.
"Thank you for sharing." Quinn said.
"Yes, thank you. And I'm sorry for accusing you earlier." Rachel echoed.
I nodded, standing to my feet with Quinn and wiping my eyes.
Rachel noticed and ran to the bathroom for some tissues.
Quinn's arms snaked around my shoulders pulling me in for a hug.
My arms found her waist, and my head leaned into her neck, that smelled of fresh lavender.
My head was pounding.
Deep down, I knew that I was never going to see my sister again. I just wasn't ready to except that. Not yet.
My muscles got really tense, but Quinn didn't seem to care. She held onto me anyway.
Rachel returned with tissues and sat down quietly.
Quinn let go of me and I reached for the tissues to blow my nose.
"How did you find me?" Rachel asked.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to lie or stall, but I had to say something.
"You were blindfolded and unconscious. I picked you up and kept driving until the highway ended."
I settled for the half-truth.
If she found out that I was working for the man who paid me to distribute other girls in exchange for my sister, she'd run and I'm not sure she'd make it past a few days with no money and food.
She'd think of me as a monster.
I couldn't lose her just yet.
She needed to know as little as possible.
"Wait, so you found her?" Quinn asked, shocked.
Rachel zoned out.
I nodded, hating that I had to lie to protect them.
"So, what now?" Quinn asked.
"I don't know." I said, honestly.
I looked down at my hands.
"Let's just see what happens. I'm sure that Rachel and I would be fine here until we can decide something." Quinn shrugged.
Rachel became stiff.
"I'm staying here in New Jersey?" I heard her ask.
"You don't have to." I added.
I sighed.
I couldn't give too much information.
"People might be looking for you." I said.
She held her head down.
"You will not be forced to stay here, but it is safer. I can get you food, clothes, we can get to know each other and find out how many shampoos and perfumes exist. You don't have to do this alone." Quinn reassured.
Rachel paused before nodding.
"I'm going to find work and rebuild here. It is safer for both of us to have a fresh start. If you stay in Jersey and decide that you want to go somewhere else, I will personally take you." I promised.
That's when I saw a smile tug at Rachel's lips.
I stood.
"I'm going to head out, get a shower and see what's out here."
Quinn stood to walk me out and Rachel waved before turning her attention to the tv.
We walked in silence to the front door.
"Puck you don't have to do this."
I smiled.
"I want to. I wish someone did this for my sister." My breathing became shaky.
She nodded without meeting my eyes.
"I'll stop in everyday to check in. Lookout for my truck."
I didn't wait for her response before heading out.
…
(Santana's point of view)
Class dragged on for what felt like forever.
Kurt and Mercedes were scrolling on their phones. Mike was dozing off and Tina was doodling hearts on a page with their names on it.
I snickered.
I wonder if she told him.
The only thing that caught my eye was that Queen B was nowhere to be found.
She never missed class. Was never late or absent.
She never missed assignments or slept past 8AM.
She taught me how to be a college student. How to cram and study smart so that your brain wouldn't hurt.
Hell, I accredited all of my A's to her, especially my research papers.
"San, you have to let the research speak and add your argument after."
She would say.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one who noticed how great she was.
Rutgers offered her a job to tutor in the Writing center.
She eventually was hired to tutor freshman in pre-calculus and college algebra too.
"Why don't you minor in math in case life lands you on your ass" I would joke.
She would laugh and admit to having considered it.
I smirked.
I missed her.
She was my best friend.
We were there for each other in our darkest times.
Something told me that there was more to Q than just being tired or on her period.
I checked my messages.
No Q.
I sighed.
"So I'm thinking we could get something to eat. I want to try that place in Woodbridge by the mall." Britt said eagerly cutting through my train of thought.
I agreed, preoccupied with Q.
"Yeah. Let's see if Q is around. Maybe she'll come with." I said casually.
I tracked her location, and sure enough she was in her dorm.
I barely waited for the professor to dismiss class before I was out the door, Brittney right behind me.
…..
I got in her building because I roomed with her RA last year when we were at the Livingston apartments.
I texted her and luckily she was there.
"Santana!" She shouted, hugging me.
"Hi love! How are you?" I hugged her back.
"I'm great. I miss our facial sessions." She pouted.
"I do too. You know how it is. Classes are tough this year. I considered selling my degree once I walk." I said.
She laughed hysterically, with me and Britt joining her.
"Tell Q that I'm going home for the weekend."
I smirked, sent air kisses and went to find Q.
'Going home' meant going out and getting messed up.
I was amazed that she was an RA.
"Oh and let me know how she snagged that upperclassman hottie from Toledo." She said going back to her room.
What man? That must have been a mistake or maybe a tutor, I reasoned.
"Q has a boyfriend? Before us?" Britt asked.
I smirked again.
I wasn't looking for a man.
But no one needed to know about that yet.
I knocked twice before a brunette answered the door.
And then it clicked.
This was the girl we searched for.
"You're not Quinn." I trailed off.
"Rachel." She said quietly.
"I saw you in her pictures." She admit sheepishly.
I smiled.
Britt and I went in.
"Where is Quinn?" I said confused.
"I think she went to meet up with Puck."
She read the confusion on my face.
"The boyfriend." I said, playing along.
Rachel nodded.
I looked around and noticed the air mattress and the mess of clothes that took over her room.
That wasn't her style at all.
"She left her phone here." Brittney said.
No wonder her location said that she would be here.
"Rachel, Q probably hasn't told you, but we're her best friends. We were coming here to relieve her of her life stress. Are you hungry?" I said.
She began to decline when her stomach growled.
I raised a brow to which she finally said 'sure' and grabbed clothes to change into in the bathroom.