A Story to Remember

Chapter 24 Night in Finland

Gavin-

“One of us should go after her.” Zach says his head down not moving from the floor. “And I have a feeling she doesn’t want to see me, or talk to me.”

“I have to go call the Stonefields and Kelly to tell them Chelsea’s phone’s out of order.” Austin says, “And let her brothers know what’s going on.”

“That leaves me doesn’t it?” I ask already knowing the answer, “You two go ahead and eat. If we’re late getting back, don’t wait up. I'll call you around eight if I can’t find her and I'll call you if I can.” I tell them.

“Keep us posted.” Zach says I nod my response, shrug into my sports jacket, and head out.

On the streets in an unfamiliar town in a country where no one speaks your native language. You might find yourself at a loss.

“Chelsea!” I call out on the main street of the town, “Chels where are you!” If I lose my voice because I’m out in the middle of the night where it’s about 21 degrees outside it’s on her. “Chels!” This would be so much simpler if she had her phone. “Chels!”

My phone beeps twice alerting me of a text

Austin: Any luck?

Me: No, and I’m having a hard time asking for help

Austin: Its official Finland sucks!

Me: Agreed, how’s Zach holdin’ up?

Austin: Worried but he’s hangin’ in there

Me: G2G keep looking

Austin: Good luck

Putting the phone back in my pocket I see a familiar figure slip past me. “Chels!”

The girl turns around, “I’m sorry?” she says, a heavy Finnish accent apparent, “I think you have me confused with somebody else.”

“Are you Serina Frederickson?” I ask.

“Why, yes I am. Would you perchance be looking for Miss Stonefield?” she asks.

“Yes, have you seen her?” I ask.

“She was just by the water fountain, over there.” Serina points to the fountain, “But she walked off with a young lad just moments ago. They walked that away,” she points across the street to a diner.

“Thank you.” I tell her heading in that direction.

“Mister,” she says stopping me, “Would you tell me, what connection to Miss Stonefield you have?”

“Coworker and friend,” I answer as we go our separate ways. I head inside and realize it’s not a diner, but a pub. Chelsea is sitting alone in the back corner looking down. I sit down across from her.

“Chels, you don’t realize how worried the boys and I were.” I start. She looks up startled; I guess I should’ve let her know I was here first.

“Gavin,” her voice is surprised and she looks around before ducking her head down and hiding behind one of the menus, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to get you,” I answer as if it wouldn’t be obvious, “What are you doing here? In a pub. Alone.”

“I was sitting by a water fountain outside a few minutes ago when Blake and Brice walked by. Blake brought me in and bought me dinner,” she explains.

“Where is he?” I ask her looking around.

“Talking to your producer.” She answers; she does a quick look around, before standing, “What part of ‘I need to clear my head,’ Wasn’t clear that I wanted to be alone?”

“Leave Blake a message. Zach, Austin, and I were worried, are worried. You shouldn’t have gone off alone like that, not where less than one-sixteenth of the population speaks our native language.”

“I don’t need to be watched over like a runaway puppy.” She fires back at me, “I know how to take care of myself.” She stats for the door, but I intercept her by grabbing her wrist. "And for your information, I can speak a bit of Finnish"

“Chels,” I start, “Just come back with me.”

“No.” she answers, “Why should I?” she asks.

“Because you’re our friend. Because we care about you.” I tell her, why is she being so difficult? “Finally because if you don’t come back with me, we may never see you again.”

“A little dramatic don’t you think?” she says her voice dripping sarcasm. I'll pretend that didn't hurt like heck. I’m making progress, I think.

“It comes with the territory.” I shrug, “Please Chels just come back.”

“No. I’m tired of everyone treating me like a skittish pup,” she says, “I’m going to my trailer, I'll see you tomorrow.” She walks out and doesn’t even stop to see if I follow her, which of course I do.

“Chelsea!” I call after her.

“Leave me alone Gavin!” she yells back, her voice harsher than I've ever heard, even harsher than when she was speaking to Zach before she left for the streets. The tone catching me off guard enough that she slips off into the night, but this time; this time I know where she’s going. I shoot Zach a text.

Me: Found her. She won't come home. She’s heading to the filming camp.

Zach: we’ll meet you there. It’s time for me to talk some sense into her.

Me: If I beat you, I'll hold her there.

I sprint off to the set and the gates locked when I get there. Chelsea’s trailer light is on. She’s here, but how did she get in? Zach and Austin join me at the main entrance of the gate.

“The whole thing is locked,” Austin, says tugging on the main gate lock. “How did she get in?” he asks.

“Caden!” I call out and the set’s security guard looks out, “Can you let us in?” he nods and unlocks the gate. The three of us race in and rush to Chels’ trailer. “Chels!” I knock on the door.

“Chelsea Stonefield!” Zach pounds on the door with his fist, “I will break this door down if you don’t let us in by the count of five.” He tells her, for some reason, I have a feeling he will.

Chelsea-

Why am I not surprised that they followed me? I’m they’re little lost scared puppy. I can’t go anywhere without them following me. “Go away Gavin!” I tell him getting as far away from the door as physically possible in my small trailer.

“Chels, I’m serious.” Zach’s voice rings through the door, “Let us in.”

“I’m serious, Go Away!” I tell them, “I’m not your lost pup anymore. I can take care of myself.” Having arguments through a door is better in the movies. It’s not made for real life.

“Chels, I'll give you five seconds to open this door.” Zach says, “Five… 4… 3… 2…1” Zach hits the door and it flies open. He massages the feeling back into it and looks me in the eye.

“What don’t you three get about the phrase ‘Go away’?” I ask them backing away from them.

“When it’s my best friend, and they’re in a state of mind where they might do something they’re going to regret, ‘Go away’ means ‘I want help’.” Zach answers, “I think you’re forgetting how well I know you.”

“And I think you're forgetting that you don’t have to watch over me all the time anymore.” I counter, I immediately regret it when I see his reaction, “Zach, I’m not Sarah.”

“I know that Chels.” Zach answers quietly, “I just can't bear to lose you.” He takes a step toward me, but I step back to counter his action. I lock my gaze on his and see all the anger, pain, grief, and disappointment in his eyes. I’m just making it worse. If there’s one thing Zach and I still have in common, it’s that both of us are still grieving over our missing friend.