Fade Into You

Chapter 26

Jonathan's POV

Two weeks. Then four. Graduation came and went, and I was barely holding it together. 

Faye didn't show up at school, didn't answer my calls, my texts—nothing. I left her a hundred voicemails, maybe more, until one day her number just stopped working.

A few months ago, I thought senior year would be the best time of my life before heading off to college. But instead, everything spiraled. Things with Faye fell apart, and my life just... stopped making sense.

I even looked for her during graduation, hoping she'd show up to support Jake with the rest of their family. But only their parents were there. No Faye. And disappointed doesn't even begin to cover how I felt.

If she's completely vanished like this, there's only one explanation: she's somewhere else. 

Maybe another country. Maybe hiding in plain sight. I drove myself insane narrowing down the possibilities, scrolling through maps, tracking mutual friends, even old posts.

Could she be sick? Hospitalized? I considered that. But knowing Faye... she rarely gets sick.

But sick of me? Yeah. Definitely.

She started avoiding me way before she disappeared. Ignored my calls. Dodged me in the halls. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense—I might be the reason she's gone.

If that's the case, there's only one person who can give me answers. One person who knows where she is. And even if I have to drag it out of him, I'll do it.

I'm getting my girl back.

OoO

The parking lot was packed with cars, heatwaves rising from the asphalt. I stepped out, hood up, hands buried deep in my sweatshirt pockets. My eyes scanned the crowd—and there they were.

Jake, his girlfriend Madison, and his cousins Toby and Mike were all standing by Jake's car, laughing and talking. 

The moment Madison spotted me walking toward them, she elbowed Jake hard. He looked up, and his eyes met mine.

"Jake," I said, my voice low and steady.

He straightened up, stepping away from the car, while Toby and Mike instinctively moved to either side of him, shielding Madison behind them.

"What do you want?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"I just need to know where Faye is. That's it. I swear, I just want to talk to her."

Jake laughed bitterly. Toby and Mike joined in with scoffs of their own.

"Fuck off, Ryder. Stay the hell away from my sister. I mean it."

My fists clenched in my pockets.

This was gonna be harder than I thought.

"Come on, man. I just need a few minutes. Please."

"A few minutes? You had months. You made her cry for a week straight last time you 'talked.' You think she needs that again? Fuck no."

That's when I snapped.

"I need her back, okay? So just tell me where she is!"

Before I realized it, Toby and Mike were grabbing my shoulders, shoving me back.

"Hey! Cut it out, all of you." Madison stepped in, pushing Jake away from me and forcing Toby and Mike to back off. "I said stop!"

They still glared at me, but they stepped aside. Jake muttered something under his breath, and Madison turned to him with a warning look.