AIM [FIRST DRAFT]

Chapter 3: Home Sweet, Home Again

Stefan took Aimee back to the stadium. He pulled the car over where Emma, her parents and a search squad were waiting. Stefan helped Aimee out the car, and they walked arm in arm toward Emma.

"Emma!" yelled Aimee.

She unhooked her arm from Stefan's to go give her friend a forever-long hug. The Lincolns joined in.

"We were so worried about you!" all the Lincolns said in unison as they moved apart.

"And the search squad sucks," mentioned Emma. "They took their own sweet time to get here and still wanted to wait like twenty-four hours until you were officially a 'missing person' and I was like "she isn't here is she?" Missing!" she rolled her eyes.

"I'm glad to see you too," chortled Aimee. "My parents didn't even show up," she mumbled for Emma's ears only.

"They don't know, we told them that we were all at Kirkwood's house," explained Emma.

"Oh," Aimee frowned. "I'm so sorry you missed it."

"Nah, that's okay," smiled Emma. "So where were you all this time?" she queried.

Stefan walked up from behind Aimee and put his hand on her shoulder. Emma stuttered as he greeted her.

"Hey handso-Stefan," she mixed her words.

Aimee scoffed silently with her hand over her mouth. "These are Emma's parents," she giggled. "They're practically my second family," she introduced the three.

Stefan greeted everyone with a smile and a handshake, but soon had to bid them all farewell. No one wanted him to leave, but he was called over by a policeman and asked for an ID, driver's license and registration. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wallet. Like a law-abiding citizen, he gave them what they asked for. Meanwhile, Mr Lincoln offered to drive Aimee home. She kindly refused, but walked them back to their car anyway.

"So glad you're alright," whispered Emma, a smile on her face. Aimee gave everyone a hug and thanked them for their concern.

They climbed into the Mercedes, buckled in and left.

Aimee waited for the Lincolns to depart before turning back to Stefan. She stared at the officers who spoke to him. She could not tell what they were saying, but she felt as though she needed to know. In an attempt to get closer to the conversation she was stopped by the chief of the LAPD.

"Aimee Griffiths," he addressed her. "I cannot allow you any further than this point. Your friend over there is being questioned and we don't need any interrupters or influencers."

Before Aimee could speak, the chief called an officer toward them. He ordered the man to take Aimee to his cop car and return her belongings to her. The officer placed his hand on Aimee's back and walked her over to the vehicle. The officer let her in the car. He gave her a warm blanket and all her items from the locker room, before leaving.

Aimee sat quietly in the backseat, wrapped in the blanket she had been given. She put her hand in her pocket and took out her most prized possession; her iPhone. She thought to call Molly and Clifford. Dialling Molly's number she waited patiently for her to answer the call, but it went straight to voice-mail. Aimee rolled her eyes and dialled Clifford's number, but his phone was also off. Aimee was slightly worried, but she would not make a big deal out of it; their phones were usually off.

"What do they even have phones for?" she asked herself.

She put her phone in her pocket again. Aimee heard tapping on the car window. She looked up to see Stefan waving at her with a wide grin on his face. He opened her door and informed her that they were permitted to leave. He held out his hand and helped her out the car like he had before. Aimee smiled. She tossed the blanket off of her body and clutched her carry bag in one hand and Stefan's hand in the other.

"You need a lift home?" he asked.

"Please? If it's not too much trouble," she shamed.

"Of course not," he gestured her to his car. "Let's go."

They waved the search squad goodbye and Stefan drove away. He was in a much better mood than before. He smiled and spoke to Aimee on the way as she shouted out the directions to her house.

"Sorry about today," apologised Stefan.

"What do you mean?" enquired Aimee.

"You were kidnapped, asked questions for that stupid file, we worried your friends, and you missed that party at your coach's house all on your big day," he said.

"Big day?" she replied. "Being with you made it better," Aimee's cheeks reddened as she realised what she had just said. "I mean, well, uh -"

"It's okay, I feel the same way," he assured her. "I mean, well, uh," he joked.

After a moment of silence, Aimee's cheeks returned to their natural colour. She was eager to ask: "What was all of this for anyway?"

"I'll tell you on Monday, okay?" he promised. "Left or right?"

"Right," pointed Aimee.

The car eventually reached the Griffiths' abode. Stefan parked the car in their driveway and stepped out. Aimee got out on her own before Stefan had reached her door.

"Sorry," she said.

"It's alright," he laughed and stared, impressed by the scenery. "Double story."

Aimee smiled. Stefan walked her to the front door and knocked.

"So I'll see you at school?" he asked.

"Yup!" she grinned.

Stefan held her hands in his and wished her goodnight. His face neared hers; she was not sure if he was going to kiss her, like the boy usually did in all the movies, or if there was something on her face. Her cheeks turned bright red yet again. He was going to kiss her rosy cheek, but Molly suddenly opened the door, stopping him in his tracks. Noooo! Aimee thought. They all shared glances.

"I'll be on my way," coughed Stefan.

"No, stay," Aimee clutched onto his sleeve.

She tried to introduce the two, but Stefan pulled away, shook his head. He had to say goodbye. He ran to his car and before Aimee knew it, he was gone. And Molly pulled her inside.

"I thought you were supposed to be at Liam's house, not out with your boyfriend," remarked Molly.

"I was, and he's not my boyfriend," stated Aimee. "I don't even have a boyfriend!"

"He sure looked like it," glared Molly.

"Well looks can be deceiving, Moll, and he -" she was interrupted.

"To your room," paused Molly. "Now, Aimee!"

Aimee was staggered by how unnecessary Molly was acting. Aimee shook her head and marched up the stairs. She brushed her teeth, washed her face and put on her pyjamas. She went to her bedroom and procured her diary from under her bed and sat down to pen down the day's events:

After dotting her 'i's and crossing her 't's, Aimee put her diary back, daydreamed about Stefan Buckley, and turned off her bedside lamp. She climbed into bed and waited to fall asleep, hoping Stefan would be waiting for her in every dream.