Because I'm scared to say the truth - Landoscar

·Chapter 17·

   Monday arrived, and Lando was filled with nervous energy as he paced around his room, his mind preoccupied with Oscar. He had spent the whole weekend trying to reach him, but his phone was missing. He couldn't understand where it had gone. Every time he tried to convince himself that things could be fixed, that he could explain, the sinking feeling of uncertainty washed over him.

   Determined to face things head-on, Lando prepared himself for school, hoping to find Oscar there. As soon as he walked through the doors, he scanned the hallways, looking for any sign of Oscar. His heart skipped a beat every time he saw someone wearing a black hoodie, but it was never Oscar. He quickly met up with Charles, Alex, and George in their usual spot.

 "Have you guys seen Oscar?" Lando asked, trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice.

  Charles shook his head. "Not today. I thought he'd be with you, considering how close you two have gotten."

   "Yeah, same," Alex added, giving Lando a curious look. "Is everything alright between you two?"

 "I... I don't know," Lando admitted. "We had a misunderstanding at the club, but I haven't been able to reach him since."

 George frowned, his voice soft with concern. "Do you think something's wrong?"

 "I hope not," Lando muttered. He searched for  his phone again.

   Something didn't feel right.

 "Maybe he's just taking some time to himself," Charles suggested, trying to be optimistic. "He's probably trying to figure things out."

 "Yeah, but for him to not show up at all today?" Lando shook his head. "That's not like him."

   As the hours passed and there was still no sign of Oscar, Lando couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him. By lunchtime, he decided he couldn't just sit and wait anymore. He was going to Oscar's house. He needed answers, and if there was one person who could tell him what was going on, it was Nicole, Oscar's mother.

   When Lando pulled up in front of Oscar's house, he took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He knocked on the door and waited. After a few moments, Nicole opened the door, her face lighting up with recognition.

 "Lando! What a pleasant surprise. Come in, dear," she said warmly, stepping aside to let him in.

"Hi, Nicole" Lando greeted as he stepped into the familiar living room. "I was hoping to talk to Oscar. Is he here?"

 Nicole's smile faded slightly, replaced by a hint of confusion. "Oscar? But I thought he was staying with you these past few days. He told me he'd be spending the weekend at your place."

 Lando felt his heart drop. "No, he... he wasn't with me. I haven't seen him since Friday night."

 Nicole's expression shifted from confusion to concern, her eyes widening as she processed what Lando was saying. "Are you sure? He said he'd be with you."

 "I'm sure," Lando confirmed, trying to keep his voice steady. "I've been trying to reach him all weekend, but I can't find my phone."

 "That doesn't make any sense," Nicole murmured, her hand flying to her mouth in worry. "He always calls. Always."

 Panic began to build in Lando's chest, the reality of the situation hitting him full force. "Nicole, do you know if he mentioned anything to you? Anything that might explain where he could be?"

 She shook her head, tears starting to pool in her eyes. "No, he didn't say anything out of the ordinary. He seemed happy. He... he was excited about spending time with you."

 Lando's heart ached at her words. "I'm so sorry. I... I'll find him, I promise."

 "Where could he be?" Nicole's voice cracked, and the fear in her eyes mirrored the panic that Lando felt deep inside.

 "I don't know," Lando whispered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "But I'll figure it out. I'll find him."

 "He has to be okay," Nicole muttered, mostly to herself. "He's a smart boy. He knows how to take care of himself."

 Lando nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure if he was reassuring her or himself. "I'll check with some of our friends, see if they've heard from him."

 "Please, Lando," Nicole's voice trembled. "Please find my son."

 "I will," he vowed, giving her hand a comforting squeeze before turning to leave.

   As Lando walked back to his car, his heart hammered in his chest, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. His mind raced with possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. He knew that when Oscar was hurt, he could do anything to feel the pain. He couldn't let anything happen to Oscar. He wouldn't.

   In that moment, Lando made a promise to himself: he would find Oscar, no matter what it took.