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Chapter 54 *Futile Chance*

~Drake

 “Did you two have a fight?”

 “What are you talking about?” I ask.

 I’m on my way to my first afternoon class, Literature, when Driana pops out of nowhere and blocks my path.

 “Sophia’s been acting weird lately,” she replies, biting her lower lip and looking worried.

Pie didn’t tell my twin sister about what happened between us. I don’t know if I should be glad or not. Like Pie, I haven’t told Andre about us.

 “Did you two have a fight?” she repeats. “I don’t know what’s wrong. I don’t have an idea. We were eating and then—“

 “Calm down,” I say, putting my hands on her shoulders. She speaks really fast when she’s furious. “I don’t understand you.”

 It’s unusual to see my sister like this. Suddenly, I’m afraid. I look at her from head to toe to make sure she’s okay. I don’t find anything out of the ordinary. Don’t tell me—

 “It’s Sophia,” she says slowly.

 “What happened?” I ask, unconsciously gripping her shoulders.

 But she doesn’t notice. Now I’m the one freaking out.

 “She cut her afternoon classes.”

 “What?” I don’t understand. I let my sister out of my grip and wait for her to explain.

 “See, Sophia never, as in never, in her life cut class. Not even a single one,” she says, a concern expression on her face.

 “Maybe something came up so she decided to go home or. . .” I trail off, thinking positive thoughts.

 “I don’t know.”

 “Didn’t she tell you anything?” I inquire.

  “No,” Driana mumbles, playing with the hem of her shirt.

 “Have you tried calling her phone?”

 “Yes. But it’s out of coverage area.”

 “What about her mom?” I ask hopefully.

 “Yes. She was even surprised that I called her,” she says.

 “Did she say anything about Sophia?”

 “No. . . She’s at home, same with her husband. She even asked me what Sophia is doing. And when she asked me why I was calling, I said that I dialed the wrong number.” She smiles sheepishly and continues, “I don’t want them to worry about their daughter.”

 I guess I know what this is all about. Maybe she doesn’t want to see me. Especially we’re classmates in Literature.

 I close my eyes and imagine the places where she would go. And there are many. I don’t even know where to start.

 What are you going to do? My voice wonders.

 What do you think? I retort.

 Would I ask if I know the answer?

 You’ll see.

 I walk to the direction leading to the parking lof of the school.

 “Where are you going?” Driana calls after me.

 “I’m coming after Sophia,” I answer.

*~*_*~*_*~*

~Sophia

 This is the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever had.

 Note: If you don’t want to be seen, go to an unexpected place. A place where only a few people know about. So why am I here in this place? Aside from me, there’s only one person who knows about where I’m about to go.

 And I cut class because of him. Because I don’t want to see him. I’m afraid my emotions will get mixed again and they will confuse me.

 So why am I going to his haven?

 Sometimes I don’t understand myself.

 But still, there’s a huge probability that he’ll not follow me here.

 Who am I kidding? After our fight, he wouldn’t talk to me again. Much less find me in his secret place. Well, it’s not as if I’m missing.

 Sophia Taylor, admit it already!

 There’s no point in lying to myself. Truth is, I don’t even know if I’m going to the right direction. The first and only time I came here, I did not really look around because I was assured that he knew the way.

 I continue my path, tripping every now and then because of the scattered branches, fallen trees, twigs, and slippery path. Now I realize how much he helped me on our way to his secret place. It’s hard when you’re alone hiking. No one will guide me when I fall and when there are branches on the way.

 If it’s tiring on the first time, this time it’s unbearable.

 Still, I continue my way. I’m not going to turn around and go home. Besides, I doubt I’ll know the way back to the road. Luck isn’t even on my side because my phone is not working. Hooray!

 Good thing I’m not wearing heels. My clothes are more comfortable than the last time I came here.

 To my credit, I remember some familiar sights while I’m walking. This is a sign that I’m not lost, right? Yeah, keep thinking positive thoughts. Nothing will happen when I just stand here and wait for someone to save me. Because no one will.

 Sweat pours down my face and my hair is sticking at the back of my neck. My feet are complaining from too much hiking. I pause and tie my hair using a ponytail. My mouth is dry, it’s as if a sandpaper is rubbing on my toungue. I’m thirsty! The sun is not helping either. The air is hot, although I’m surrounded by trees.

 After resting for a couple of minutes, I continue my way. I think I’m near because I see the huge tree. I remember him pushing its branch  to reveal  the other side—  the magical place.

*~*_*~*_*~*

 ~Drake

Where is she?

 I’ve been into the places where I think she would go: Library, Mall, Bookstores,  and I even drive around town. But of course when a person is hiding, she won’t go to the obvious place.

 Pie! Why are you doing this?

 I feel guilty for making her cut class. If only I didn’t enter her life, she won’t do this. She won’t be miserable. I’m so worried, my hands are trembling on the steering wheel. But I don’t want to ask help from my friends. Much less the police. They will sure tell Pie’s parents and everything will tumble down.

 The ringing of my phone snaps me out of my thoughts.

 “Hey,” I answer, not bothering to look at the caller id.

 “Where are you?” Andre asks.

 Glancing at the dashboard, the clock’s light blinks back at me. 3:00 in the afternoon. I’ve been searching for her for almost three hours now.

 I’m sure I’ll get in trouble for cutting classes. First when Pie was sick, now when Pie is missing.

 “Downtown,” I say. Actually, I’m in the park where—

 “Have you seen her?” he inquires, interrupting my thoughts.

 He knows?

 Driana told him, my voice says obviously.

 Why?

 Ask him.

 Ignoring the voice inside my head, I reply to Andre, “No, not yet.”

 “I’ll help you find her as soon as I can.”

 “Thanks.”

 “No problem,” he says. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’s okay.”

 “I hope,” I mutter. I can’t forgive myself if something bad happens to her.

 “Dude, you’re the optimist here,” he reminds me.

 “I’ll try to remember that,” I say wryly. “Bye—“

 “Wait!” he says quickly.

 “What?” I ask, frowning. I have to continue my search now.

 “Try to find Sophia on places that she’ll less likely go,” he advices.

 She’ll less likely go?

 I don’t have—

 There’s one place  I haven’t checked yet.

 And Sophia might be there, my voice agrees.

 “Thanks,” I say. “I’ll go there now.”

 “Good luck!”

 Starting my car, I steer the wheel to the road leading to the outskirts of town. There’s a huge chance that she's not there. But I might as well try because that’s the only place I can think of right now.

*~*_*~*_*~*

 ~Sophia

 It’s getting late. My stomach is growling while my mouth is drought.

 This is the perks of not preparing to hike.

 Suddenly, an idea pops into my mind. Why didn’t I think of that earlier?!

 But wait. I don’t even know the way to his little cottage! And if there’s a place where I would stay the night,  I’d rather be here. Oh God, just thinking about sleeping here sends shiver through my spine.

 How can I stay here, alone? In the middle of the forest?

 My mom will be worried if I won’t go home. And what about dad’s condition?

 I should start going back now while there’s still light. The clouds are turning gray—

 "Pie?"

 Whipping around, I see him. I don't know why I can't say his name. I can't even think about it. I guess he's the one that can't be named then.

 "W-what are y-you doing h-here?" I stutter.

 I didn’t hear his footsteps. I must be really focused on my plan to go home, or he can walk quietly in the forest.

 This is the first time I see him since our fight. There are dark circles under his eyes- a sign that he's not getting proper sleep. His cheeks became hollow, and if it's possible, I think he lost weight.

 Well, at least it's not just me. I'm not the only one suffering.

 But my eyes start to water. I don't know why I don't want to see him like this, so I tear my gaze away from him.

 God, he looks sick.

 Is it possible that he’s miserable as I am?

 Revenge is really not good. I should have listened to my intincts when it told me that playing his heart will not give me satisfaction. Now we're both broken. We're both paying for the consequences we made.

 "I. . . I was looking for you," he says, walking slowly towards me and stopping a few yards away, maybe afraid to be near me because I might snap at any second.

 Why is he looking for me? Did they think that I was missing? My throat is dry, it's hard to talk!

 "Driana told me that you decided to cut class without explaining the reason why," he continues. "She asked me if we're fighting. . ."

 I haven't informed Dri about what happened to her twin and me because as of now, I can't even understand it myself.

 "What about you?" he asks. "What are you doing here?"

 To get away from you, I want to yell, but instead I say, "Why woul I tell you?"

 He sighs and glances up at the sky. He's so different from the Drake I know - the one who's always smiling, who can make everyone around him happy. This Drake is full of sadness and it’s like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

 "What happened?" he asks, kicking a rock in front of him.

 “I saw you with Cassidy,” I blurt out.

 “What?”

 “You were having a good time dating her!”

 “No, no,” he says quickly, vehemently shaking his head. “It’s. . . we didn’t. . . I mean, we were just talking.”

 “Really?” I say sarcastically. It’s obvious that he’s lying! He’s stuttering! And then I compose myself and say, “As if I care!”

 “So this is what it’s all about?” he asks, realization finally dawning in. “You saw me with her and you assumed that there’s something going on between us?”

 “No!” I scold, “The point is you played my heart!” I don’t even know why I’m talking to him.

 “Pie, Cassidy and I didn’t have a date,” he starts, “The only time I was alone with her was a few days ago. We were in a coffee shop. She apologized for the things she did. She said she didn’t know what happen to her to be rude to you. She even told me that she’ll speak with you today. Maybe apologize or something. Nothing’s going on between us.”

 “Yeah,” I say dryly. “Nothing’s going on between you two.”

 I have a feeling that he’s telling the truth though, that perhaps what they did that day was just talk. But what happened because of that can’t be changed.

 “Pie, I’m sorry,” he whispers.

 “It doesn’t change anything,” I murmur.

 “I may not cancel the bet as early as I should but everything I did for you was from the heart,” he states. “I did not mean to hurt you. I’m sorry.”

 “Right,” I say sarcastically.

 I don’t know what to do anymore! I’m confused and lost.

 “Why can’t you believe?” he asks softly. “Ask Andre.”

 I scoff. “He’s your best friend. Of course he’ll lie too.”

 “Sophia Taylor!”

 Startled, I look at him.

 “Tell me,” he says pleadingly, “What do I have to do make you believe that what I feel for you is real?”

 He captures me in his gaze, now I can’t tear my eyes away from him.

 “Nothing.”

 In that single word, it’s as if his world came crashing down.  Color drains from his face, and he just stands there, looking at me without saying anything for a while.

 Perhaps he had enough of me. Now he’s going to stop from proclaiming his love for me.

 “Please, let me take you home,” he says tiredly. “I promise I wont talk to you for the whole ride.”

 “I don’t believe you.” I doubt if I can ever trust him again.

 “Your parents are worried about you,” he continues. “And Driana is probably contemplating to call the police or not.”

 I can’t be budge. I’d rather stay herethan be with him.

 To my surprise, he hands his car key to me. “If you don’t want me to take you home, at least use my car so you can go out of this place.”

 “What?” I say incredulously.

 He keeps dangling the key in front of me but I don’t bother to take it from him.

 “Go home,” he says.

 “Why don’t you go home?” I snap. “Just leave me alone!”

 “I can’t just leave you here,” he says, running his hand through his hair.

 “Aren’t you listening to me?” I say furiously. “I said I don’t want to see you again! Ever!” And then I turn my back and walk away from him.

 He catches up after a few yards and to my utter disbelief, he grabs my arm to stop me.

 “Let me go!” I push him and he raises both his hands.

 “Okay, if you let me take you home,” he says, “I won’t talk to you again. I won’t bother you anymore.”

 I look at him doubtfully. Is he telling the truth?

 “I swear,” he says, as if reading my thoughts. “I won’t even glance at your way. How’s that? A life free off Drake Swift?”

 A life without Drake Swift?

 Something tugs at my heartstrings but I ignore it.

 He’s my only chance of going home so I might as well grab the opportunity.

 “Okay.”

 I can’t tell if he’s disappointed or not. He easily changed his expression and wear an indifferent mask.

 “Let’s go,” he says finally, and starts walking back to the path leading to the road.

 I follow after him, my heart pounding in my chest.

 Maybe this is good. If I won’t talk to him and won’t see him like before, my feelings for him will vanish.

 Evaporate.

 Gone.

 I’d rather die than admit that I love him.

*****

I hope you liked it :)

The song is Somewhere Only We Know by Keane (I forgot who suggested this) Banner by Kimy Sanchez.

Thank you! ♥