Butterflies (A Before You Exit fanfiction)

Chapter 21

KRISTINA'S POV

Jenna and I finally calmed down then realized there was a piece a paper on the kitchen table. We looked at each other and rushed over. It said:



::

Kris and Jen:

I know that you're probably worried sick about me right now but I just wanted to let you both know that I left by my own free will, nothing bad has happened to me. It's just that with Kaitlin and Riley and Toby, I needed a break. I needed some time to think. I guess I never wanted to believe that Kaitlin was like this, that Riley would cheat on me, and that Toby would take her back for reasons that you know. If you haven't already please do NOT tell the boys. I don't want them looking for me. I need to be away from everyone for awhile. And also please don't try and hurt Riley and or Toby or make decisions you'll regret. Like I said, I just needed time alone, without anyone worrying about me. Also, I'm sorry that I left in the middle of the night. You guys wouldn't have let me go if I left when you were awake. Oh, I forgot to say this before, but only if it's completely necessary, you can call Braiden and or Thomas and Connor. Depends of the situation.

I'm not sure if Kaitlin knows I ran. But, if she does, I know she'll jump at the opportunity to hurt me. So, if I'm not back by 12:15, then you can come looking for me. Yes, I took my skateboard so no, I don't need a ride.

I love you guys.

Maria

::

"What time is it?" I asked Jenna after we finished reading.

Her face went blank. "12:30."

"Do you think she's on her way home?" I questioned.

"I don't know. But I think we should call Braiden just in case."

"Okay. I'll do it.

<phone conversation>

"Brai?" I asked.

"Hey, Kris! I was just about to call you guys! I'm heading over to the McDo-"

"Shut up. We have a big problem. Maria ran away last night."

"WHAT?!"

"Calm down she's fine. But she wrote a letter saying she needed to be alone blah blah blah and that she should be back by 12:15 and if she's not we could call you and or Thomas and Connor. So, it's 12:30 so we decided to call you just in case."

"Okay. I'm on my way."

"Thanks. And one more thing, no one else finds out. Like Maria said in the letter, only Thomas and or Connor depending on the situation."

"Okay. See you soon."

"Bye."

<end of phone conversation>

"He's on his way." I told Jen.

"Oka-" she got cut off by a startling noise.

Then, in came Braiden.

"What the hell dude?!" I exclaimed. Braiden barged in, through the door against the wall, and now the hinges were destroyed.

He looked over and said, "I can fix that in 15 minutes. Just show me the letter."

Jenna handed Braiden the letter. He read it then thought for a few minutes.

"It's September 1st. Maybe she went to the beach?" Braiden suggested.

"Well, let's go." Jenna said.

____

We just got to the beach and there's no sign of Maria.

"Where else would she be?" Braiden asked.

"The mall maybe? I mean, it's cold for September and even colder at the beach, so maybe she hung out at like Panera or Wendy's or something then went to the mall? Cause they have cheap food and a Starbucks in there." I suggested.

"The mall it is then." Braiden confirmed.

____

"Let's check the yogurt shop, then Starbucks, then Panera, then the food court. If we still can't find her after that we'll look through all of her favorite stores." Jenna said while Braiden and I nodded.

We walked to the yogurt shop in silence as the rest of the people that passed us were laughing and talking loudly.

When we finally got to the yogurt shop, there she was. She was sitting in the corner, eating her yogurt.

"MARIA!" Jenna, Braiden, and I screamed.

Everyone including Maria looked at us with a shocked expression. Then Maria's eyes widened as she checked her watch. Then her face got red.

We rushed over and greeted her with hugs.

"I'm so so so sorry! I lost track of time! The last time I checked it was 5am, not 1pm!" Maria exclaimed.

All of our eyes widened.

"Wait, how long have you been here?" Braiden asked.

"Since 5. I left the house at 1 and just walked around or was at Panera or Wendy's." she explained.

"I told you that's where she spent the night." I said.

"Well, I'm just glad that you didn't call all of the boys." Maria mumbled.

Although Jenna and I knew why, Braiden asked, "Why didn't you want them to know?"

"I guess it's because one of my best friends got back together with the girl that my boyfriend was cheating on me with and that I needed time alone to think." she said.

"Okay. I get it." Braiden said. Then, his phone beeped.

"Crap. I forgot to tell the guys I was 'sick'." Braiden said.

"Ha!" I said.

Braiden ignored me and stared at his phone. "Uhm.. It's Connor. He said that Riley and Toby are out and he wanted all of us to get together."

"Okay. My place." Jenna, Maria, and I said.

"Okay. So, we are gonna tell Thomas and Connor what happened once they get here right?" Braiden asked.

"Yeah." Maria said.

-

MARIA'S POV

"Hey guys." I said as Connor and Thomas walked through the front door.

"Hey. Are you okay? You look sick." Connor said.

"Yeah, what's up?" Thomas asked.

Jenna, Kristina, Braiden, and I all exchanged glances.

"Go ahead Maria." Braiden said gently while Jenna and Kris comforted me.

"Well... I ran away last night.." I started.

Thomas and Connor's mouths dropped as they ran towards me and hugged me tight asking a bunch of questions.

"GUYS!" I yelled.

They all looked over at me.

"Okay. I'll explain everything just keep quiet."

*

After I finally finished, even saying the parts that I didn't tell Jenna, Kris, or Braiden, the guys had tears in their eyes and the girls were crying. But Connor looked the worst, probably since I ran away because of the actions of his brothers.

"I'm calling them." he stated.

"No! I don't want them to know yet. And I'm not ready to face either of them, especially Toby." I trailed off as Jenna and Kristina came and hugged me.

Thomas wiped his eyes and said, "Okay, let's get our minds off of this and watch a movie."

"Your pick Maria." Braiden said.

"Okay... uhm... how about.... an old one... Bridge to Teribithia?" I suggested.

"Sounds good." they said.

We all went downstairs to watch the movie. The girls were still upset so Braiden and Thomas sat them down and held them. Then as soon as I knew it the two lovey dovey couples were kissing. Ugh. We were in the middle of the movie. They probably don't realize what they're doing to me. I would probably get distracted too.

But, I can't take this anymore. I need to get out of here.

"Hey guys I'm gonna go relax in my room. I'm really tired. You can stay down here and finish the movie or go up to bed, doesn't matter just don't leave the house without telling me." I said as I walked upstairs. Kris and Jenna's faces were pale as they realizes why I was going upstairs.

They immediately got up to follow but I stopped them. "Guys, it's fine. I know you didn't mean to and no I'm not running away again. I really am just tired." They nodded their heads and slowly proceeded back into their boyfriends' arms.

Once I got in my pajamas and was about to go into bed, a knock sounded on my door.

"Come in." I sighed.

But, I didn't expect it to be Connor to show up.

"Oh. Hi." I said.

"Hey. I just wanted to make sure you were okay and to say that it's awkward for me too."

"Thanks. I know. But I am glad that they're happy."

Connor came and sat next to me on my bed. "Yeah, me too."

"You know, you can sleep up here if it's too awkward to go back downstairs."

"Are you sure it won't be awkward for you?"

"Yeah. I mean, we're friends, it's not like we're dating."

"Yet.."

Then, Connor leaned in and kissed me, and I kissed him back.

----------------------------------------------

guys I'm back! did you miss me? no? well that's awkward. okay so anyway I had 5 tests and an essay due this past week so that's why I didn't go on. but if you saw my update status thingy or whatever you wanna call it I have one easy test next week so I'm free all weekend except a few errands. so I'll be updating more this weekend!

as always outfits on the side and please vote comment and like!

ask- ASK.FM/ITSSMARIAABYE

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okay I just got the ig so yeah follow me and ask me questions!

oh and I GOT OVER 1K SO THAT MEANS FIVE UPDATES PLUS TWO MORE THIS WEEKEND!

okay so by next Friday there should be five more updates.

so I'm starting this thing where every time I get another 1k reads I do five updates in a week plus my other one instead of the normal one a week.

but maybe I'll do more this week since I hit 1k before 2014!

ilysm all!

~Maria💕