My feet shift underneath the table.
"I don't know what to get? What are you going to order?" Avery asked me.
"Um... I'm not sure yet. Maybe the enchilada?" My eyes shift down the menu, but I'm not reading it.
"I think I'm just going to get some cheese quesadillas," Avery said. I nodded, without much emotion. "So did you finish the essay for Mrs. Puckett's class?"
I slightly nodded my head.
"Are you listening?" she asks again. I still can't seem to pay attention. "I'm thinking of dying my hair completely orange. What do you think?"
"Nice," I mumble.
"Okay, what is wrong with you? You haven't been paying attention to anything I've said. Are you mad at me or something?" Avery looked at me with her pleading eyes.
"N-No, it's not your fault, Avery. It's just-" I start.
"It's what?" she asks, slightly louder.
"Nothing. Let's just order," I say trying to change the subject. She looks at me as if she's trying to tell me something more, but she eventually agrees to drop it.
We order and make small talk throughout most of the night until the end. She starts playing with the ends of her hair as we wait for the check and I start to think of Gabbie. I can picture her sitting in the seat across from me. She would twiddle with her hair and laugh at my jokes as we ate way too many chips and salsa. It puts a smile on my face until I remember Gabbie isn't the one sitting across from me.
I try to shake the thought from my head and tune back into the conversation I was pretending to have. The waiter brings the check, and I offer to put my card down. She insists on going half-and-half, and I agree, just wanting to leave. She starts doing the math, and I stare blankly at the candle between us. I watch as the flame dances on the wick and moves back and forth when the door opens.
Once she decides on a price, I lay down some cash and wait for the server to return. She continues with the small talk, and I've never hated it more in my life. I just don't understand why people feel the need to talk all the time. There would never be a pause in conversation if I were here with... But. I'm not. I sigh and take the receipts from the waiter. Signing the slip of paper, I pass her the pen. Her hand lingers, and I can tell it's intentional, but I make no sign of affection back. I lean back in my chair, examining other things in the restaurant.
She finally stands up, and I rise as well. I place the napkin on the table and start walking toward the door. She follows closely behind and tries to intertwine her fingers with mine. I gently pull away and put my hands in my jacket pocket. "It's kinda cold out here today," I try to say to cover up the action.
"We're in California in September. Unless you think 69 is cold..." she trails off, sounding a little hurt. We walk to our cars, parked next to each other. I move to get in when she cuts me off. "Aren't you going to kiss me goodnight?" she remarks.
"Oh, uh, sorry," I mumble. I lean over and peck her on the cheek. I climb in before I can hear her response and shut the door. I see her walking away, shaking her head. I shrug and start making my way home. As I turn on the engine, I see Avery look at me, clearly hurt. I shift my glance and back up. As I'm driving home, I ponder the night and start talking to myself.
"What is wrong with me? Why would I push Avery away like that? God, I'm so stupid," I mumble. Everything seems to be going wrong in my world as I pull into my driveway. I walk in and don't address my mom, who was waiting on the couch. I take a step on the stairs, and I wait for my mom to call me back down.
"Zane? Zane, sweetie, can you get back down here? I need to talk to you," she says sweetly. I sigh and turn around.
"What?" I ask quietly.
"How was your night?' she asked me.
"Mom, I've had enough small talk for the day. Can I go?"
"Honey, we're worried about you. We think you might need professional help." I have no idea how to respond to that. Does she want to take me to a therapist?
"What? Why would I do that? Do you think I'm going insane or something?" I asked, my voice steadily rising.
"Honey, you've been so distracted lately. You're pushing away your friends, your family, and your girlfriend. I can tell that Gabbie's disappearance is bothering you. Just talk to me," my mother steps closer to me.
"Yeah mom, yeah I'll talk. What part do you want me to talk about? Do you want me to tell you how I saw her hair dye and blood splattered across her bathroom floor? Or should I tell you about how everybody looks at me like they care in the halls, but then they continue to hand out party invitations to everyone but me? I see her, mom. I see Gabbie. But I know it's not her. It can't be her. But I so want it to be her. Is that a good enough talk for you?" I say as I storm up the stairs.
I can't imagine how her parents are taking this. When I get upstairs, I have multiple missed texts from Avery. But, I can't handle dealing with this right now. I shut my phone off and crawl under my covers. I close my eyes and try to wipe the image of her from my eyes. Wherever I look, she's there. But, she's not. Enveloping myself in darkness, I push all other thoughts from my mind. I start to fall asleep, but she's everywhere. I can't even escape to my dreams.
AN: heyyyy. i decided to post an extra chapter today off schedule because it's GABBIE'S BIRTHDAYYYYYY. HAPPY BDAY BB! don't forget to vote and comment. also THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 300 VIEWS. your support means everything to me <333456
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She's Gone
Fanfiction"'David, Gabbie can't be next,' I said, my voice breaking. He pulled me into his chest, and I broke down sobbing. 'She's not safe,' I wailed. He stroked my hair, knowing there was nothing he could say."
