That One Girl

Chapter 7

***Sorry for no update yesterday, guys! I'll try for a double update today - I should have the time.

Also, the Coliel-specific stuff for this chapter doesn't come until Seliel's POV. Cole's POV is essentially the aftermath of what happened in Chapter 6.

AND this is the only chapter with a flashback that does not appear chronologically - you'll figure out when it is by the context.***

***(Cole's POV)***

Seliel and I have been searching for Nya all day, but nothing's panned out so far. We're just now getting back to the monastery at 8:30 in the evening. I need dinner, and then I need answers. Probably in that order – I'm not much good without food.

"Sorry I ruined your day off," I sigh, unbuckling my seatbelt and climbing out of the earth drill.

Seliel smiles sympathetically. "It's okay, Cole. I can be your shoulder to lean on – as long as you're wearing deodorant, that is." She flashes her teeth at me in a smile.

I can't help but find what she says a little humorous. "Thanks, Sel. It means a lot." Hands in my pockets, I come around to the driver's side of the vehicle and accompany her inside the monastery.

The first thing I hear is Kai's angry yelling. "What do you mean, I can't report a missing person until twenty-four hours after they're gone?!"

"He must be on the phone with the police," Seliel realizes.

"It's not like she's entirely missing, right? I mean, Jay knows where she is, and once we get him to crack, things will be a piece of cake." Oh, I could use a piece of cake right about now.

"I'm not cracking, Cole," Jay says from the couch.

"Oh. Hey, buddy. I didn't realize you were in here." I come to sit beside him on the sofa, pulling Seliel along with me by the hand.

"Stop talking to me just to get answers out of me," Jay grumbles.

"That's totally not what I'm doing." I am a liar. "Um, I just wanted to know...how you're dealing with all this."

"How am I dealing with all this?" He laughs humorlessly. "Nya would still be here, if it weren't for you! She wasn't going to run away until Kai and Skylor's wedding – she promised me – and now, she's just gone."

"I'm sorry, pal. I really didn't mean to let things slip, I just..."

"You just what?" Jay sniffles.

"I probably shouldn't have told Kai everything while we were all so emotional." I pat his knee. "And I'm sorry for that."

Jay's shoulders sag. "I get it. Secrets like that just kind of eat you up inside, and it feels so good to finally have them off your chest."

"Secrets like that, huh? You mean like...where Nya's at right now? Because I'd be happy to hear that secret."

Jay abruptly stands. "I'm going to go talk to someone who actually understands me."

"Like a phone call with Nya?"

"She left her phone here, idiot." He moans miserably. "I'm going to go talk with Mr. Cuddlywumpkin." And with that, he leaves.

"Jay..." I say, stopping him in his tracks.

"What now, Cole?" His tone is hard.

I release a breath. "I really am sorry for what happened this morning, okay? I should've tried to relate to you a little more. Maybe the conversation I tried to have with you would've been better if Nya were around." If she would've even let me talk about it.