FATE

64. The Emerald City

BROOKE

"So, anything?", I ask.

Carmen shakes her head, "no, I'm sorry"

I sigh, "it's fine", I say, "how are you?"

"I'm good, I guess", she says, "I miss you"

"I miss you too"

It's been a long three weeks for me

Seattle would have been fun to explore, if I actually wanted to be in the city in the first place. For the first couple of days after i got here, my mom and I were alone and thankfully, she understood how mad I was at her so she stayed away for a while. Everything changed when Phil arrived.

Phil has been in Australia for a couple of months and my mother had plans to go live with him. I'm not exactly sure why she didn't do that but at the same time, I do not really care. Phil is tall, brown haired and brown eyed. For his age, he looks so good that it's not hard to figure out why my mom can't seem to stay away from him. Nonetheless, i still think he's annoying. He's also pretty built and that's because he's athletic. I don't know what Phil does for a living or how he makes his money but he seems to have a lot of it to spoil my mother with.

When Phil arrived back in Seattle, my mother decided for all of us that bonding was essential. We eat breakfast and dinner together. Sometimes, she makes me come out of my room to sit on the couch and talk to them. These conversations usually only involve the both of them and I just speak when spoken to but that's because I'm usually lost in thought- thinking about him.

It's been three weeks and I haven't heard anything. I took Blake's advice and asked my mom for a new phone. She was more than willing to get it for me- and when I had it all set up, I called him but he didn't pick up. Everyday, since then I've left messages and called but still nothing from him.

I don't know if I should be worried. Hailee and Francis aren't picking up or replying my messages either. The only people I talk to are Carmen and Mandy.

According to Carmen, when she got to Jonah's house on his birthday, he wasn't home and so she hung out with Hailee until later that evening. On days when she tried to see them after that, Hailee's been 'ignoring' her and she's noticed Jonah's house has been deserted too.

"Is Hailee talking to you now?", I ask Carmen.

"No", she says under her breath, "she keeps on making excuses and saying she's busy- "

I bury my face in my arms, "something is wrong with Jonah"

"Brooke, don't- "

"No", I look up at her face on the screen, "it can't be a coincidence. Jonah's not calling or texting back. His best friend and cousin are doing the same", I say, "something is up"

"Well, maybe he's just angry about the fact that you left"

"Without giving me a chance to explain?", I ask, "Jonah wouldn't do that. He only withdraws himself when something tragic happens- like when Hailee had the accident"

"You think something bad happened?"

I nod, biting my lip, "I have to go back to Boston"

"Have you spoken to your brother?"

"He's still working on it"

Blake has had three interviews in the past week so he's been too busy to call or text. Before that, we spoke every day since I got a new phone. I miss him so much and it's only been three weeks- anymore and I might run crazy.

"I have to go now. Talk later?", Carmen asks.

"Yeah sure, bye"

"Bye Brooke"