Crazy Stupid Love

Chapter 70: That Girl

Marriya could be dead. No matter how much I try, I can't shake that thought from my brain. As hard as I work to focus on anything else, the image of my sister lying dead on the side of a freeway continually pushes to the forefront of my mind. Less than 12 hours ago I had her in my arms, and now she is gone with the intention of never returning to this house. My baby sister. If we don't find her, Ross Lynch is as good as dead. If he chased away the last living member of my family and I don't get her back, I will kill him with my own bare hands.

For Ross' safety, his brothers suggested we take some time to regroup before attempting to find Marriya. Despite my protests, that was the plan of action they decided to go with. It kills me inside, knowing every second I sit in my room waiting is another second my sister is using to get away. By doing nothing the odds of finding her are rapidly decreasing, and Ross doesn't even give a shit. I will never forgive him for this.

Quite quickly, my anger transforms into sadness and I find myself sprawled out on my bedroom floor sobbing. I soon channel this sadness into music; my shaky hands strumming the guitar as I start to sing.

"You were like a brother to me, Like a member of the family, Stayin' over on Christmas Eve
But every time I look at you now, All I see is her stormin' out, On the day her world came crashin' down
That girl She had a beautiful heart that you shattered like glass That girl Is still in love with you
If I could, I'd erase every tear drop stain you left on her face Sometimes I wish you never knew That girl
I see the guilt glaze over your eyes Every time you apologize 'Cause your story's still full o' lies Yeah Gotta know where I'm comin' from Like a bullet out of a gun What you did can't be undone And I'd do anything for That girl"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

　
Marriya's POV

My eyes scan the curb, waiting for him to pull in. A small smile curves my lips as he parks in front of me; transforming into a deep grin as he waves me over. Swiftly I make my way to his car, keeping my head low to avoid the paparizzi.

"Marriya!" he beams.

"Hi, Cole," I greet sweetly, not being able to fight the smile from my face. "Thank you so much for doing this for me."

"It's my pleasure," he replies, pulling out of the parking lot into the heavy stream of morning LA traffic.

"I'm sorry I never called you," I add.

"Don't worry about it," he assures me. "You were at a tough place and you needed to find yourself. How have you been?"

For the second time in my life, I confide my deepest secrets in Cole Kingman. Although he is still practically a stranger to me, I feel a strong sense of trust with him. Over the course of the ride, I fill him in on the events of the last year of my life. He listens intently, giving the appropriate responses at the right times and staying silent for the rest. His deep brown eyes flicker between me and the road; compassion swelling in them as I tell him about my parents. When explaining what Ross did, I keep it brief and somehow manage to keep myself together. I look down at my hands that are so accustomed to holding his and every piece of my heart aches for him, but no tears come. I'm done crying for a boy who isn't worth it.

"So where do you think you'll go?" he asks after I finsh.

"To be completly honest, I don't know. I've thought about going back to Toronto, but my family would expect that. They'd find me."

"Well, Marriya, you're welcome to stay with me as long as you need," my new friend offers.

I flash him a grateful smile.

Before the silence can become awkward, Cole pulls the sleek black car into a parking garage across from a tall brick apartment building. After instructing me to follow him, he leads me inside and up a few flights of stairs before stopping in front of a door that reads '5R'. I roll my eyes at what has to be a coincidence. The key slides into the handle, and a small click signifies it has unlocked.

I feel Cole's eyes on me as I enter the apartment, and something about his stare chills me to my core. Smiling at him; I dismiss the though. He barely knows me, yet is willing to give me so much. He has been there for me when I need him and have given me more than I could have ever asked for. Bad people don't do that.

"You can have this room," he informs me, flicking the light on in a bedroom at the end of the hallway.

It is extremly basic, holding only a twin bed, night stand, desk, and a small closet. The walls are a dull white; the floor dark hardwood with a black rug lying in the middle. I smile internally. This is my new home.

"I know it's not much," Cole begins.

"It's perfect."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

　
Ross' POV

My parched lips wrap aound the bottle, and I feel a release the second the liquid floods my system. The alcohol burns in my throat but the thought of Marriya continues to burn in my mind. I down shot after shot of vodka, attempting to find some relief from the pain I have begun to grow accustomed to. Even in my drunken state, she's all I want.

It's been a long time since I drank like this. Almost immediatly after Marriya became part of my life, she helped me break this nasty habit. Just being in her precense was intoxicating enough. The intense desire to drown my problems in booze disappeared, and something much better took its place. Marriya Hannah Ratliff.

But now she's gone, and the liquor is all I have.

I drink to the point of not being able to remember my own name, but I could never forget hers. My eyelids soon grow heavy; my weak body collapsing onto the floor. Within seconds I fall into a deep and dreamless sleep; her piercing hazel eyes the first thing I see when I close mine and the last thing I remember before losing all consciousness.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Hey guys :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry it took so long, and I appreciate you guys waiting. If you did enjoy it, give it a vote and a comment.

This chapter I would like to give a shout out to a new R5 fanfic I've started called "Stay With Me" and it's by Tannerbugs
Everyone go check it out!

Also, the song in this chapter is That Girl by Jordan Mcintosh :)

All the love. Always.

~ Hannah xxx