«Madeline's POV»

That morning, Flynn didn't pick me up for school. I knew that something was wrong immediately. He wouldn't ditch me like that, would he? I was forced to run to school, because if I walked I would be late. And if I was late, I would get into even more trouble with my father. I ran into my first block literally as the first bell rang. I texted Gaige asking if he had seen Flynn, but he didn't respond.

So much for that. In second block, I didn't see Flynn. So I waited to towards the end of the class to see if he would show up. He didn't. So I texted him. And, he responded. Apparently, he was on the plane to go see his dad. When did he make that decision? He should've ran it by me. I could've talked him into not going. I had a really bad feeling about this.

At free period, I finally returned to the old retirement home and apologized profusely for not showing up for such a long time. The manager told me that it was fine, that I had never missed a day since I got the job, that I deserved time off. I thought otherwise. I told him that I would work free of charge this week, but he downright rejected my offer.

"You need the money, Madeline." He told me. "I refuse to let you work free of charge."

"Thank you, sir." I still worked more time than I should have, but left fifteen minutes to go visit my grandma.

"Hey Madeline!" She exclaimed when I let myself into her cottage. "I haven't seen you in forever!"

"It's been too long." I agreed, and pulled her into a tight hug. "Oh Grandma!" I cried. "I don't know what to do!"

"How about we sit down and discuss it over some hot chocolate?" She suggested, and we did just that.

After we finished settling down into comfortable positions by the fireplace, she asked, "Any updates on Mr. Flynn Blaise Chaste?"

"That's what this is all about." I told her.

"Spill." Grandma leaned forward, ready for the fresh gossip. "I also have tissues if you need them."

"I might need them. But, I'm really worried about him. His mom died about a week ago and he hasn't been acting the same. I can tell that he's trying to, but I know that on the inside he's slowly breaking down. I don't think he can handle it. His dad cheated on his mom when he was nine, and he hasn't been a part of Flynn's life since then. But now, Flynn decided to fly over to Connecticut to see him. He didn't even notify his dad, or anything. He just up and left. And I'm really scared for him, because...I-I think that I might be falling for him. Hard, Grandma. I think that I'm falling really hard and I can't help it."

"Aw, sweetie." She pulled me into a warm hug and handed me a tissue. "I'm sure it will end up fine. As long as you stay by his side and help him through it-"

"That's the thing. I've been trying to help him. I've been trying to get him to open up. But he refuses to. He insists on getting through this by himself, and I don't think he can. He needs someone to be there for him, and he keeps pushing everyone away. Even his best friend. He had a break down at the hospital--his friend told me. And he passed out when they told him that his mom had died. I really don't think he's okay, even though he says he is. And that scares me."

"Look, Maddie," She said, and I flinched when she said the name. "We all go through our fair share of losses, and we all handle them differently. Some of us take longer to heal than others, and some just shake it off. Some of us pretend like we're okay, and some do the exact opposite. Just remember how you felt when your mom passed. Now do you see why Flynn might be shutting everyone out? Isn't that what you did too? And I know that you are still affected by your mother's death. Don't even try to argue. I know. You flinched when I called you Maddie. That was the name that your mother called you. You don't let anyone call you that, do you?"

I shook my head and she continued, "Just give him a little time, and I'm sure things will turn out just fine."

I gave her another hug and stood up. "Thanks, Grandma. That really helped a lot. I have to go now, though. I'll call you soon. And visit."

"Okay. See ya, baby girl. I love you."

"I love you too."

I jogged back to school and completed the rest of the long, long, ENTIRELY TOO long day. But seriously, the three hours I had left felt like three hundred years. I itched to text Flynn, but he hadn't texted me saying he arrived, so he probably wasn't there. I thought that the flight was only supposed to be like three and a half hours, but maybe they decided to make a quick stop somewhere. Or maybe he just forgot to text me. I decided that if he didn't text me by nine o'clock, I would text him first.

I worked late that night. I sat and waited until every last person was gone. I didn't want to go home. I didn't want to see my dad. I didn't want to make dinner. I didn't want to do the dishes or the laundry. I couldn't; I wouldn't. I refused. But I guess it was a good thing I stayed late because I never would've seen the news. I was cleaning up after work and sat down to take a break. Staring up at the television, I wasn't really processing anything, just overcome by worry.

I was about to change it to like ABC or Disney or whatever when something caught my eye. CENTRAL CITIES AIRLINES PLANE CRASHES IN WEST VIRGINIA was flashing across the screen. I felt my breath catch in my throat. Flynn was on Central Central Airlines. OH NO OH NO OH NO OH NO. I freaked out and started to listen to the story.

"A few hours ago, around one, flight 7742 of Central Cities Airlines was losing altitude. The pilot lost control of the plane, and it crashed right around Weirton, West Virginia." The lady reported and pictures of the plane were broadcast on the screen behind her. It was total wreckage. There was no way anybody survived that. Totally panicking, I pulled out my cheap phone and checked my messages with Flynn. They weren't loading. I needed to check to see if that was his flight number! If it was, I didn't even care what people said; I was going up to Weirton to see if Flynn was alive. He HAD to be okay. He had to.

I threw the crappy phone across the room in frustration and screamed. This NEEDED to load. I ran over to where it landed and checked the screen. The texts had finally loaded. I scrolled up a bit and gasped, tears jerking to my eyes. His text said, 'Yeah, it's flight 7742 (Central Cities Airlines).' I sank down to the ground and rocked back and forth. This could not be happening.

I tuned back in as the reporter announced, "There were two survivors of the crash. There were extensive injuries and they are currently hospitalized."

I didn't even stay for the rest. I picked up my phone and ran out of the restaurant. I had to see if Flynn survived. But how was I supposed to do that? I guess I should drive up there, since I definitely couldn't afford a plane ticket. The only problem was, where was I supposed to get a car from? Unless I had a fairy godmother, this wasn't going to work out.

Suddenly, I remembered the day when I went over to Flynn's to work on the project. He forgot his house key in the car and didn't feel like going to get it so he fished the spare key out from a concealed spot in the front wall. You just had to press in the section and it would slide out so you could get the key. I could use one of Flynn's many cars to reach Weirton.

I ran and ran until I reached Flynn's neighborhood. I looked around at some of the houses. They were insanely cool. But some of them looked more like castles than houses. I reached Flynn's house and stealthily climbed over the gate. I scanned the front porch and located the concealed tile. I pushed in, and out slid the key. I inserted it into the lock and entered the house. It looked like a tornado had hit the inside. There were several holes in the wall, and a knife through an expensive painting on the wall. Flynn. He had done this. Flynn. I thought, and almost started crying again. I had to suck it up though. He wouldn't want me to suffer... I think. Even though he teased me almost every day, he would never want anyone hurt.

Sitting on the kitchen counter was a Mac. I looked up the directions to Weirton, West Virginia and found that it was about a five hour drive. I would arrive around two in the morning. I printed out the directions and tucked them into my back pocket.

Somehow finding my way to the garage, I picked out the car with the highest mileage and got in. The keys were located in the visor. I revved the engine and opened the garage door with the remote that I found hanging by the entrance. I exited the garage, closed the door, and took off.

This was going to be a long night.

I thought that it was going to be hard to stay awake, but I kept going. I had to do it for Flynn. I had to see if he was alive. I had to see if he was okay. I didn't know what I was going to do when I got to the hospital. Was I supposed to just bust in there and demand to know if he was alive, or wait it out? I had a feeling I was going to go with the first option. I glanced at the clock; it read 12:53 AM. I still had about an hour to go.

I decided to pass the time by calling my grandmother. Without even pausing to consider the time, I dialed the number and pressed call.

"Hello?" She picked up the phone a few moments later, her voice groggy.

"Oh, Grandma!" I exclaimed, suddenly tearful.

"Madeline? Is that you?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"Sweetie, what's wrong?"

I sobbed. "Flynn's flight crashed."

I heard her gasp. "Were there any survivors?"

"Two." I answered as tears streamed down my face.

"Come on over, and we can get through it together." Grandma suggested.

"Actually, I'm on my way to the place where the plane crashed to see if Flynn was one of the survivors." I informed her, still sniffling.

"You're WHAT?!" She exclaimed.

"I'm in West Virginia, and headed towards the place where the plane crashed." I repeated.

"How did you get there? You guys don't have a car, or enough money to buy a plane ticket." She pointed out.

"I, uh... I borrowed a car."

"From where?" She inquired, and I could just imagine her raising her perfectly sculpted eyebrow to look at me in doubt.

"From... Flynn's garage?" I phrased it like a question.

"So you broke into his house and took one of his cars?" Of course that's what she got out of all the things I said.

"It's for a good cause! And I didn't break in, I used the key." I told her with a smug smile, even though she couldn't see me.

"Okay, whatever you say."

"I'll keep you updated." I pulled off of the highway and into a small town that you could cut through.

"Ok. Love you."

"Love you too." I hung up, and checked the clock. It read 1:04 AM. It had only been ten minutes? But the good news was--I realized--that I was ahead of the game. I was making great time, probably because nobody else was crazy enough to be driving this late. Plus, I was speeding on the highway--by a lot.

According to my directions, I was only ten minutes away. Which I didn't mind. Well, depending on the turnout I cared. Whether it was good or bad; that's what it depended on. I zoned out as I made the last few turns and saw the WELCOME TO WEIRTON, WEST VIRGINIA sign. I sucked in a deep breath. This was it. If he wasn't alive, I didn't know what I'd do.

I looked at the other sign located behind the last one and saw that the hospital was 0.7 miles to the left. I, in turn, sped to the left. I could barely breathe I was so nervous. I parked in the spot closest to the building that wasn't handicapped. I stepped out of the car with shaky legs. I wobbled my way up to the front door. I swung it open and stalked in.

I marched right up to the front desk. The woman looked up at me with wide eyes. She put her coffee down and asked, "How may I help you?"

"I need to know the two names of the survivors of the plane crash that took place today." I ordered. "Like, now. Please."

"And how are you of significance to the matter?" She inquired.

"I'm--or, was--the girlfriend of one of the passenger on the plane." I lied through clenched teeth.

"Oh," She sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll look them up now."

"Thank you." I murmured.

"The survivors of flight 7742 are Gary Clark and..."

A/N: Flynn or nah?

OH AND WHAT I ENVISIONED THE CRASH TO LOOK LIKE IS TO THE SIDE-->

literally I'm so sorry for the worst cliffhanger ever but I had to do it bc yolo

18 votes to the next chapter--ik it's a lot but it's been done before! also don't be a silent reader [comment 'spicy bananas' if ur still reading this] I've always wanted to do that haha...but the next chapter will be earlier if we get it to 18 *wink wink*