finding you

forty five

It's been almost a week since I've seen or even talked to Rhys. To say I am a bit concerned is an understatement. I'm worried about him. Apparently he's talking to Nial and Ashton so I know he's okay. Physically, anyway. But Ashton won't tell me anything else just that it was family stuff. I can understand that, but I've texted him once asking if everything was okay and he hasn't responded. I know he has texted Nial and Ashton, so the fact that he can't even send me a little text saying everything is okay honestly hurts my feelings a bit. I know we're not that close but I care about him now. Regardless if we're together or not. 

My phone rings and I hesitantly pick it up. "Hello, Ronnie."

"Theo? Are you ready? I'm at your house. You said you'd come to the mall with me."

I groan into the phone. "I know... can you just come in for a bit? Let's have a coffee first. I'm so tired."

"Bloody hell." She hangs up and I hear her come through the front door after a few seconds. It takes her a moment to realize that I'm still downstairs.

"Theo, it's almost noon. What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing. Just tired today." I sink deeper into the covers, pulling my comforter so it's almost covering my face. 

"You're always tired. You're going to get depressed like this."

I want to laugh at her choice of words. Ronnie, you have no idea still, do you.

I hear her sigh and she joins me on the bed. "Is this about Rhys? He's in Atlanta dealing with shit. He's not texting anyone."

I say nothing and she sighs again. 

"He only texted Ashton like once, T. I'm sure he didn't mean to ignore you. I think something went down with his brother. That's what Nial thinks."

"What did Nial say?"

"That Salis probably went off the rails again. I don't really know what that means but I'm assuming it's about drugs. Everyone knows what that guy was like."

Salis was always known for being a bit of a wild child in high school. I didn't know him because I was still in middle school when he graduated, but everyone still knew about him. He was very popular. I probably wouldn't say this to Rhys's face, but I'm glad he didn't turn out like his brother. I know Rhys dabbled in some drugs here and there but nothing to the extent that Salis was at. 

"Yeah, but I wouldn't go around talking about it. God, Brooke has that already covered and it's bound to come back and bite her in the ass if she's wrong about things."

I tense and pull the covers down. "Brooke? Why the hell would she be talking about it? How would she even know?"

"I don't know. She doesn't- she can't. There's no way. She's just being a bitch because she's obsessed with Rhys so she acts like she knows everything about him."

I try to believe her. I do, mostly. I don't know how I would feel about Rhys telling her things and not me. I think that would truly hurt me in a bad way. I think I know him enough that he would never do that. I don't think he likes her very much. 

"Don't worry, Theo. Okay? He'll be home soon and tell us everything. All we can do is let him know that we're here for him and that we're worried, and you did that. He will come to you when he's ready."

"What if he went to Brooke instead." I don't know why that just came out of my mouth. I sound irritated. Maybe I am.

"Theo, smarten up. Seriously?"

"What? It's not the craziest theory, Ronnie. It's been like two months since I've been home. They were together before I got here, right?"

"Okay... hooking up with someone here and there is not the same thing. It's not the same as what you two- "