Finding Dylan

Chapter 1

"I'm worried about Dylan," Tanner said.

"What now?" Quentin asked.

"He hasn't opened any of my texts in a week."

"Maybe he just needs some space."

"I've been texting him 'I love you' and 'I'm sorry' every day since we broke up. He opened every one of them until a week ago."

"Maybe he got tired of reading them."

"He still loves me."

"I didn't say he didn't."

"Have you seen him? Or talked to him?"

"Not recently. I think he's mad at me."

"For what?"

"I was the reason he agreed to go to college. I wanted to have someone to go with, so I talked him into it. And then I left him there alone."

"Dropping out without telling him on the last drop day was kind of a dick move."

"It was your idea!"

"Yeah, I'm full of dick moves. Especially when it comes to Dylan. How could I hurt someone I love so much so badly?"

"I don't know."

"So you haven't talked to him? Did you apologize?"

"Yeah, he said it was OK, but it's Dylan. He always says that."

"Dylan doesn't hold grudges. If he said it's OK, it is. Call him."

Quentin picked up his phone. "Call Dylan Mitchell."

The phone rang once and went straight to voicemail.

"I think his phone is off."

"That would explain why I haven't been able to locate it."

"You tracked him?"

"He's on my plan. And I told you I was worried about him."

"He's probably just crashed at home. He sleeps a lot."

"Yeah, especially when he's depressed. But his car's not there."

"You drove by too? Maybe he finally took it to a shop. I gave him your message. About fixing it."

"And he was still driving around with saran wrap for a window a week later. He hasn't used my credit card at all the past month. Even though I specifically told him he should. I mean you did."

"Obviously he's trying to make it on his own. Now that you're not together."

Tanner slumped in his chair. "He shouldn't have to. He should know I'm not going to hold it over him. And we are getting back together. Someday."

"Is that what this is about?"

"No, I swear, I'll give him all the time and space he needs. I just need to know he's OK."

"Have you tried asking anyone else?"

"I'm afraid to talk to his family."

"I would be too if I was you. What about Logan?"

"Great idea. You ask. I'm not sure how he feels about me either."

"Fine." Quentin sent a text to Logan: "Have you seen Dylan?"

"No but I'm with Kyle right now," Logan replied.

"He hasn't been answering for a few days, maybe even a week."

"I'll ask."

-

"Hey Kyle, what's up with Dylan?"