Chapter's song: Send my love by Adele

I never got to ask him about it. He got an emergency call and had to leave. He didn't even stop to tell me anything about it. I wasn't sure if he would have. Although, isn't that the sort of things couple do? Ugh. I didn't want to dwell too much with the answer.

Either way, he got the call right after we'd sat down in front of the bonfire. He was telling us how to prepare the fish directly on the bonfire when his phone rang. Several times. At first, he ignored it, but when he excused himself and took it out of his back pocket to silence it, he saw the caller's ID and walked away to take it. Tom took the lead and we finished the fish. I was sprinkling fresh herbs on mine when Bryan reached Tom and pulled him apart. I tried to follow them with my eyes, to no avail.

He never came back.

I don't even know how the hell did he go back home. Or wherever he left.

Tom just said that Bryan had a personal emergency and had to leave. I wanted to ask him more, but after his talk this afternoon, I didn't feel like I should.

After dinner, I checked my phone for a text, message or whatever, but there was nothing.

I tossed around the sleeping bag all night thinking about it.

Where the hell was he? What happened?

The same questions played in my mind through the rest of the weekend, and I couldn't wait to go back home.

The rest of the weekend passed painfully slow. I couldn't play through the rally or do anything because of my hand, and after learning that Monica and Andy were sleeping together, well, it felt weird to be around them.

Thankfully, we took the bus back home the next day after noon. Everyone was drained, but happy at the experience of camping. Everyone but me. I couldn't help but feel as if a gray cloud was hanging above my head all the time.

I was exhausted when the bus finally stopped. "Do you want me to take you home?" Andy turned to me. He'd been adamant to seat by me.

I shook my head. "Thanks. I'll take a cab."

"Come on, Jess. I'll take you." He moved away, stopping the whole line behind us so I could pass. A series of groans were heard across the bus.

"Sorry," I murmured as I hurried to move faster. "You didn't have to hold the line for me," I said a bit annoyed at Andrew, even if he meant well.

"Anything for you, Jess."

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my backpack. I just want to go home.

Monica stepped out of the bus right at that moment. "Jess, let him take you. You look like a raccoon, chica."

We stared at each other for a moment, a silent conversation flashing through our eyes. She knew that I was worried, that I felt left out, and that I hated it. She tilted her head, and passed an arm around my shoulders. "Get some rest, hun." My shoulders sagged. Exhaling slowly, I nodded.

"I'll see you tomorrow, right?" She squeezed my arm before turning to Andy. "Be nice to her." I smiled. She sounds like a Mom.

Andy pursed his lips, glaring at her. "Yes, Mom."

Ignoring him, she leaned closer to me. "Everything is okay, Jess. Call him."

I pulled away, with a heavy heart. Call him? And what should I say?

Andy got us a cab. The driver was a chit-chatter. He had dark skin and had a heavy Bronx accent, and in the span of twenty minutes, we knew he had three daughters and that they were all in Elementary school.

I was thankful for the distraction. Andy seemed like he wanted to ask me what was going on, but I didn't feel like talking about it all.

I was worried about Bryan because I knew it had to be something important to make him leave the camp like that. He'd been planning this for a whole month and he was looking forward to it.

"Thank you," I glanced at my friend as I reached out for the wallet on my purse.

He placed his palm over mine. "I got it, Jess." He turned to the driver, "I'll just walk her home, okay?" The man nodded and gave me a bright smile.

"What's up, girl? You look like crap," Andy said as we stepped out of the car. I raised an eyebrow and he smiled sheepishly, "no offense."

Shaking my head, my lips curved up slightly. "I'm fine, just tired."

"For real? So, it doesn't have to do with the fact that your boyfriend left abruptly?"

I shrugged, looking at my feet, my stomach churning uneasily. "He's not my boyfriend."

Was our Saturday date still on? Ugh. I wanted to slap myself. How could I even think of that? Maybe Bryan was busy with whatever was going on.

Andy chuckled. "Yeah, whatever. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" We reached my house by now.

"Definitely. Thank you for everything."

He smiled and his eyes glinted mischievously. "Do I get a thank you kiss?"

I snorted. "In your dreams, Andy."

He cracked up at that. "Yup. In my dreams...but I always get more than a kiss." He winked at me as I shook my head. "Just saying." Smirking, he stepped back to the taxi and waved goodbye before climbing inside.

With a small smile on my face, I unlocked the front door. The first thing that hit me was the intense chocolate smell, and that meant one thing: Juno was baking brownies. I heard the TV in the background as I closed the front door. I turned to the living room and found Seth watching a basketball game.

"Your defense sucks!" Seth shouted to the screen. Smiling, I dropped the backpack on the floor and made my way to the kitchen.

Juno was indeed baking a gazillion brownies. The kitchen table was covered with several trays. Instantly, I reached out for a brownie, when someone slapped my left hand.

"You can't eat one!" My brother's voice sounded behind me. Juno turned around and smiled at me. She was wearing a bright yellow sundress, with a pink apron. I grinned at her before turning to Seth.

"I thought you were glued to the TV," I crossed my arms. Seth's light brown hair was all over the place, and he was wearing an old green t-shirt. "And no date today?"

My little brother's eyes narrowed. "You don't look any better, sis."

Juno placed a hand on my arm. "Here you go, honey. You seem like you need one." She handed me a brownie in a napkin.

"Hey!" Seth protested, "Why does she get one and I haven't been able to eat one myself?"

I smirked at Seth as he glared at me while crossing his arms. "Because your sister looks like the bus rolled over while she was inside." My smile faded as my stupid brother started to laugh. Ignoring him, Juno patted my arm while pulling out a chair. "Now, now, tell me, sweetie. What happened?"

Sighing, I took a bite of the brownie. It tasted like heaven.

Boy, I'm glad to be home.

:) So...what the hell happened to Bryan!

Votes and comments are highly appreciated.