Serendipity

Chapter 20

Everyone left after a little while and I went and took a shower, and then I sat in the sauna, and then I took another shower, and I washed all my clothes, and now I'm sitting on the couch in a pair of black sweatpants and a white tank top. Mom and Dad did whatever, but I cooked dinner and the three of us ate, and it's the next morning.

It's raining here and I'm sitting at my window, staring outside.

I hear yelling from somewhere in the condo.

Frowning, I get up, wandering out of my bedroom and into the living room.

"-fucking kidding me! This is horrid!" Mom say, outraged.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

She's sitting with the news on.

"-Southampton got the worst of it. The streets were caked in multiple feet of water, homes were flooded, or destroyed, cars are underwater, and the Schuler mansion is destroyed."

It goes to live footage.

"Authorities are looking for the injured, or the bodies of people who have passed away. Tyler Cerda, who's parents are the CEO's of Microsoft, was reported missing by his family almost two weeks ago. Blake Koller, who's parents are the CEO's of Amelia Schuler's company, Warner Bros Studios, was reported missing, along with his wife, Delaney Koller. They are currently searching the Schuler household for bodies. With no word for any Schuler, including Carmen and Shaun Schuler, we're hoping to find a body , or something, to give us closure on where the Schuler family is. We have reason to believe that Blake and Delaney Koller, and Tyler Cerda, are somehow involved in where the Schuler family has gone. Rumors are circling that Carmen Schuler and Tyler Cerda are in a relationship. Since Blake is Tyler's best friend and Delaney is Carmen's best friend, we think they were all together when they disappeared. We're just hoping none of them are hurt. Let's go to Michael for the weather."

Dad scoffs. Mom mutes the TV, livid.

Sighing, I dial Delaney.

She picks up first ring.

"Dude, did you see the news just now?" she asks.

"Yeah! You need to call your in-laws. They probably think you're dead."

"Blake's already on that. Did you phone Tyler?"

I hesitate.

"No."

"Why not?He's your fucking boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend, Delaney."

There's a short pause.

"You motherfucker, you don't even have his phone number, do you?"

I sigh.

"I'll handle Tyler. I gotta go."

"Alright, bye, you fucking skank."

"Bye, you filthy whore."

I hang up.

Mom is already phoning Southampton police to vouch for her, Dad, Shaun and I.

I sigh.

"I'm going to dress, I gotta go to Tyler's." I announce.

Mom nods at me, talking on the phone.

"Drive carefully." Dad warns, looking out the window at the pouring rain.

"I will." I say.

I go to my room and shower again. I blow dry my hair and let my curls be natural, and then I pull on a black sundress with daisy's on it. I put on a light brown hat on, and a white knitted sweater, and black sandals.