The Girl They Couldn't Find

Chapter 18

Maya's POV
I crouched over the toilet seat, and let my stomach propel the guilt out of my body. God, I feel like crap.

"Maya? Honey? Are you okay?" Mum shouts. I'm exceptionally glad that she's home. Last night,we cried over the Fault In Our Stars together, and then cried over Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, because we knew that Riley would've cried with us too. She popped caramel popcorn, and told hilarious stories about how she and Shawn went to an amusement park in Florida.

Mum rushed into the room, her fluffy pink bunny slippers thumping against the floor of the apartment's bathroom floor. I held onto her weakly, as she passed me a bottle of water.

"Honey, you've been vomiting all week."
"Lucas and Farkle are preparing so that we can go on the search for Riley. I'm just..."
"You were,"-Mum winked-"with Charlie weren't you?"
"I feel...so damn guilty! I should've been there for Riley. I felt like I needed an escape. Yeah, well someone did escape, but it wasn't me. I should've been there, persuaded her not to run."

Mum pressed me close to her chest. "You did nothing wrong. For your whole lives, you two have been devoted to each other. Those demons are real nasty. It would take a stronger person than you to persuade Riley to stay, and you're one of the strongest people I know."

I leant against the wall, and sighed.

"Mum, why do I feel like I've eaten a lump of poop?"
"I vomited in the toilet a lot when I was pregnant with you."
"Mum, please. I'm on the pill."
"Did he use a prophylactic sheath?"
"Wow Mum! You used a big word!"
"Jace is going to be so proud."
"Mum, I swear, there is no way I'm pregnant."
"Speak of the devil, we're Skyping Jace and Shawn in...two minutes!"

We dashed out of the bathroom, chuck on sarcastic shirts, and switch on the Skype.

My awesome stepdad and epic stepbrother smiled form ear to ear when they saw us.

"Jace Rider Hunter-Hart, why are you wearing a Twilight shirt?" I drawled, and Jace stuck his tongue out at me. Mum and Shawn adopted Jace the year they got married. He had amnesia, and couldn't remember his name or his deceased first family. He's only a year younger than me, and is one of the best seventeen-year old stepbrothers in the world. Shawn home schools him, so that he can have company while he travels around the world for photo shoots.

Damn it Maya, you sound corny.

"Leona dared me to."
"Fun girlfriend."
"Hi Maya."
"Hi Shawn."
"Are you alright? I heard about Riley, I-I am distraught."
"I'm..."
"Don't lie to me Maya."
"I feel guilty because I was with my boyfriend Charlie the night she vanished."

The boys' jaws dropped, and they clapped hands.

"Maya, you dog."
"I still did it before you Maya."
"Shut it Jace."
"We're here for you okay Maya?"
"Shawn, you left last week, I'm not that worried."

Shawn grinned at Katie, and she flipped her hair flirtatiously.

"Maya? Jace?" Shawn started.
"I'm pregnant!" Katie announced, moving her hands flamboyantly.
"What the-"
"MUM THAT IS AMAZING!!!!" Another sibling! Hold on, more smells. Ugh, I thought living with Jace was terrible.
"As of now, I am 12 weeks pregnant. Now, if you excuse us boys, we have to go."
"Love you K. Bye Maya."
"Jace, I am SO kicking your butt at Pacman when you get home."
"No chance Maya. Aloha from Hawaii!"
"Aloha means hello."
"It also means goodbye."

And with that, the boys ended the Skype.

I threw my arms around Mum, and she giggled.

"Be careful Maya, I've got a human inside me."
"Does it have to be a human?"
"Do you promise that you're not pregnant?"
"I'm on the pill!"
"Did you use a you-know-what?"
"I honestly can't remember."
---------------------------------------
"Maya?!"
"Hey Cheese Soufflé."

I smiled, curled up in the old armchair. My jet black cap was askew on my forehead, and my white shirt said: I only look good on days that end in Y.

"Thanks for...that night."
"Want more?"
"Ooh...someone's in a dirty mood."
"My mum's pregnant."
"Are you okay?"
"Riley's gone."
"I'm going to be there every step of the way okay?"
"I'm not pregnant Charlie."
"Ha ha. Zay needs to talk to you. He's here with Lucas."
"Yay, you're going."
"Sad face emoji. I love you Maya. I really do."

Charlie left, and I felt my heart do a jive.

"Prove it," I demanded into the phone.
"Well, if it isn't the Soufflé's cheese."
"Oh, I'll show you what cheese can do."
"I'll be happy to oblige."
"Ha hurrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Maya?"
"Yes Mister Babineaux?"
"We've found a new clue."

And at that moment, I hung up the phone and went to puke in the toilet.