Page 90 of Someday

I toss the keys on the counter and stop by the bathroom downstairs before making my way upstairs. When I walk into the bedroom, unease slithers across my chest when I see the bed still made.

I rush to the guest bedrooms, quietly at first, thinking maybe she fell asleep somewhere else and I don’t want to wake her up, but when the beds are empty, I run downstairs to the office, no longer bothering to be quiet because it’s obvious she’s not here.

Sofie’s gone.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE

UBERS AND U-HAULS

SOFIE

Once I’ve eaten the burger and dipped my fries in the shake, I go outside to start unpacking the boxes. It’s a little overwhelming even though there isn’t that much that I’m keeping, but I’m determined to get through it without my mood plummeting. I wasn’t lying to Theo about feeling better than okay. The only regret I have about telling him what happened the night I left is that I didn’t tell him sooner.

My phone rings as I’m about to pick up the first box and I check it in case it’s Theo or my aunt.

Marlow.

I pick up right away.

“You’re calling me in the middle of the day?” I laugh. “Tell me you’re eating chocolates too, or something else decadent. Or do you have the wrong number?”

There’s sniffling on the other end and the smile drops off of my face faster than lightning.

“Sof, I need you.” My best friend who never cries issobbing.

I check my phone to be sure it’s really her.

“Marlow?” I gasp.

I grip the truck’s door handle and clutch my heart which is now pounding out of control.

“Can you come?” she asks.

“Tell me where you are and I’ll get there as soon as I can,” I tell her.

“I’m trying to pack the house as fast as I can, and Dakota is sick, so it’s a mess. I’ve gotta get out. I can’t be here any—”

“I’ll get on the next flight out,” I tell her.

“Are you sure?” She blows her nose. “I feel bad for even—”

“I’m absolutely sure. I’ll call you on my way to the airport.”

“Thank you,” she says, crying again. “I love you, Sof.”

“I love you. I’ll call you back.”

I hang up and book the soonest flight I can take and rush in the house, setting up an Uber ride as I throw a few things in my backpack, along with my toothbrush. Since the day I met her, Marlow has been there for me, and she’s not the kind of person who asks for help. There’s no way in the world I’d not drop everything and be there for her.

I try to call Theo a few times before leaving a message and when I do, I keep it brief since I don’t really know any details.

“Hey, sorry to leave this on a message. I’m flying to Texas. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll call you as soon as I get there and let you know more. Love you.”

The Uber driver arrives within five minutes, and I don’t know why I’m somewhat surprised that it’s someone I don’t recognize, a guy named Chad. Sometimes I forget how long I’ve been away. Chad gives up on chatting when I ask him to please get me to the airport as fast as possible and then I get on the phone with Marlow right away.

I stay on the phone with her the whole way to the airport. She still hasn’t told me what’s happened, but it seems to calm her down to have me on the other end as she packs.

My phone is running low on battery by the time I’m dropped off, and when I reach my gate, they’re already boarding, so I get on the plane and plug my phone into the outlet connected to my seat.

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