Taken By You

Chapter 4

Janine POV

I wake up look over at the clock. 5PM. I've been sleeping for 20 hours. I get up and brush my hair. I try to think of anything but my two best friends, alone and cold. It has been surprisingly cold for July. The day is warm, maybe 85 degrees, and night can get down to 20 degrees sometimes. I wonder where they are, what they are thinking. Are they tired, or hungry? Maybe he doesn't want to hurt them, just wants the money.

I need to stop thinking of them or I might cry. If I cry I'll never stop.... Ever.

I need to get ready for the charity event tonight. Detective Roger and the others created a charity to help find them. Since we have no evidence, and not enough money to run this by ourselves, they created S&B Foundation. People can donate money to help find girls who have been kidnapped or are missing. Tonight's the big debut night, so I need to attract donators. More money means more of a chance of finding my best friends.

I shower and blow dry my hair. It's feels nice to shower. I feel the sadness and depression wash over me. I bet Bethy would laugh at me if she heard how dramatic I was being. She would always lighten the mood by making fun of drama or just not caring enough about it. Stevie was sensitive and balanced Bethy out. I always went to Stevie for advice, and Bethy whenever I needed a laugh. They always made my day, whatever I needed them for.

I tried to use concealer and blush to make my face seem more appealing. The bags under my eyes looked even worse when covered in powder, and my pale skin did not change. I gave up and worked on my eyes. I'm glad I was finally able to catch up on my sleep, since I haven't slept since they disappeared 2 days ago.

"Janine!" Mom yells, hurting my ears. "Time to goooo!"

We go in the car and drove off.

When we arrive at the community center 15 minutes later, cars are lined up on the grass. I am so glad that many people are going to be able to help out. I recognized a couple people for. The neighborhood, but all the others were complete strangers to me.

Mrs. Shandra walks up to me, followed by a man and a boy who looked around my age. The boy has a cute round face, and beautiful blue eyes, and blond hair. He looks at me staring, and I shy away. I can feel my cheeks heating up.

"Janine, this is our witness, George, and his son Greg. I think he's around your age, right Greg?" Mrs. Shandra says, turning towards Greg.

"Hi!" He says, sticking out his hand. I shake it and feel his warmth. I hold on a little too long and quickly pull away.

I start to wander around, shaking people's hands and taking in their apologies. An older looking lady walked up to me and said, "oh hi! You must be Janine. Oh deary I'm so sorry for you're loss. You have my donation!"

I can't believe her! It's like she took all my hope and ripped it from my heart. They are not dead, they are absolutely 100% alive. As if on cue, Greg saunters up and taps the old lady on the shoulder.

"Excuse me ma'am, but these two girls are not dead. If they were dead, police would have found bodies. You have obviously lost hope and don't need your donation. Thank you very much." And with that, he turned away towards the punch bowl. Wow. I can't believe a stranger, an awfully cute stranger, would stick up for me and my very alive friends.

I went towards him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Thank you for...you know." I said sheepishly.

"Oh, it was nothing. That lady had no right to say that." He said, smiling his adorable smile. I almost forgot about Stevie and Bethy for a second. Almost.

I did some more hand shaking and talking, and even got a couple donation promises. I headed to the porch, enjoying the nice evening breeze. After about five minutes, I feel a tap my shoulder. I jump; It startles me. I turn around and see Greg.

"Oh. It's just you! You scared me for a second..." I say.

"I just wanted to see if you're okay." He says, giving me that grin.

"I'm fine. I guess..." I sigh.

"You know, I had a friend who disappeared once. He came back a week later because he had just run away, but it scared the heck out of everybody! I really believe that they are going to come back; I really do." He says, turning toward the door.

"Wait!" I say, quickly grabbing his arm. What am I doing? My body quickly takes over and kisses him. He seems surprised at first, but then returns the kiss. We kiss passionately for about 60 seconds, until the same old lady walks outside.

"Oh my!" She shrieks. We quickly pull away, my cheeks fiery red. "You'd think a depressed girl wouldn't be out here making out with a boy. Humph." She sneers, and walks back inside.

I was this close, this close! At least we had a passionate kiss. And he kissed back! That means he likes me! Am I a bad person? I mean,yes I'm extremely sad, but I can't have a little bit of fun? I really like him; I think he likes me too. It would be nice to have someone to get through this with, until they come back.

"Well bye...." There's an awkward silence between us. We both look longingly in each others eyes. I quickly turn away. I am a terrible person.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

The next morning, my mom abruptly woke me up.

"C'mon, they want us at the police department" she says.

I feel groggy and tired, but I jump up anyways. I throw on some jeans and run outside.

Once we get there, many people are pacing. This can't be good. I see Greg and his dad walk in. You can almost cut the sexual tension with a knife! Once almost everyone we know gets there, detective Roger all stares at us. Mrs. Shandra looks on the brink of tears. I'm really scared of what's wrong.

"I'm sorry to tell every one that..." He sniffles, looking like he might cry as well, "that we have found some more evidence. This morning gunshot was heard. The neighbors went outside and saw our suspect run in a red Camry with Stevie. They found Bethy in the shed dead. I'm so sorry Mrs. Julie!" He said.

I can't believe this. The old lady was right. They aren't going to make it. Before anyone can react, I run out. I can't take this. I burst into tears, and run into the street. I see the bridge. I just want to jump. Just to be with her, and Stevie whenever she dies. Because I know she will. I start to climb over when I hear a voice. Am I going crazy?

"Janine! Janine! Don't do it!" Greg yells. He grabs me and brings me safe from the railing. He hugs me tight, and I start to sob on his shoulder. Why me? Why them? Why can it be him, the bad guy who took her away from me. I sob for a long time, what seems to be an hour but only is a minute. He was there for me when I needed him. And I appreciate that.

"Thank you.... So...... Much!" I blubber. Once I feel dry of tears, I lift my head and look at him. I have a huge headache and a hole in my heart. Suddenly, he kisses me. It takes all the worry away for just a moment, and it is so refreshing. His lips taste so good, and I just enjoy the moment while I can.

"You know, we should head back to support the others." He says, breaking the passion.

When we return, the room feels heavy. You can feel the sadness and smell the tears. Every one is in tears or in shock. I run and hug Mrs. Julie. Here I was, feeling bad for myself while Mrs. Julie lost her only daughter. Here I am, thinking of boys and that damn old lady. I hate myself.

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Bethy is officially dead :'( I loved her! Do you like Greg?! I do... He's a cutie!!!

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Thats all for now :)

Claire