Jessica's POV.

We have been waiting impatiently for any kind of news. It's been already two days since that horrible accident and we didn't know anything about Ella's condition. Every time when we ask of her, the receptionist would give us that usual answer that no one is allowed to meet her except her relatives. I didn't get it. We were her friends and her parents knew about us then why were they shutting us out. Why won't they allow us to meet her? We were worried sick about her and would visit thrice a day to the hospital but still won't get any news.

This all was very suspicious. We hadn't also seen Xaiden since he ran into the corridors to look for her and after that, he didn't show up. This all thing was a mess. Our one friend was nowhere to be found and another one, we don't know whether she was alive or already...

No! What am I thinking? She must be fine. I know she is.

She will be here with us again.

She has to...

"Jess? Any progress about Xaiden's whereabouts or Ella's condition?" Sara entered into the waiting room and questioned the usual question from the last two days and likewise, I simply shook my head without uttering a single word.

She let out a sigh and I knew this was the sigh of defeat. We both were feeling defeated right now and didn't have a single idea of what should we do. This whole situation was a mess and with every passing hour, with every passing second, our hopes shattered inch by inch. Our parents were starting to blame us. They weren't happy with the thought of us visiting the hospital every two hours. They believe if Ella's family didn't want us there then we shouldn't be here. But despite her parent's ignorance, we couldn't help but still hope to get anything from her side.

"Hey!" We turned our attention towards Jack who had just come. Our eyes lit up with hope but that mere second hope shattered when he slightly shook her head.

"I am sorry, guys. I have been trying my best to look for him but there isn't a single sign of him. I visited the school's office to get some information about his home address but the address that they have was of no help." He sighed and gave us an apologetic smile.

"It's not your fault." My lips curled up in a cracked smile but the heaviness in my chest never leaving.

"Did you visit that address?"

"Yes, I did. But that place was on rent. It was empty, " Jack replied to Sara's question while I sit still.

"That means he had shifted somewhere else."

"I am afraid not. Their neighbours say this house hasn't been rented since last year."

"Oh."

Now Sara was quite and for a moment we all didn't utter a single word. We don't know what to do next. It's been the same for the past two days. All the information provided by the school office about Xaiden was nothing but fake. His number was out of reach and there was no way of contacting him. This all situation was like a labyrinth with no exit. We all were locked up in it and we couldn't find our way out now. A whole load of questions was jumbling in our head and they all started from one thing.

Who exactly were Xaiden and Ella?

What dark secrets they hid behind their mask?

And how were we going to find the answers?

What exactly this mess was?

My head ached every time I think about this. This all was a mystery without any key. We don't know why Ella's family was not allowing us to see her. We don't know why every second a bunch of bodyguards would come and go. We don't know who was the one who hit her. We don't know how Ella was doing in there. We don't know anything and that was the most painful thing.

"I didn't get it. Why Xaiden lied and why give a fake address? And why ain't he showing up. Doesn't he love Ella? Or...." Sara paused and then exclaimed in horror and then said the most idiotic thing, making me jerk up.

"What if Xaiden is the reason behind Ella's accident?"

"What? Are you crazy? He won't do something this reckless. He loved her. No... I don't think of him that low. He's a nice person. He won't hurt a fly and let alone kill someone? No. I don't buy it." I waved my hand up in the air and shook my head. I won't believe this crap. I have seen the love he had for Ella in his eyes. He cared for her and he could never hurt her.

"I know. But Jess! Sara here is making sense. Who would run away at this situation if he's not the culprit? Why gave a wrong address and why disappear without a trance? It's like puzzles that are fitting together."

"No Jack! He won't do this. He can't... He-He loved her... He cared for her...I-I-..." My tears choking up my throat on this horrible thought. My words stuck in my throat and my ears not agreeing with what they were predicting. I knew he couldn't do it. He was surprised to know about this accident. His eyes were bloodshot and a trench of revenge was seen in his eyes. But this hatred wasn't for Ella but was for that ass-whole who tried to kill Ella.

"Jess! It's just a thought. We are not saying it's true. But... anyone in this situation would think this way."

"Anyone but not us! Any stranger but not their friends! I know he won't do something this despicable." I shouted defending him, defending their love as a tear ran down my cheek. I knew deep down my mind was having these false assumptions as well but I trust him. I trust them.

I trust their love...

I buried my head in my hands as tears continued to roll down my eyes. I was afraid of losing my friends. I was afraid of losing someone important to me. I couldn't afford another loss. I was not stronger now. She already took away half of my strength. I couldn't lose more. I wanted them all back. They meant a lot to me now and I didn't want to lose them. I wanted us to laugh, to enjoy and to saviour these golden memories together.

Was this too much to ask?

"Jess! Don't worry. At least we are here for you." Jack held my hand, sitting beside me as I simply nodded. He tried to lit up my mood, like always and gave me a small ray of hope that everything wasn't finished.

"I should take you home now. You have been here since morning," Jack said but I shook my head.

"No! I'll wait." I refused. I won't be leaving.

"Jess! Sara is here and she'll inform us. Let me take you home, you haven't slept for two days."

"How do you know? I have been sleeping well." I retorted. He was right. I was up all night wondering how Ella would be doing. Whenever I would close my eyes, those time spent together would play in my mind and on having the fear that I might never see her again, gave me sleepless nights.

"Your face says it all." He smiled and if we hadn't been in this mess. I might have admired his smile but right now I didn't have the time for it.

"I won't go." I crossed my arms and standing up from the chair, went towards the vacant couch.

I won't leave today unless I get to know something about Ella's condition.

Not this time...

Jack's POV.

"She won't leave. She's so stubborn," Sara said as soon as Jess went towards the couch.

"Why? She should rest." I was worried she was going to fall ill. She hadn't been taking care of her since that accident. She won't even eat something. Whenever we'd bring some food, she'd decline, saying she didn't have an appetite.

"It's not your fault. She just doesn't want to lose her another friend." Sara smiled as my eyes widened.

"Another?"

"Actually when we were in middle school, we had a friend. Her name was Ayla. She had blonde hair like Ella's and her facial features were also mostly like Ella's, except she had short height and had black eyes with a cute button nose. We all were besties but Jess bonded with her a lot. Jess never had a sister and I believed she saw her as her sister. They had the same interests and I must say, I did get jealous of seeing them together so close." Sara sighed looking towards Jessica as a smile made its way to her lips. I guessed she remembered something from the past.

"And then?" I asked to know more about the incident that made Jessica so afraid.

"Well... We were in seven grade when Ayla and Jess got into a fight over their favourite serial. It was their first fight and a silly one. I tried to solve the issue but they won't crack the ice in between them. It went like a week. Both ignoring each other and not talking."

"And that's how she lost her?" Curiosity was getting the best of me and I wanted to know what actually happened.

"No, it was just a fight and I believed, it won't go on for more than a week. I knew everything would be fine in one or two days but..." She sighed as her facial expression changed to a sad one. Her forehead creased as her eyes showed pain and I knew what was coming next.

"On Monday, when we went to school, Jessica waited for Ayla so she could apologize to her. Jess couldn't hold it anymore but she didn't show up. Later our teacher told us that Ayla and her family got into an accident last night. Their car was hit by a truck and no one survived. Jess was a mess back then and it was really hard to bring her back to herself. The most regretful thing for her was, the last thing they did was fight and I believe sometimes these memories and this thought haunt her." Sara sighed as we looked in Jessica's direction.

"Oh." I couldn't say anything as my tongue was tied up. I didn't know that behind this cheerful, happy and mischievous girl, lied a girl who was once broken.

"When we entered high school, we met Ella and I believe Jess found Ayla in her. The last time Jess and Ella had a fight, she felt really bad and couldn't hold herself but to apologize. She was afraid that she might lose her too. But now her fear is changing into reality with every passing second, every passing hour. With every passing day, she's becoming more afraid, and she's very scared of that," Sara paused. "So, don't push her, she won't listen to you." Sara smiled as I gave her a nod. I stayed there for a minute trying to absorb this new information.

"Anyways, you two are here so I'll go. I have to pick up my little sister from my grandmother's house. Let me know if you get any information."

"Ok! Take care." I gave her a hug as she smiled.

"You too and also take care of her for me." She winked before turning to leave. A smile crept on my lips unknowingly as I shook my head at her words.

I will...

I made my way to where Jess was and saw her head placed on the backside of the couch as her eyes shut. Her breathing was steady and slow and I could tell she had dozed to sleep. I gently sat beside her and carefully placed her head on my shoulder so she won't wake up. I brushed her stray lock of hair behind her ear and stared at her sleeping face. I didn't know the story behind this sweet girl. She went through a lot but never let her show us.

She was indeed a strong girl...

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Did anyone see another ship sailing? ;)

Never knew what Jessica has been through. Poor girl. Did you ever lose someone precious to you? How you felt that time? If comfortable, share your feelings.

Sorry for the late update...

I was busy with my exam but don't worry, I'll update faster now.