Nicole's POV

Ilya. He had said to try Travis.

Worry was pounding in my chest. Molli doesn't just disappear. I've known her since she was 13, she doesn't just LEAVE.

I was breathing hard. I had gone back to her house once or twice, but there was no clue as to where she had gone, only that she's been gone for a day or two.

I dialed Travis's number, and when he finally picked up I was in tears.

"Nicole, why are you freaking out?" His voice was rough.

I noticed his voice right away. "Travis what's wrong?"

He swallowed. "Okay. You CAN'T tell Ilya or ANYONE. But I'm not at the game because I'm looking for Molli. I can't find her anywhere. I took her home from the hospital the other night. I talked to her then left her at home yesterday afternoon. I can't find her ANYWHERE."

"Oh Travis..." My voice trailed off. "You've been looking for her too? I can't find her either! Come over to my house, I have an idea."

I waited anxiously for Travis, and when he was finally here my phone rang.

Elizabeth. "It's ELIZABETH!" I screamed in excitment and relief. She had found Molli! We hadn't dragged her into this.

Travis's eyes were hopeful and I gave him a huge hug before answering the call

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?"



Molli's POV

There's a certain kind of sadness. The one where you can't cry. You can't scream. You can't talk. You can't feel. Anything. You're just numb.

"She's gone Molli."

That was what drove me into this. And I can't pull out.

She's gone.

I haven't eaten anything in a day and a half. Haven't had one sip of water. No sleep, despite laying in a bed all this time.

It had rained. What had driven me to this little house in Asbury Park is something I'm unsure of. It used to belong to my father. No one had bought it. And it wasn't ours anymore. But it was good for quiet. Good for alone.

There was a loud bang, and then someone called "Hello? Anyone here?"

I couldn't answer. I'd be jailed. The police were here to accuse menof stealing I'm sure.

I heard the creaking of the stairs, and I squeezed my eyes shut and wished I was dead too.

The door opened. "Molli?"

I opened my eyes and silent tears fell down my face. I hadn't seen anyone since the news was broken to me.

He sat down on the bed and pushed my hair back with his hand. He didn't speak as much as I tried too.

"Zach, you're here. Why?

He didn't answer. I didn't even sit up. He sat next to me and stroked my face. I couldn't smile. Unable to turn the corners of my mouth up.

He took my wrist and massaged it lovingly.

I closed my eyes as he rubbed my shoulders. He eventually laid down beside me and I cuddled naturally into his chest.

He massaged my neck and shoulders some more. I turned around and looked into his loving chocolate brown eyes. He smiled slightly. I took a deep breath out. I buried my head into his neck, and he held me and traced patterns on my back.

"I love you." I whispered.

I felt him smile and he kissed my head. "I love you too Molli."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. He moved so he was on his back.

I sat up and rested my head on his shoulder. With one of his hands he caressed my face and moved the hair out of my eyes. I sighed happily.

I moved to my side so I could look at him. I touched his face, and he smiled at me widely.

I moved in as close as I could to him. I lightly stroked his neck.

He closed his eyes and I ran my hand through his hair. "I love you Zach." I whispered.

Zach nodded. "I love you too." I kissed his cheek.

He pulled my as close to him as I could possibly get. His face was perfect. His chocolate brown eyes were gorgeous and sparkling, even in this lighting. His lips were full and his teeth white.

"Please? Can I kiss you?" He asked.

I looked at him in confusion. "Why would I object? I need you Zach. In fact, please kiss me. Please."

He didn't have to hear it twice.

At first the kiss was loving. I loved the way his lips felt on mine. And soon the kiss was at another level. The pain of Alexandra was slipping away, along with the innocence.

I pulled away from Zach. His eyes were still pleading and I kissed him again, harder. It was almost as if we had done this before. I mean we had, before the accident. And a few little kisses after the party.

My hands were on his shoulders and his arms were wrapped around me. I had never felt better in my whole life.

He finally let go of me. "How are you?

"I'm prefect." I said.

"But really."

I sighed. "Not great. My niece died. Heart attack. She was like-" Tears were filling my eyes and I couldn't stop them from falling.

Zach kissed the tears away as they fell. "I'm so sorry Molli. How old was she?"

"She was going to be ten."

Zach's warm arms hugges me close to him. He sat up and pulled me with him. I cryed into his shoulder. He kissed my head and ran his hands through my hair. "I'm so sorry."

There were no other words to be said. The tears wouldn't stop coming and Zach couldn't stop them.