Gone Girl 3

Chapter 16

I'm turning nineteen years old today and I don't care about it. Not as much as I wished I would.

I haven't heard from Derek since our last fight. Irène told me she wasn't with him but I don't believe her—neither does Shanice—which made their fight worse.

I put on heels and a short dark blue dress.

Everything is going to shit. I haven't tried contacting him again because he made it clear he is tired of my games, if I don't give him an answer, he doesn't want to hear anything else.

But it still hurts. I miss him, and I try to keep myself busy. My exams are in two months and I am trying to study but I have so much on my plate. I know I have to report my rapist next week. I promised I would.

I grab the purse and I fix my hair in the mirror. I've been in this hotel for almost a week now, I'm going to have to work over shifts to pay Nicole back.

I didn't know where to go. I gave the key back to Derek and he hasn't contacted me.

Dominic told me he is fine... so I guess he moved on, or at least—rightfully—trying to.

Before I leave, I say 'I love you' to myself in the mirror. I force a smile and I try to be positive I'll enjoy tonight.

It's my birthday after all.

Dominic is waiting for me in the lobby.

He makes me do a pirouette. "Wow, you look great. It's been a while."

I nudge his shoulder. "Rude."

"You are always cute but tight dresses fit you better."

"Dude, you are a creep," I say but I don't mean it. It's just the way we joke.

"I will stop before Derek beats me up," he teases me as we leave the lobby and go to his car.

I sigh. Not that Derek would care much.

"Happy birthday, by the way," he says and I thank him.

"Is he coming too?" My voice betrays me. Of course I want Derek to come to my birthday party.

I touch the necklace he gave me on my 17th birthday. I still wear it everyday.

"No," he replies a bit too fast for my liking. As if it's a given he wouldn't come.

"Why?"

He shifts awkwardly as we both bulk our seatbelts.

"He is... busy."

"With what?"

"Don't act jelly." He tries to lighten up the mood but it's not even about that. Both Derek and Irène were unreachable for a few days and they are super secretive lately.

I don't want to think anything bad... I know they wouldn't do this to me but if it's not this... it's something worse. Something dangerous.

Irène is only implicated when something goes down.

I hate to admit I won't enjoy my party. I feel like I have more to talk about with Derek and I don't want to act like it doesn't matter.

We reach Shanice's house and she greets me with a hug and wishes me 'happy birthday'. Dominic just brings in two bags of alcohol and god knows what else.

I can't even drink alcohol since my doctor told me it's not safe. It's going to be so boring.

The party is just starting, people are still coming. I scan the room when I finally see Nicole and I begin walking toward her.