Gone Kids

2. A terrible occurence

Seven days earlier...

"I love you."

"I love you more."

"No way. I love you more."

My boyfriend Jack and I are seated at a table. We came here to the bowling alley to get some time to ourselves, just like we do every other week. We never actually play the arcade games or do some bowling. We just sit together and flirt. Jack and I are madly in love. Some might say we're too young to know but I don't care. I think Jack is the one.

"That's funny because last time I checked, I love you the most," Jack tells me and bats his eyes. I lean in closer and giggle way too loudly. People begin to give us strange looks.

"Are you thirsty? Do you want me to get you something from the juice bar?" Jack asks me.

"Yeah I want a water."

Jack leaves me alone at the table to go get the drinks. I hastily pull out my mirror from my purse and I check my makeup and hair. I look perfect, as usual. I just fluff my hair a bit and use a squirt of breath spray and I'm good.

I look around when I slip my mirror into my purse. Other couples and groups of friends populate the bowling alley, but not many people come to bowl on a Monday.

I pull out my phone and I check my Instagram feed. Only one post about a new nail polish collection and a picture of a cute puppy.

"Hey beautiful," Jack surprises me when he approaches from behind. He places our drinks on the table and then sits down himself.

I hastily grab for the water. All this flirting is making me dehydrated.

"Woah, sure is hot today!" I smile at him to cover up the fact that I just downed the whole bottle. I silently scold myself for showing such acts of savagery in public.

"Not as hot as you," Jack says, and I giggle at him.

"Jack!"

"Sorry, that was a bit corny," he grins sheepishly in that way that makes me swoon. Jack leans in closer and I think he's going to kiss me, but we're interrupted by the loud ringing of my phone.

"Sorry," I say awkwardly, fumbling around my purse looking for my phone. I find it near the bottom and I see it's Gina calling me.

"It's Gina," I tell Jack, although I don't really know if he cares who is calling me.

"Hey girl, what's up?" I say after picking up the phone.

"BONNIEEEE!!" I hear pathetic sobs coming from the other end of the line.

"Oh, dear," I say.

"Bonnie, I'm in pain. My heart hurts, Bonnie. Why does the universe always have to do this to me?" Gina cries out. She's always been quite the drama queen.

"Sweetie, just calm down, and tell me exactly what happened," I say.

"Jason BROKE UP WITH ME! That's what happened," Gina sobs, then abruptly hangs up the phone. Slowly, I turn to face Jack.

"I am so sorry, but I'm going to have to leave early. Gina needs my help," I tell him.

"But we just got here," he protests.

"I know, I sorry," I kiss him on the cheek and I stand to leave.

"But-"

"Next week, I promise," and then I leave him sitting alone in the bowling alley.

On the way to Gina's house I phone Madison and Avery to be there right away. Gina will have all of our support in her time of need, I will make sure of it.

I make it to Gina's house in ten minutes flat. I know Madison and Avery are already there because they were staying at Avery's house which is only a couple blocks down.

I quickly run up to Gina's room and I open her door to Gina being comforted by Madison and Avery on either side of her. Gina's face is red and streaky. Her mascara is really messed up and she keeps grabbing for the tissue box Madison is holding in her hand.

"Oh poor baby! Tell me exactly how it happened, don't leave anything out," I coo, going to hug her.

"Well, we were just talking on the phone like we usually do every day. He was acting really strange, you know. And then, at the end of the phone call he was all like 'I think we should brake up' and then I was all like 'but Jason, I love you!' And then he just hung up!" Gina started wailing again and blew hard into her tissue.

"Can you believe the nerve of the this guy?" Avery scoffs.

"Gina you deserve way more than a guy who does not appreciate you," Madison gives Gina's hand a squeeze.

"Madison is right, Gina. You need to dry your eyes, and get over this guy. Jason's just lucky he doesn't live here, otherwise we would all go burning down his house and wrecking his life," I say, confidently.

Gina smiles, and even laughs a little. "I am so lucky to have friends like you guys. I just wish my love life was perfect, like you and Jack."

"Gina sweetie, listen to me. No relationship is perfect. Even Jack and I fight sometimes," I lie, trying to give her a bit of hope. "It's really just a matter of... Finding someone who makes you happy."

"You are so totally right," Gina sniffs, wiping off her shiny nose.

"Of course I'm right. Now go downstairs and tell your mom that we're all sleeping over tonight," I order.

"You are?" Gina says confusedly.

"Yes, of course we are!" Madison pipes in.

"You didn't expect us to just leave you alone all night after all you've just gone through did you?" Avery adds.

"I guess..." Gina says.

"So go!" I point impatiently at the door. Gina laughs and leaves the room.

Authors note: Hey guys. I know you must be rolling your eyes at Bonnie's basic personality right now, but that's just how she is at this point in her life. Bear with me, it will get better.

Also, the picture at the beginning of the chapter is of how I envision Bonnie