Homesick

1

Delia's pov
I wake up and unconsciously reach out for my girlfriend, only to find her side of the bed is empty. My eyes flutter open as I pat my hand around, assuming my hand doesn't extend enough. I feel that the sheets are cold however which means she's not been here for a while. Usually I'm the first one of us to get up so it's a bit odd but I don't really pay any mind to it.

I pull the covers down, swinging my legs over the bed and letting my feet touch the floor. I stand up, stretched out and hearing a few pops here and there. I yawn as I rub my eyes and blindly put on a robe, before  walking towards the kitchen with my eyes half-closed since I know my way from the many times I've done this before. The house is silent, prompting me to fully wake up as I search for Alicia.

I get to the kitchen, turning on the kettle for tea and think about where she could've gone. She's not exactly the most quiet when it comes to moving around, so I'd definitely have heard her if she was in the house. I make my tea and sit for a while to drink it like usual, checking for any messages on my phone. I do this every morning to see if there's updates from the girls but now I'm mainly checking for her.

She hasn't sent anything or called me and I begin to worry. Then I hear her voice in my head telling me how I worry too much and I take some deep breaths. She probably just ran out to the store or something and thought she'd be back in time. Though it is a bit early for her to go the store... maybe it was supposed to be a surprise?

I look at the time and realize I have to leave soon so I get ready and head to the academy. If anything, she'll show up here at some point because she always stops by on her breaks. I try not to think about it too much but I can't help to wonder where she is or what she's doing on my whole drive over to Robichaux's.

a few hours later

It's lunchtime now and I'm in the kitchen, expecting her to walk in at any minute. It feels like I'm having withdrawals, my hands are shaky and my heart is beating so fast. I didn't get a kiss or anything from her this morning, since she was gone, so I'm really craving for her now. The time seems to pass so slow as I stand there so I decide to head outside for some fresh air.

After some time, I check my watch and lunch is almost over. It's now that my worry returns and I begin to panic. I try to calm myself, deciding to call her since that's the best option. It rings and rings and soon her voice comes through but it's just the voicemail. I try again, and again... and again but no answer. I leave her a voicemail, also sending a text, and I wait.

My next class is starting soon but I'm in no shape to teach, so I ask Zoe to cover for me. I quickly transmutate home into our living room, calling out her name with no answer in return. I look all over the house, calling her phone but still—nothing. My breathing is getting too fast and I can't calm myself down so I go to my contacts, my hands shaking as I try to type in a name.

Eventually I get it and click her number to call, putting it on speaker and setting it on the counter. I rest my palms on the marble surface as well, hoping the shock of the coldness will ground me. It rings and rings and I'm not sure she'll even pick up which worries me even more but finally she does. "Hello?" she answers confused, her slight southern accent popping out a bit more than usual; which tells me she was probably napping as it could be her day off.

"H-hi... I'm sorry I—I probably woke you but-" "woah woah... breathe, ok? Just slow down and take breath. You're perfectly fine, alright? You didn't bother me at all, I was just laying down watching a movie" she tells me and that relaxes me a bit. She breathes with me for a while and reassures me that I'm ok. Once I've calmed down, I tell her about everything and then it's silent for a while.

Billie's pov
I was taking a nap when my phone started ringing and at first I was going to ignore it because it's my day off, but something told me I should answer it. I checked the caller ID and realized it was Delia so I picked up and I could hear her breathing almost immediately. Once I calmed her down, she started rambling frantically and I struggled to keep up. So I sat up to wake myself further, as I could tell by her tone it was serious.

She tells me about how Alicia has just disappeared and isn't answering her calls. Of course I think maybe she just went to work early or something and got busy; then she says she hasn't heard from her all day. I check the time and see it's a little after one at this point which peaks my interest too. Those pair have been attached at the hip since they met, so it's odd that she would essentially drop off the grid.

I decide to text her while I'm on the phone with Delia because maybe she's planning a surprise or something. It still would be weird that she wouldn't answer any calls or text because we all know how Delia panics over any little thing. However, this time, I feel like she might have a reason to be alarmed but of course I don't tell her that.

"W-what if she's dead?" my ears perk up at that and I put the phone back to my ear, taking a deep breath. "Sweetheart, I promise you she's not dead" I say calmly, "and how would YOU know that?!" she asks frantically. "I'm a medium, remember? If she was dead I would know, darling" I reply, wanting to chuckle but knowing it's not the time.

"Right... ok. So she's not dead, just missing" she sighs exasperatedly, "ok, we don't know for sure that she's missing" I point out. "Then what do you suppose happened?! You know how she is, well, how we are. She wouldn't just left without saying anything!" she protests and I can't say she doesn't have a point.

"That's valid" I tell her, not wanting to freak her out but also I'm not going to invalidate her feelings when she has a good point. "I don't know what to do Billie! I- damn it! I should be able to figure this out! What good are my powers if I don't even know how to find her?!" she begins to ramble and I let her for a while so she can get it out but stop her before she goes down the rabbit hole too far.

"Ok, how about this?" I think aloud, taking a deep breath as I think. "I have to film for the next two days but after that, I have a few weeks off so, if she doesn't show up by then; I'll fly over and help you look, ok? I promise we'll get it sorted" I assure her and I hear her sigh. "Ok" she whispers, "now, it's past lunch, have you eaten?" I ask her even though I already know the answer.

"No..." she mumbles softly, almost like a child and I chuckle at that. "So first you need to eat something, even if it's small" I FaceTime her and she answers quickly, pouting as I stare back at her. I can see her eyes are a little puffy and red which makes me frown. I know this is really getting to her and I can't say it isn't worrying me too.

I talk with her while she makes a sandwich, also texting the girls that classes are cancelled for the day. It's Friday, so at least she won't have to worry about it for a while. Once she seems settled as she gets into bed, I tell her I'll let her sleep and we get off the phone. I check my messages and see she hasn't even read any of them which makes me furrow my eyebrows in concern.

Where the hell are you, Alicia...?