Lost in Love

Chapter 15 - Lost Contact

It's now the third day without word from Bella, I can't stop worrying. I've called her and texted her more times than I can count.
I haven't wanted to do anything. I've stayed, laying on the couch so I'm closer to the door. The only times I get up, are to make food and go to the bathroom.
I keep hoping she'll just walk in the door, and come into the living room and just be here.
It doesn't bother me to not constantly talk to her, it bothers me that I don't know what's going on... or where she is.
"Luna?" Ryan comes in, removing his snowy shoes.
I inhale deeply, not looking up. I know that if I meet his eyes, I will probably breakdown.
"Hey, how are you doing?"
I shrug.
"I figured as much. I thought I'd come see you, since you haven't texted me since yesterday morning."
I sit up long enough for him to take a seat on the couch. I then proceed to lay my head in his lap.
"So, there's still nothing?"
"No."
"I'm sorry," he's practically whispering.
I can feel my eyes burning, as I try to hold back tears.
"Mom wanted me to ask if you're still coming for Christmas?"
I forgot tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Maybe being with Ry and his family will be just what I need.
"Of course," I stop and sit up. "Actually, would you mind if I come tonight?"
"I wouldn't mind at all."
"Cool, thanks. Hold on."
I pack up my stuff, as well as my presents for the Jeffery's. I think about bringing Bella's gift too, but decide against it, leaving it on my bed.
When we get outside, I see his mom's car, "shit, you should have told me she was waiting."
"She's not," he smiles and pulls the keys out of his pocket.
I raise a brow, "how did you manage that?"
"I told mom that I was going to see you, and she let me take the car because of how cold it is."
"Huh," it suddenly hits me, "does she know?"
"No, she just knows you decided to spend some time alone."
I nod, getting my seatbelt on.
When we are in the driveway of his house, I take a few deep breaths before getting out. I take my bag and we head in.
You would've thought you'd walked into Santa's workshop, coming into the Jeffery house. Mrs. Jeffery always goes all out. The decorations are crazy. No matter where you go in the house, you can smell all the baking she's been doing.
While sitting with the family, my attention keeps going to my phone. I haven't seen or heard from Bella since we parted ways after first period on Tuesday, it was our last day before holidays. She wasn't at lunch, which I'd brushed off, assuming she had something to do. But when she didn't show up for fifth, I started to worry. I waited a while after school, in hopes she'd been doing something over the hour.
Ryan had to work, so I didn't have anyone trying to convince me to just go home. I'd texted a few times and left a voicemail before heading home.
'Maybe she'll already be there,' I thought to myself while walking.
To my dismay, she wasn't. I stayed up all night, and didn't leave the house the next day.
'Was this all just some joke? Is this her way of telling me she's done?"
Ryan was the only person I talked to. When I told him what was going on, he told me he was going to come over, and I said not to. I honestly wanted to just be alone.
"Hey, will you help me wrap my gifts for my parents?" Ryan nudges me, pulling me back into reality.
"Uh, yeah," I grab my phone, and we head down the hall. "You really like leaving this stuff for the last minute, huh?"
A corner of his mouth lifted, "you know I can't wrap for shit."
"You're not wrong."
We both sit on the floor. He passes me tape while I wrap. He then puts the presents by his door to put under the tree later.
"Do you want to go watch a Christmas movie downstairs?"
I've stopped looking at my phone, and have a bit of a smile coming back.
"Sure, as is tradition."
We go to the kitchen and get some snacks, then proceed downstairs.
"How weird is it to be awake, starting a movie on a week night at nine here?"
I start laughing, "Ry, it's Friday."
The look that comes to his face proves he didn't remember it was a weekend anyways.
"Holidays really throw me off."
"You're lucky you're pretty," I try hard not to continue laughing.
He pushes me over on the couch, which in turn makes us both laugh.
"Alright," I sit up and grab the blanket from the back of the couch, "let's get this started."
After a while I can feel myself getting tired, which is honestly a welcomed feeling. Ry has his arm out along the back of the couch, with his legs out onto the sectional.
I move to him, and lay my head on his chest. My legs are tucked up, so he moves his hand to my thigh. We have sat like this many times before, but not recently. It has always raised questions when his other relatives are around, since they all think we're dating—no matter how many times we tell them we aren't.
I eventually fall asleep.
When I wake up, I find that Ryan hasn't moved. We're still laying how we were last night.
"Morning, princess," he is already awake, grinning away.
"Shut up," I begin to laugh through my words, covering my face. "I am not awake enough for your little jokes."
"Okay. Good morning, luv."
My eyes instinctually roll, "good morning." I sit up and stretch, "are any of your other family members coming today?"
"My aunt and uncle, but that's it."
"Okay," they aren't too bad.
I get worried when his dad's cousins come, because they really hate me—mainly because I'm gay.
"Mom said you can crash in my room tonight."
"Cool," I pause for a moment, "we gonna catch Santa tonight?"
"As long as mom leaves the cookies out, yes."
We both laugh.
Every year, Mr. Jeffery comes out to the kitchen and steals come cookies,so we've always joked that he is clearly Santa. This started after Ryan learnt the truth about Santa, I didn't have a chance to believe in any sort of Christmas magic.
Once we get upstairs, we are greeted by a snarky breakfast and ugly Christmas sweaters. Mrs. Jeffery holds one up for Ryan, and I know he doesn't want to wear it. But, he does. She finally stopped trying to get me to wear them 3 year ago. We now have a deal that I just have to wear something Christmasy.
This year, I am rocking the snowman covered pajama pants.
While we all sit down to eat, Mr. Jeffery comes to the conclusion (which is the same every year) that stockings must be opened today, being that it is Christmas Eve.
Mrs. Jeffery sits down beside me and smiles, while the boys grab their stockings.
"I swear, they are both children," she whispers to me, making me giggle.
"Very true."
"Chrissy, you have to open yours too," Mr. Jeffery is beyond hyper, perhaps too much coffee.
After watching them act chaotic for a while, I excuse myself and go downstairs, the main room.
I scroll through my contacts, until I find hers. I hover over it for a moment.
"Hi, you've reached Bella's phone, I am not around right now, but feel free to leave a message."
The beep hits and I stop for a moment.
"Hey, Bella- umm- it's me again. I honestly, don't know why I'm doing this, if you wanted to talk, you would have answered the last how ever many times. Anyways, Merry Christmas."
I hang up and want to throw my phone across the room. Instead, I throw it on the couch, where I see Ryan standing.
I don't bother to say anything. I know he heard it.
I sit on the couch with my legs to my chest, and my head on my knees. Ryan sits beside me and puts his arm around me, saying nothing.
"Do you want me to take you home?" He breaks the silence after a while.
"No, but I'm probably going to leave right after dinner tomorrow."
"Okay. Just tell me when, and we'll go."
"Thank you," I sigh, and let my body relax beside him.