Malfunction (A Googleplier Fanfic)

Seven.

"Have they found him yet?" The worried friend asked as she held her Nexus to her cheek.

"No. They're claiming that it was a break-in of some sorts, but they don't know how or why it happened." Matthias explained. She could hear his strained voice on the other side of the phone, and it pained her to hear him that way.

"Matthias, I'm really sorry." Googleplier looked at her with confusion upon hearing her conversation, earning a glare from the girl as she sat on her couch.

"They'll find him. I know that they will." His voice choked up as he spoke, causing his tone to crack. Rather than make fun of him for it like she usually would, she felt genuinely concerned and upset for his state.

But Googleplier simply couldn't understand the worried look on her face. She didn't know the missing person, so why was she faking her concern? She couldn't have been that upset about some stranger's disappearance.

"Matthias, I am always here for you." She promised, a shy smile gracing her lips as Matthias sighed on the other end.

"I know that you are. You're such a good friend, (Y/n). I hope that you know that."

Her heart flipped at his words. It wasn't too often that she got praised and appreciated by someone other than her family members.

"I... Thanks." She shyly answered, a light blush decorating her cheeks.

"Make sure to come and see me before you leave tomorrow, alright?"

It had been close to two weeks since Mark's disappearance, and there didn't seem any evidence as to what happened to him. Although she wanted desperately to help her friend, she knew that her time would be limited. Her visitation to China was approaching.

She rubbed her hand across her forehead, the reminder making her head hurt.

"Crap... Yeah, I need to start packing. I am leaving tomorrow, after all."

"Always the last minute procrastinator.." Matthias joked, his soft, meek chuckle causing her to lightly smile. At least he could still make a joke.

"Hey now. That's uncalled for." She retaliated, earning an airy chuckle.

"You know that I only joke. But seriously, don't leave without seeing me soon, okay?"

"I would never leave you behind like that." She assured, gaining a hum from the other line.

"I sure hope not. I don't want to lose two friends...."

Her demeanor switched as she nervously began to tug on her shirt, trying to think of something to say in return. How was someone supposed to address that?

Luckily, Matthias seemed to feel the atmosphere grow tense because he quickly changed the subject.

"Don't worry about me, (Y/n). We're going to find Mark. I just know it. And he has way too many fans to leave behind for them to not notice. They have to realize that he's gone by now, or at least admit that he's on hiatus."

"How long has it been since he's uploaded?"

"Actually... that's a good question."

His voice fell silent, and she could only assume that he was checking his YouTube notifications. But a shocked gasp from his end caused her panic to pick up, instead of reassuring her theory.

"What is it?"

"He uploaded.. a day ago??"

"What? How is that possible?" She asked, feeling even more confused than before.