(2) Overnight Sensation: An All Time Low Fanfiction Romance

Chapter 76: Alley (Alex's POV)

        I might have told someone that Stella disappearing from the fire didn't worry me, and that she could handle herself because we weren't attached at the hip. I could have laughed and blew Zack off when he wandered over to me, asking the same question that was running through my head the entire time -- where was she?        

        But that would probably just make me look like an asshole, and the biggest liar alive.

        I had enough alcohol running through my system, that I was feeling it in my head slightly. But it wasn't enough to forget that Stella hadn't been around in a long time. Even with her short texts, telling me that she was fine and just walking around, I didn't believe her. I had a feeling something was wrong, and I inteded on finding her.

        I hadn't really paid attention to where Rian and Kara went. They sort of did their own thing when they were together. It really didn't bother me, they were a couple. I just couldn't shake the feeling that Stella and I should be more like them. But sometimes, it really feels like I'm falling in love alone.

        Falling in love? What the fuck is wrong with me?

        Zack, Jack and I went searching for her. The only thing that reassured me that she hadn't gone into the ocean were the few texts I'd received telling me that she wasn't on the beach. She was being vague, and I still couldn't put my finger on why. There was no reason for her to be off on her own, in the middle of a city she didn't know. I understood she could find her way around easily, she moved around a lot. But this was fucking stupid.

        Jack had gone to search the bus and Zack jogged down most of the shore just in case. I searched between the busses that were parked, and quietly tried to stop myself from panicking. I wasn't sure why my heart was pounding in my throat. My palms were sweaty and my head was killing me. The only time I really felt like this was when I couldn't find Daniel the night he killed himself. And that didn't have a happy ending.

        I was getting angry with my frustration, still trying to call her phone anyway. She wouldn't pick up, and the texts seemed off. She normally had perfect punctuation when she sent something. And she always added smiley faces. But these texts had the 'u' 'r' 'y' letters used for whole words.

        The moon gave a dramatic look to the sky tonight, and lit up most of the strip of road that was in front of the beach. The street lights helped as well, and the night life was more than you would have thought for a week day. People were walking up and down the sidewalks in high heels and short dresses. Guys were wearing sunglasses, creeping on gorgeous girls as they walked past.

        But I couldn't really think about it anymore and instead moved down the sidewalk eagerly. I glanced into the stores and clubs as I passed, hoping that for whatever reason, she didn't show some leg to get the security to let her inside.

        It wasn't like Stella to do anything like that, and I normally knew her better than anyone else, as fucking scary as that is. But something was wrong with her, something wasn't right. I couldn't figure it out i my head, but she was in trouble. It was one of those gut feelings that I couldn't help. Thinking of Stella not sleepning in that cramped bunk with me drove me nuts.

        I can't believe how much she is driving me crazy when she isn't even here.

        I pulled my phone out of my pocket, calling Jack quickly. I pressed my phone to my ear, feet carrying me swiftly down the road. I weaved between people, and didn't even glance at the girls who smiled flirtatiously in my direction. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't find Stella. It scared me shitless to think of something happening to her.