meet me at midnight.

6.

A:N: Aubrey's faceclaim is Zooey Deshanel 

Three weeks ticked by. After the first week, I'd gone to mom's to see if she was ok, but when I got there, she wasn't home. I'd peeked through the lounge window and couldn't see anyone inside. Mr Arnold had informed me that they'd gone on vacation. I spent the following two weeks in a state of fear.

I went back to work at the end of the third week. Desiree greeted me with a hug when I entered the staff room. Marie had given me a spare uniform. The blouse was a little big, but it was better than nothing. I yelped when Desiree threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around.

"I was worried sick about you." She said.

"Sorry." I replied.

She pulled back to fix me with a sympathetic look. I'd messaged her just after Marie signed me off work. I didn't want her to worry.

"Girl, I know you messaged me, but I missed you. You're my friend." she said, holding my arms.

Her eyes shone with unshed tears and I felt so bad for making her worry about me. I apologized again, but she waved me off with a cheerful smile. It seemed like she'd forgiven me. I wanted to tell her what had happened because when I'd texted her, I'd omitted so many details.

"So, what actually happened?" She asked.

"Lionel kicked me out. He hurt my mom and wouldn't phone an ambulance until I left." I said, looking at her.

"Ugh, that scumbag. I always got the ick from him when he'd pick you up from work. Is your mom ok now?" She asked.

"I don't know. I went round two weeks ago and I call her everyday, but she doesn't answer. Apparently they've gone on vacation, but it just seems iffy." I said.

"Phone the cops, it sounds like he's abducted her." Desiree said.

She looked so serious when she said it. I knew I'd eventually have to file a report with the police. It wasn't like mom to just disappear. I'd phone them at the end of my shift and hope that they found mom. We walked out of the staff room and into the main foyer.

The shift went as it usually did. I served a lot of customers and tried to pretend I wasn't worried for mom. On my break, I phoned the police and filed a report, reporting my own mother missing. After the shift ended, Desiree and I stayed with Marie as she counted the money in the register.

"I didn't get a chance to say it earlier, but welcome back Daisy," Marie said, smiling at me. "We all missed you immensely."

"Thanks." I said.

"Is this you becomin' a big, old softie, Marie?" Desiree cackled.

"Don't get any wild ideas." Marie said, smiling.

Desiree spun around on the stool by the counter. She fixed me with a look of sudden confusion. I wondered what had made her so nervous all of a sudden.

"If you're not living at home, Dais, where are you staying?" She asked.

"W-well, I'm staying with my boyfriend." I mumbled the last part.

"Sorry I missed that last part." Desiree said.

"She said she's staying with her boyfriend." Marie grinned, counting some notes.

"Boyfriend?! Since when? Why am I only just hearing about this now?" Desiree said.

"He dropped her off earlier." Marie said.

"And everyone else has seen him, but your pal Desi. I'm offended." Desiree said.

"N-no, It's just you weren't here." I said, trying to placate her.