It's Gonna Be My Year

Chapter 13

The tour flew by. We were back in Baltimore before we knew it, and I already missed it all.

The last show was last night and We only had a few weeks until All Time Low headed off for Europe- we weren't gonna join them for the rest of the tour.

I sat with Alex and Lisa in their apartment as Jack had gone out for beers. We were watching TV and Alex had hogged all the popcorn.

"What date is it today?" I reached over for a handful of popcorn but Alex snatched the bowl away.

"Mine. And it's May 25th, why?" Lisa slapped his hand and he passed me the bowl. I placed it down on the floor.

"Oh shit..." I stood up and swiftly hugged them both, "I-I've gotta go..." I ran out of the room and heard them shouting after me. I hurried out to the street and held my hand out for a cab.

- - - - -

"Sam? Are you home!?" I knocked on the door of my old flat and shouted through. I heard footsteps padding down the hall and came face to face with the blonde girl from a few months earlier.

"Is Sam in?" I didn't bother to make pleasantries as I needed my best friend.

"He's in the lounge- but who are-"

"I live here, for fuck sake." I pushed past her and swung around the door frame. Sam was sat sprawled over the small couch, messing on his phone. He heard me and turned around.

"Hey! What's up?" He smiled. I sank to the floor, unable to repress my tears. He came over and engulfed me in a hug.

"What's going on?" I turned my head to find the woman stood at the door.

I wiped away my tears and put on a fake smile, "Hi. I'm not sure if you remember me but I'm Kaitlyn. We met a while back. You're Lily, right?"

"Oh, hey! Yep, that's me!" She skipped over and hugged me, then held me at arm's length. "You've been crying- what's wrong?"

I shook my head and excused myself to the bathroom. I really didn't care about Sam's relationship at the minute, I just needed to get away. I pulled out my phone and saw a text from Jack.

Where are you? I came back to Alex's and you're gone... Xx

I made up the best excuse I could think of and quickly tapped a reply.

I went to my old apartment to see Sam and his new girlfriend! Brb xx

It wasn't technically a lie. My phone quickly buzzed again.

Ok. I love you xx

I sighed sadly and scrolled down my contacts list. I stopped at my Mom's number but then thought better of it. I needed a friend- not a parent. I carried on down until something caught my eye.

After high school, I'd lost contact with all but a handful of people. I tapped the number of my old friend Evie, and pressed call. We chatted for a little while before I told her what I needed.

"Where are you living now?"

"Still in Baltimore, why?"

"I need a place to stay..."

"Fall out with the boys?"

"Not really... Please Evie?"

"Of course. I'll pick you up. Where's your flat?"

I gave her the address of Jack's- well, my house and headed out. I'd told the cab to wait outside when I went into the flat earlier. I jumped in and the driver took me back home. I ran into my room and pulled out a duffel bag.

"I'm not a bad person. I'm not. Jack won't hate me. None of them will. I hope..." I stuffed some of my belongings into the bag, scribbled a quick not that read 'I love you, Jack.' and ran out the door. It was just a few minutes until a car pulled up outside and a familiar voice rang out.

A slim, blonde haired woman jumped out of the vehicle. I recognised her immediately. She ran up to me and we hugged fiercely.

"It's been so long! Oh my god I-"

"No time, Evie. We can catch up later. But for now, we've gotta go."

- - - - -

"Okay, tell me everything." Evie placed a cup of tea on the table in front of me.

"Well, I'm assuming you know about the band getting big?"

"Of course! It's everywhere! And I know about you and Jack." She winked at me.

"Yeah. Well..." I explained everything, from how I met Alex to running away.

"Wait, I should call Jack." I walked out of Evie's kitchen and called my boyfriend.

"Hey! I was getting worried, I found your note. Where are you?"

"I can't really explain... But I'm with and old friend an I'm perfectly safe. Don't worry, Barakat."

"Well, I'm going to worry. But I know that when you decide something- there's no changing your mind. So... Stay safe. And text me, yeah?"

"I will. I love you."

"I love you too." He rung off and I went back into the room.

- - - - -

Sam's POV

I was pulled out of my trance by a knock at the door. I was sat alone watching TV, as Lily was busy.

"Sam? You home?" It was Alex's voice. I slumped to the door and unlocked it, to see Alex and Jack stood opposite me.

"Can we come in?" Alex was doing all the talking as Jack had tears running down his face.

"Yeah, of course." I led them into the lounge and they sat down. "Do you want a drink?" I offered.

They both shook their heads and Jack buried his face in his hands.

"Okay, what's up?" I sat on the floor opposite them and sighed.

"When was the last time you heard from Jamie?" Alex was looking more worried by the second.

"Um..." I thought how long it had been since she came over, "About a week. She came over all flustered and crying, but wouldn't tell me why. Is something wrong?"

"She's disappeared." Jack choked out, "She came here last week and then just... Vanished. She called me that day to tell me she was safe, and I haven't heard from her since. What if... what if something's happened?!" He started crying harder and Alex placed an arm around his shoulder.

"Shit. I just assumed she was with you! Did she say anything when she called you? Something that might help us find her?" My heart started pounding. I should never have let her leave.

Jack took a few moments to compose himself then carried on, "She- uh said she was safe, that I shouldn't worry. She said she was with an old friend but-"

"I think I know where to find her."

I explained to them that if she was going to call anyone, it's probably be Evie. I told them how close they were and that they'd always go to each other for help. We left the flat and got into Alex's car. He drove us onto the highway and I sat in the back with Jack, trying to calm him down.

"What the fuck?"

I shot Alex a confused look and he pointed to his rear view mirror. There were two cars speeding up behind us, looking as though they were racing.

"Pull over. I don't like the look of this." I fixed my glare on the cars as they were getting closer. But we were in the middle lane. Alex honked the horn to try and get out of the way. But it was too late. One car and then the other, straight into the rear of Alex's Mercedes.

[This photo is of the girl that Evie is based off. The girl is also named Evie, but is only 14 in this photo]