The Constant

Chapter 13

BEA POV

"Why can't you just trust me with the truth?" 

That sentence just kept ringing over and over again in my mind. I couldn't tell him the truth about what was going on. That I was moving in with Heath and his wife and kids while Dad went to rehab. 

I was embarrassed, and it was too hard leaving Ryker. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. But I knew I had to do this for Mom. She didn't want me to stay in our house while Dad was gone. I had no idea what was going to happen when he got out. I think they were getting divorced but she had yet to say anything. 

I mean it wasn't too bad living here, Heath's home was beautiful and Mom seemed less stress, but I missed Miranda, and I really missed Ryker. 

RYKER POV

I hadn't slept a full night since Bea left. 

It didn't make sense, any of it. 

I approached Miranda at school and she wouldn't tell me anything. I just needed to know where she was and make sure she was okay. Nothing seemed the same without her and her fun personality. 

She completed me and was my better half. Without her, I felt lost. 

BEA POV

Mom was going to register me for school soon but was letting me just adjust at Heath's for a couple of days. Everyday felt foreign and weird. Sure I loved Heath, his wife was lovely, and the kids were adorable but I didn't feel at home. Of course it wasn't my house, but I felt like I was missing a part of me. 

Mom went home yesterday to clean the house and make sure my dad gets to the treatment facility. But we kept in touch every day, there was someone else that didn't. 

Ryker hadn't contacted me once since that afternoon I said goodbye. I felt like a part of me was missing. Did he forget about me?

I know I blindsided him that night when I told him I was leaving, but I couldn't help it, I had to just rip the bandaid off or else it would have been more painful, if that was even possible. 

It was my senior year. It was supposed to be a time of college applications, senioritis, senior pranks, prom- not of me being shipped to another state to live with my older brother while my Dad goes to rehab again.

Christmas was just a week away. Normally I was ecstatic as I loved Christmas and the season leading up to it as the best time of the year. But this year everything was different. No tree lighting ceremony downtown. No getting hot chocolate and exchanging presents with Ryker the in the afternoon of Christmas day. 

It was all gone just like that and I'd give anything to come back home and see Ryker again. 

I felt more alone than I'd ever felt in my entire life. 

RYKER POV

It had been a couple of days. Long days. But I decided that I was going to find her, I needed to see her again- I had to. 

Mom kept a watchful eye on me because she didn't want me to go over to Bea's house and talk with Mrs. Turner because she was already going through a lot. But well, I was too. I needed my best friend back. 

Mom went to the grocery store and just a few minutes later Mrs. Turner pulled up in her driveway. 

I quickly jogged outside to her. "Mrs. Turner!" I yelled. 

She looked up at me. "Oh hello Ryker, how are you?" She asked softly. 

"I'm not my best to tell you the truth." I told her. 

She looked tired, like she had aged overnight. "Well Ryker I feel the same way." She said sadly. 

"Please Mrs. Turner. I'm begging you. I need to see her." I spit out. 

She hitched her purse farther up her shoulder and avoided eye contact with me. 

"Please." 

She sighed, "Okay! You got me. I know she misses you too so I will give you Heath's address. She could really use a friend right now." She said. 

My heart hurt knowing that she was hurting. "Thank you Mrs. Turner, really." 

She smiled and cupped my face. "Come on inside. I'll give you Heath's address and phone number." 

I followed her inside, I was going to go and see my best friend again.