The Boy Who Couldn't Save Me

Chapter 3: The Missing Girl

she was always told that she'd be somebody but no one knew what fate lay in her destiny...
her parents never expected her to be plastered all over the news the way she was, or for her name to only be spoken in hushed tones...
their worst nightmares had come true, their little girl was gone and there was no one to blame...
who was to blame...

Two months had passed and so did Hunter's birthday. For as long as I've known him, this would have been the first to pass where I never called.
Today was April 7th and I was now in my third trimester - going into my seven month, to be exact. Zack and I had now met our baby a few times during our sonograms and we had the opportunity of knowing the gender, but we decided to wait. I was getting so big now that it was getting harder to even see my own feet these days. As hard as it was for Zack, he was really trying, although the first time the baby kicked, everyone ran over to me, wanting to feel my stomach but not Zack. He stood back and gave me a strange look, like a stranger who felt as though he shouldn't be feeling my stomach.
Our parents were such a great help. His parents bought us the crib for the baby and my mom made us up a basket full of baby blankets, diapers, stuffed animals and formula.
I sat on the bottom stair and put my foot on top of the shoe rack so I could tie my laces. I was determined to do it myself today as Zack has been doing it for me all week. I reached forward to grab the lace that hung down the side of my shoe and my fingertips were just inches away from reaching. No luck.
"Bailie, I told you I can help you with that," Zack said as he passed me on the stairs.
I slammed my foot on the ground, frustrated with myself yet again this week. Zack laughed at me and put my shoe on his lap and then began tying my laces.
"You're no fun," I told him as I crossed my arms.
"I'm not supposed to be fun, I'm supposed to be helpful."
"Yeah, well it's annoying."
"Comes with the job," he said with a small smile on his lips. He then gently put my foot back on the ground and lifted the other one.
"Okay, I guess I'm grateful for all your help," I rolled my eyes.
"There you go, that's all I wanted," he laughed and then sat my other foot back down. He then stood up and held out his hand. "You need help to get up too?"
I threw him a look and took his hand. He pulled me to my feet and then kissed me. I followed him to the kitchen where Dina was putting the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher. She looked up at us and smiled.
"Hey guys, what's up?"
"Nothing, we're just about to leave for school."
"I'll be so glad when I finally get to leave in two weeks," I said."
"I know. June can't come quick enough for you," Dina said, touching my stomach. Zack's eyes shifted down to her hand and then he cleared his throat and walked away, making himself busy by grabbing his car keys.
"You ready?" he asked me and I nodded my head.
"Alright, bye, mom," Zack said before walking out of the room.
I looked around at Dina who also noticed how he reacted. I waved at her then followed Zack to his car. He was already in the driver's seat by the time I got out there. I didn't say anything to him because I knew that conversation would have gone. He would tell me that he's fine and that he's still blaming himself and I would just tell him that it was okay. Same damn thing.
Sadie eventually came out to the car, taking longer than usual and even though it was warm today, she wore a hoodie.

My dad was still in prison, awaiting his trial. Cody managed to get access to his bank records and now had evidence that he was stealing the money people were donating.
The first thing my mom did the day after the event was file for a divorce. She wanted nothing else to do with him and she wanted her name back and I agreed that I wanted the same. The name Bailie Barnes still sounded better than anything that was attached to my father.
I didn't see Hunter anymore. After the night of my dad's event, he disappeared - just stopped coming to school. His absence was everywhere and his empty seat in every class was just a reminder that he was actually gone from my life and I don't know why but I still wondered about him. I also wondered about his mom and how she was doing with everything. She might like me now that I no longer hang out with Hunter.
After all these weeks, people were still talking about my dad. A few of them came to me and apologised for me having to live with such a monster. They were also questioning if he left me pregnant which I denied every single time. A few others were angry that their parents and family members were robbed, which was understandable, I just wished they hadn't directed their anger at me.
Surprisingly, school seemed to fly by me and on the way to the main doors, I saw Zoey walking in and towards the principal. She gave me the fiercest look as she passed me.
Yeah, she definitely still hated me.
Zack dropped me back home before leaving for work with Frankie, they weren't working for too long today so I went for a quick shower and then helped Dina with dinner.
"Do you have any ideas on what you wanna do for your birthday?" Dina asked while handing me cutlery to set the table.
"My birthday?" I asked her, completely forgetting that it was very soon. "I hadn't even had time to think about it."
"Well, it's a big birthday," she reminded me. "I know you can't exactly drink alcohol like the rest of us, but we can still make it special."
"Yeah, after getting spiked, I don't think I'll ever drink alcohol ever again."
"Do you still not have any idea who would do that to you?"
"It was probably Hunter," I told her. "Sadie had just broken up with him and his ego was bruised."
"Yeah, but why spike you? Like, why not her?"
"I don't know. Why does Hunter do anything he does?"
"Yeah, I guess that's true. Well, definitely have a think about what to do for your birthday."
"Honestly, I'd rather just spend it with you guys."
Dina smiled and nodded her head.
"Great, we can go for dinner or something."
"Sure," I smiled and then she looked at me.
"Oh, I am so proud of you," she said. "You've come so far in the past few months and no matter how many times you got knocked down, you kept getting back up."
"I guess I just realised that things are gonna happen whether I choose to get up or stay down."
"You're so right about that."
Just then, the front door opened and Frankie and Zack walked in.
"Oh, my God, I'm starving and that food smells so sexy!" Frankie said and I laughed. Dina put her hands on her hips and frowned her eyebrows.
"Frankie, how the hell can food smell sexy?"
"You can make anything sexy, Dina," he told her causing her to roll her eyes at him and Zack to give him a weird look.
"Dude, stop hitting on my mom." Zack said and Frankie laughed while shrugging his shoulders.
"Yeah, well you're lucky I made extra," Dina told Frankie."
He smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek before licking his lips.
"You're an idiot," I laughed and he sat at the table across from me, winking his eye at me.