SOLACE

twenty-six

       He didn't even bother to hide it from me anymore like he always did before. It was me picking up the shells from the sand. I didn't know that's how I looked like in his eyes.

"Can I see them?" I timidly asked. I was afraid he wouldn't let me because maybe it's personal for him. He finished drawing first before he gave the sketchpad to me.

I looked at the drawing he just did as I flipped through the pages backward and stare at it in awe. I thought it was just one drawing that had me in it but I had several more.

It also had when I was drawing him and when I was taking an afternoon nap. The other one is when I was watering the garden and when I was reading a book on the ledge and lastly, actually the first one, it was when we were at the park. When I saw he was drawing the landscape of the park, on the other page was a quick sketch of me reading a book.

"How come I never even caught you and why do you always draw me?" I asked, while my lips were still parted.

It was a mixed feeling of amusement and surprise. I can't believe I was really unaware of him when he draw on his sketchpad.

"You were my favorite subject," He softly says as he gives me a small smile. It just makes me want to kiss him again.

I avoided his eyes as I hide my smile and look back to his sketches again. I didn't noticed the time passed by when we finished all our snacks, did childish drawings on the sand and the failed attempt of making a sand castle. It was a day well spent, indeed but I had to go home.

I didn't receive any texts from Kai which worried me a little but then he's always like that. I sent a text before we left the beach and asked him if Mom was home already and he didn't replied.

It was already dark on the way back home and we just settled with the comfortable silence. I didn't realize I fell asleep, I was just surprised when Henry was nudging me and telling me to wake up.

"Hey, we're here," He whispers.

I rubbed my eyes as I release a yawn and looked outside. We were at the front of our house already. I opened the door and took the stuff I brought with me. He helped me carrying my stuff until we reached our front door.

"Thanks again for today. I hope you enjoyed it too," I say as I gave a shy smile to him.

"I will forever remember this day," He whispers. Before he could even leave, I grabbed his wrist and gave him a light kiss on his lips. I was about to pull away but he holds my nape and parted his lips, making the kiss deeper.

"Take care, Henry," I giggled, which shocked me because I sounded flirty. He chuckled before removing his hand on my nape and leaving our house. I waved at him when he reached to his car.

When I entered the house, I expected Kai would be at the door waiting for me but he wasn't there. The whole house was quiet, not even mom was home and it made me suddenly have a weird feeling in my gut.

This wasn't the first time I was left alone in the house but it really had an eerie feeling today and I don't even know why. I quickly went up the stairs and checked his room, he wasn't there. His room was a mess.

I rummaged through his stuff and wondered if he left his phone, it wasn't here also. Which means it's with him. I kept looking but I only found a tool box that was locked. It was heavy but it didn't make a noise inside.

I left his room after that and continued to send him messages. I don't even know what my gut feeling was telling me but I got scared. I kept calling but it always says it couldn't be reached. He never turns off his phone.

I sat on the edge of my bed, agitated. My head was running through any possibilities on where he could be but it only just proved I really didn't knew anything about him. I have no idea where he goes or who he hangs out with. I was beyond clueless. He was always out of the house but not like this.

I stepped in the shower to clear my thoughts but it did nothing but make worry me more. I always trusted my gut feelings. I couldn't even ask anyone about Kai because they'd just wonder why I would ask in the first place and I don't want to make an even bigger mess than it already is.

After changing into a maroon pullover and grey sweatpants, I laid down in my bed as I stared at the ceiling. I tried ignoring the feeling that something bad happened to him. I didn't know for how long was my eyes wide open but I shot up from my bed when my phone rang and it was from an unknown number. I didn't even hesitate to answer.

"Is this Adeline Roberts?" A female voice asked.

"Yes, It's me. May I know who's this?" I eagerly answered. My foot was nervously jotting up and down as my palms started to sweat.

"This is from the hospital, we have a patient named Kaiden Williams who have you as his emergency contact, can you please come in as soon as possible?" The female, who I assume is the nurse said.

"Okay, just let me know where," I tried to answer calmly after I stuttered. My lips quivered as I cried silently.

My mind kept repeating that Kai was in the hospital. I was dumbfounded. I couldn't process the information in my head and I didn't know what to do first. I was very worried on what could be the possible reason that Kai was in the hospital.