A Story to Remember

Chapter 25 It Starts Here

Gavin-

Watching Chelsea and Zach in an ongoing staring contest to see which one of them will break first is intense. They’re both amazing actors, true, but their eyes give away all their bottled emotions. “Gavin, Austin. Can I talk to Zach alone?” Chelsea asks without taking her eyes away from Zach’s gaze. Austin nods, probably knowing that she wouldn’t see him and heads to the door. I follow shortly after. As soon as the door closes behind me, I hear Chelsea’s muffled voice.

Austin sits down on the steps to the trailer before standing and pacing the length of the trailer. Neither of us saying a word to each other.

Chelsea and Zach’s voices not even audible through the trailer wall, and they’re sheet thin. Austin freezes mid-step looking as if he’s desperately trying to hear what’s going on inside. “Help me know she’s okay.” Austin whispers to the sky, before his pacing begins again. I stay rooted to the steps of the trailer. Tomorrow night’s scene running through my head.

Scene 18

Savannah: “Jake,” her voice is quiet. They’re shooting in the hotel, or I guess it’s the bed and breakfast where our families are staying. She’s sitting across the coffee table from me as we play cards to see who gets her book. She looks up from her cards. “I don’t understand.”

Jake: I look up from my cards and start explaining the game to her, “Well, it’s simple really. You have to get pairs and-”

Savannah: “Not the game. You. I don’t understand you.” She says looking slightly embarrassed as she places two pairs on the table, “Out of all the girls at your high school who would’ve given anything to just ride in your car, you picked me. I just-”

“ZACH WOULD YOU JUST LISTEN TO ME!” Chelsea’s voice breaks into my thoughts. I look over to Austin who’s once again frozen mid-step.

“Chelsea,” Zach’s voice rings clear, “She’s denied it so many times.”

“Didn’t you see her eyes when she first answered the door and saw us?” Chelsea asks her voice desperate, “She was shocked to see us.”

“Yeah, because two strangers were at her doorstep” Zach fires back and then everything goes back to the way things were before they became friends again, “And these two strangers claimed that she was someone she wasn’t.”

“She was lying to us Zach!” Chelsea’s voice breaks and becomes inaudible again.

“I can’t take much more of this.” Austin mutters sitting on the wheel guard of Chelsea’s trailer and hangs his head. I head over to him, but pause when I hear him praying, “Lord, thank you for our safe journey here to Finland. It’s a beautiful country. Chelsea is hurting now; I know she’s still grieving over her missing friend and that she blames herself for the disappearance. Please give her comfort and the peace of mind that she needs for the disappearance. Let her know that it’s all in your hands. I feel so helpless because I can’t help her. I’m doing all I can, but I know it’s not enough. What you can do for her is more than enough. Lay your hand on her and heal her broken heart. Amen.” Austin sits up and smashes his head into the trailer, “Ow!” whispers rubbing the back of his head with his hand, “Stupid stupid stupid.” He mutters as he begins pacing again.

Chelsea’s trailer door opens. Austin darts to the door and I stand at my spot. Zach and Chelsea walk out of the trailer. By the looks of things in the dim light of the twilight, Chelsea’s been crying.

“Are you okay Chelsea?” Austin asks his face filled with a worry that I can’t even begin to explain. She gives a weak nod and gives him a hug. He wraps his arms around her and breaths in the smell of her hair.