Ariana's pov

It's been 5 days since Christmas. Mom and dad are still not back. Cole and I talk sometimes in texts or calls. I have not seen him since Christmas. Meg is also busy with her family gatherings and stuffs. Cole and Tiffany asked me to stay with them until my parents are back but I denied. You never know when my parents will be back and I don't wanna be a burden to anyone. Cole and I got much close in these past few weeks. I talk to him a lot, he understands me and I feel safe when I am around him.

It's 11:30 pm now, 30th December. I am laying in my bed facing the ceiling. Day after tomorrow I am turning 18. Won't mom and dad be here even for my 18th birthday??

My phone's ringtone brought me back to reality from my thoughts. It's mom. I sighed as I accepted the call.

"Hey sweetie." My mom said from the other end.

"Hey mom." I replied.

"Honey, day after tomorrow is your 18th birthday. My baby's growing so fast." She said in an enthusiastic tone.

Ohh , so she remembers.

"I have a special gift for you. Go and open my drawer, you will find a box. That's your present but don't open it until your birthday ok. Your dad and I will be home on your special day." She replied.

"You will be??" I asked not so excited. I don't wanna get my hopes too high to get them broken again.

"Yes, our flight is tomorrow. I will see you sweetie, Bye." She replied.

"Bye mom." I replied and hung up.

I stood up from my bed and walked downstairs. I went to my parents room and opened her desk drawer. There is a big box wrapped in silver paper. I wonder what is it. I took the box with me to my room and put it in my closet. I went back to bed snuggled in my blanket.

I don't know what to do anymore. I am tired, tired of waiting, tired of expecting, tired of believing. I am tired of myself. I feel empty, like there's nothing in me. No, I am not upset, I can't even feel the pain. I am tired of thinking they care, I am tired of waiting for them to care. I always tell myself ' it's ok, it's going to be ok ' but do I believe it myself ??

I always dreamed of a perfect family, my parents and me together but it never happened. Do they even know me??

Do they know I cried to sleep when I was in 5th grade because the boys in school used to bully me. I tried to tell them but they were too busy to listen. Do they know??

Do they know I have nightmares every night about the same thing since I was a kid. Do they??

Do they know I used to take sleeping pills in middle School cause I couldn't sleep. Do they??

Do they know sometimes I have panic attacks and I feel like I am gonna die. The world around me seems to be collapsing, I feel numb, unable to move. Do they??

Do they know I feel like I have some unfinished tasks to finish. I feel like someone needs my help. I hear them calling for help every night. Do they??

Do they know I cry to myself cause I feel alone, I feel broken, I feel unwanted. I just wanted to feel that they care about my existence.

Am I asking too much??

I love them, I love them a lot. They are the only family I have after grandma's death. I love them soo much and I know they love me too. Or do they?? I like to believe they do.

But it doesn't matter. I doesn't matter. Meg was the only one who was and is there for me always. I used to just share my life with Meg before Cole came.

Cole Stevens, the arrogant jerk. When I first met him I hated him, he was rude and arrogant but as I started talking with him I realized it's not that. Behind his walls there is a boy who cares, who loves. It took both of us sometime to break down our walls for each other and I guess we are half way through it. He's much open with me now and I love that. I share everything with him and he even knows what I don't share. How?? I don't know. He was there for me when I needed someone. I am happy to have him in my life. He makes me feel wanted and I can't ask for anything more.

Just one more day, one more day. I am turning 18 day after tomorrow. New year's eve, my 18th birthday.

Next day....

I woke up to my phone beeping with a new text message. I unlocked it and saw the time. It's 9:00 am. The message is from mom. She texted me that she and dad are leaving for the airport and will be here by 1:00 in the night. At least they will be here for New year and my birthday apparently. I smiled as I stood up to go and freshen up.

I took a shower and changed into a oversized mustard jumper paired with my black skinny jeans. I ran downstairs to grab my coat and keys and went out. It's a beautiful day, it's not snowing but the streets are covered with snow from last night. I walked towards the cafe with my headphones in my ear playing "perfect" by Ed Sheeran. I walked into the much warmer and cozy cafe. I ordered a cappuccino and waffles and took a seat near the window. I looked out the window taking a sip of my coffee. I feel void.

"Can I join you??" His voice brought me back to reality.

I looked up to see those same piercing blue eyes staring at me, the eyes I am still trying to figure out. Cole is standing in front of me with a hot chocolate in his hand.

" Yes you can." I replied smiling at him.

He smiled and took a seat opposite to me.

" So tomorrow's the big day huh?? Turning 18?? Excited??" He asked taking a sip from his mug.

" Yeah I guess. After all I am turning 18, I should be excited. My parents are also coming back." I replied trying to sound as excited as I can but I guess I failed.

"You don't seem so." He replied looking at me with worry.

I just sighed.

"I don't know but I am scared Cole. There's something, I can't shake off the feeling. I feel like everything's gonna change." I replied looking at him.

"Changes are not always bad Ari." He replied looking at me.

I feel lost in them, the same way I felt before. Like these eyes know something, like they know a story.

My phone ringing brought me back from my thoughts. It's a unknown number.

"Who is it??" He asked.

"I don't know. It's a unknown number." I replied looking up from my phone at him.

"Pick it up. It can be something important, right??"he replied.

I nodded and picked it up.

"Hello??" I said.

I feel numb as I listened to the person at the other side. I can't move. This can't be true, it can't be.

I dropped my phone and I guess it's broke, but I don't care. I can't think, I am frozen at my spot. I can hear Cole saying something but I can't listen, I can't hear anything as the person's word keeps on repeating in my ears.

" I am sorry to inform you that the flight your parents were in crashed. We haven't found any information about the passengers or the pilot's condition but we're trying. Stay strong."

Hey guys, Thank you so much for reading this chapter. I hope you liked it.❤️❤️ My exams are finally over so I will try to update as much as I can.😊😊 I love you all to the moon and back.❤️❤️❤️❤️