Running Free

Chapter 9| Never Tell

~Attached song is Cold by Jorge Méndez~

Noah

I stood in shock, watching as Mia's figure traveled farther and farther away, becoming simply a speck in the distance, leaving Fay and I helpless and utterly confused.

Why did she run? Where did she go?

I picked my head up and glanced cautiously at Fay. "Did I say something wrong?" I whispered solemnly, biting my lip as anxiety flooded my insides.

Fay returned my bewildered look, an unrecognizable guilt etched onto her usually composed, calm face. She doesn't respond, only continued to stare at me. Her eyes seemed oddly pleading, as though trying to make me understand. I didn't.

"What?" I questioned desperately, puzzled as to what I could have possibly said that would've hurt Mia to such an extent. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I continued to push the matter, begging for answers.

Fay sighed, bowing her head and closing her eyes momentarily. "Jack was—is—her brother. To be honest, I don't know Mia's outlook on their relationship anymore, so I couldn't tell you. But biologically, they are brother and sister. The three of us used to go to school together back in Ohio before—" Shock mixed with guilt washed over her expression. "Nevermind," she hurriedly cut herself off, leaving me even more dumbfounded than before.

I thought Toby was her only sibling, so why hadn't she mentioned Jack? Why would she need to hide her other brother?

Without hesitation, I blurted, "Before what?"

Fay shot me a bothered glare, clearly irritated that I'd pushed the matter further.  "I said, nevermind. I should never have even mentioned anything," she mumbled with a shrug.

"Before what, Fay."

I felt bad for acting pushy, but I knew I needed to know more. I couldn't leave it here—not now. If there was something that Mia wasn't telling me—something important—then I needed to know.

"Noah, I know you're a good guy, but I can't tell you. It's not my story, or secret, to tell. It's Mia's. Please, don't try and make me choose between you and her, because I'll choose her. Alright?" Fay gave me a small smile, one that I knew was forced.

I hated how this was going. Did Mia not trust me enough? Did I make her feel uncomfortable? Did she feel like she couldn't talk to me?

"Fine," was all I could muster.

Fay placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, sensing how uneasy I was. "Look, it's not you. Mia isn't mad, so don't worry. Just know that she's had a rough time. She doesn't have it as easy as people like me and you do."

I knew what she said was to make me feel better, but the only thing it did was make me feel worse.

"That's what you think," I whispered from underneath my breath.

Thankfully, Fay didn't hear me. "What did you say?" She asked indifferently.

"I said I figured."

Nice save.

Focusing back to the to the topic, I hastily changed the subject. "Should we try to find her?" I ask, shoving my hands in my pockets.

"It'd probably be best not to. Let her figure it out and when she's ready; she'll come to you."

"But what if she-"

"She won't."

****

Mia still hadn't returned yet, leaving Fay and I to split and going our own separate ways. With my music blaring in my ears, I jogged back to my truck as the clouds above me began to cry, their tears soaking and seeping through the plaid blue and black flannel I was wearing. Little by little, puddles grew over the pavement and my reflection was passing me within each step I took.

Though Fay told me not to go after her, I disobeyed her words and slammed the truck door shut as I climbed inside and drove towards the direction in which Mia fled. After hearing what Fay had to say about her, it'd be wrong of me to leave her. She shouldn't be left alone, because all it does is make you feel worse.

Believe me, I know.

Not caring about my interior or my dashboard getting wet, I rolled down my window and hollered Mia's name, as if I were expecting her to show up in front of me. Five minutes and 15 circles later, there was still no sign of Mia - or Toby.

Still not giving up, I parked my truck next to the sidewalk and removed my phone from my back pocket.

Me: where are you???

[read]

Me: I know you're there. can't ignore me forever

[read]

That girl: stop trying to find me

Me: how do you know what's what I'm doing

That girl: because you're truck has been driving around in circles for the past ten minutes

Me: this isn't funny

Me: where are you

That girl: not telling

Me: fine have it your way. but can I at least get a hint

That girl: I'm up high

That girl: you're trying too hard

It was at this point that I decided to leave the conversation at that. I figured if she won't directly tell me, there was no point in wasting even more time that could've been used in finding her.

But what did she mean by, 'up high?' Certainly she's not in the clouds. There aren't any monuments nearby for her to climb too.

Climb.

She can climb trees.

I bet that's where she is.

****
This chapter is so cheesy smh