SOS: Ship of Secrets✔️

18- Josie

The three of us ran downstairs, nearly knocking down several staff members.

Rocco saw us running and joined us.

"Why are we running?!"

We finally reached the gift shop. I led them to the aisle with the most expensive gift baskets.

"I'll tell you later. Everyone grabbed a basket."

We hurried to the counter and I swiped Malcolm's card on the portable card reader on the counter.

It flashed red and beeped loudly.

"I'm sorry. Your card was declined for insufficient funds."

"What?"

"Your card was declined for insufficient funds."

"He turned it off.", Jesse said defeatedly.

We all walked out the store.

"What was that about?", Rocco asked.

"He isn't even the least bit worried about me.", I whispered. I felt my lip tremble.

"No, Jo.", Rocco wrapped his arms around me.

"He's an ass. You're too good for him."

"How are we going to get home?"

"We'll figure it out.", Jesse said as he kissed my forehead.

Lilly grabbed my hand.

"We're going to be okay."

We heard three bells ringing.

We all headed to our rooms.

I immediately laid face down on the bed.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Yeah, I've heard that before."

I giggled and turned around.

"I haven't heard you laugh in a long time.", Rocco said as he sat next to me.

I looked at him.

"I looked for you."

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"When you disappeared, I searched for you. I printed missing flyers. I knocked on doors. I checked all of your friend's houses. I stalked your social media until it said your account was deactivated."

"I needed to leave, Rocco. My best friend slept with the love of my life. I couldn't stay there."

"I know it's irrelevant now, but it was a mistake. I was drunk. Nina was drunk. She felt terrible about what happened. She missed you. She didn't know why you left and al-"

"She knew why I left."

He cocked his head to the side.

"Nina was my best friend and she was yours. I told her everything. She knew we were together. After I left, I went to her house. She apologized."

"Did you forgive her?"

"No.", I said as I shook my head.

Rocco nodded slowly.

"Nina never told me she saw you."

"I told her not to tell anyone."

"Can I ask you something?"

I nodded as I sat up in bed.

"If I never cheated on you, would we be together right now?"

I looked up and met his gaze.

"I'm sure you would've found another way to fuck up."

He laughed.

"You're probably right."

I smiled.

"Before we were together, we were friends. I wouldn't be against being your friend again, Rocco. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too. I would love to be friends again."

He opened his arms. I smiled and wrapped my arms around him.

I felt a familiar sense of calm. I felt safe. I felt comforted.

I pulled away and lied back down.

"So, catch me up. How have you been these past few years?", I asked.

We were interrupted by two bells ringing.

We immediately got up and went to the lobby.

Once we got there, we saw someone sitting on a chair with a bag over their head. Muffled screams were coming from them.

Rocco and I hurriedly tried to remove the bag as the others entered the lobby.

"Who is that?", Lilly asked.

"We don't know."

We managed to get the bag off their head and I found myself looking into the eyes of my former best friend.

"Nina.", Rocco and Joey said in unison.