Take a Breath(7)

I turn and look at Jake suddenly feeling a heavy weight on my shoulders from the whole day.

He looks over to me—his expression unreadable—then looks up at Matthew.

“It was eventful. Where’s, Stella?”

Matthew shrugs his shoulders. “I haven’t seen her since I came in.”

“When was that, Matthew?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant, but failing miserably. I have a bad feeling in my gut.

“Well, I’ve been in since about four-thirty, and there was no one here then.”

I find myself walking down to the basement bedroom where she normally sleeps. She says that it’s because Jake snores, but I never hear him. The first thing I do is fling her wardrobe door open and I see an empty space staring back at me. My shoulders sag and I’m suddenly enraged knowing full well that she has fled yet again. How could she do this to Jake, to Matthew, to me? I pick up one of her favourite ornaments sitting on her bedside and I throw it at the wall. It falls in tiny pieces as I slump to the floor in a heap. I can hear Jake and Matthew upstairs shouting for me, but I can’t move. What a shit day.

They both stand at the bottom of the stairs staring at me in disbelief. They look at me, then at the debris on the floor. Jake is about to say something when I point to her wardrobe. He has to know. I can’t hide this from him. He walks over, peeks inside and lets out a deep breath. I get up from the heap I’m in, suddenly feeling exhausted. I look at Jake with tears in my eyes and say, “I’m sorry, Jake.”

I walk up the stairs and head for my room. My day can’t get any worse than this. I bet he wishes he never met the Sinclair’s.

I slump on my bed and punch the pillow. She hasn’t even had the decency to write a note. She’s just vanished, yet again. I don’t know why she does it.

I shake myself out of it as I suddenly feel this horrendous relief. I feel guilty because I know Jake must be so upset that she’s decided to leave, but I can’t help it. She’s out of my life. I can finally get on without her. I let out a deep breath and before I know it, I’m falling into oblivion.





Chapter 3





The sound of the alarm waking me at six-thirty was an unwelcome one. My head was pounding. I look up and quickly realise I’m still dressed from last night. Wow, I must have been dead to the world.

I get up, walk over to my bathroom and quickly pour some water into a glass. I take some Advil out of the cabinet and pop the tablets, before getting ready for a shower. Once I’m done, I look in my wardrobe for inspiration. It’s still hot. It must be at least seventy degrees outside, and the day hasn’t even started yet. I put on a nice grey pencil skirt, a white blouse and some black high heels. I’m feeling better already. I make my way to the mirror, apply my makeup and blow dry my hair. By the time I’m finished, it’s almost time to leave.

As I climb downstairs, I suddenly remember that I have to clear that mess I made up from last night. I go to the cupboard on the landing and begin my journey down to the basement. Once I’m at the bottom though, I find there’s nothing there.

“I cleaned it up last night.”

The voice made me jump. I turn around and find Jake in all his glory. His hair is swept back this morning, making his eyes a piercing green as ever. He’s wearing a crisp white shirt, grey trousers and he he’s adjusting the cufflinks at the end of his arm.

“Do you want me to help you with that?” I offer.

“No, it’s okay. I got it, thanks.”

Great, now he doesn’t want me near him.

“I’m really sorry I did that last night, Jake. Thanks for cleaning it up for me.”

He sags a bit and sighs, “I tried calling her last night, but I think she may have disconnected her phone. She’s not left a note or anything. Do you have any idea where she may have gone?”

I don’t know what to say. Do I tell him the truth, or will it hurt him too much?

“I have no idea, Jake. I’m really sorry.”

He looked disgruntled. “I’m sure we’ll figure something out, Ana. Do you want to take the day off? I’ll understand if you don’t want to come in today.”

I look, baffled. I couldn’t understand why he was being so nice to me. I thought he would be throwing me out by now.

“No, I’m fine really, Jake, but thank you anyway. I’ll go get the keys to my car and get going I think. Is Matthew up yet?”

He looks at me and frowns. “I got Matthew up just now. He’s getting ready for school. You can come with me again today if you want? I should be finished the same time as you.”

I look up into those eyes and smile, “Okay. That’ll be good, thank you.”