Jared, we love like vampires.

She's Always Drifting.

In the morning I wake up and search my sheets for her warm creamy skin, but she’s gone. All I find is the clothes I lent her folded nicely at the end of the bed. I jump out of bed and look out my door hoping to see her and stop her so we can talk about everything, but I don’t. I check my phone too. I search my contacts to see if she left her number. Though, she didn’t. She is gone without a trace.

How can I go from feeling the best I’ve ever felt, to the worst I’ve ever felt so fast? My chest aches. Each beat is a painful reminder. All I feel like doing is going back to sleep. So that is what I do, until it is time for me to head to work.

After work I decide to finally call Shayla and Denise back. They have left about a hundred messages. I’ve been ignoring them I’ll admit. I really don’t feel like talking to anyone about Beth or anything that happened. They know I’m not the type of person to open up to anyone, but this is something they’ll press until I crack. So the sooner the better I guess.

“JARED! Finally! We have been so worried about you!” Shayla picks up and spouts.

“Yea Jared. Like seriously what the fuck happened last night? I have never seen you act like that.” Denise chimes in.

I must be on speaker phone. Great. I get to talk to both of them. “Well, that’s why I called you guys back. I knew you were worried so I just wanted to let you know I’m fine.” I say.

“Umhm.” Shayla replies unbelievingly.

“Jared…You can talk to us.” Denise says her voice full of compassion.

“We understand. You sound horrible. You must really like Beth. Where is she?”

“Well…Honestly? I don’t know. She left this morning.” I say trying to keep the emotion out of my voice.

“Oh Jared I’m so sorry honey. I’m sure you’ll hear from her soon.” Shayla says softly.

“Uh. Well. I doubt that you guys, but thanks for caring. I will be fine. She’s just a girl.” I try and laugh it off like it’s nothing. Though, they know me better than that. Before they can say anything else I hang up. I can’t take it. So for the first time in about ten years, I cry. She was probably my best friend in high school, and we drifted apart. Now I get a second chance to have her in my life and I lose her again. I don’t understand. She’s always drifting.

After that’s all over with I mope and question everything. Why would she leave like that? Is there something in her life she doesn’t want me to know? Did it have something to do with that guy at the club she was dancing with? I don’t know. Though, a few hours later I decide to stop wondering and call Shayla back and ask her about it. Since she was the one who was with Beth when he showed up she may know something that I don’t.

“Jared!”

“Hey Shayla. Uh this might be stupid but I was calling to ask if you knew anything about Beth and that guy at the club she was dancing with. You know, the one I kinda tussled with?”

“Hmm…Well to be honest. Yes. It did seem like she knew him. She kept telling him he shouldn’t be there. They weren’t really even dancing. They were talking and dancing to look like they weren’t talking. It was almost as if they had some sort of big secret.

“Wow. Really? Okay I was just wondering. Thank you Shayla.” I hang up. The phone call didn’t make me feel any better. It really just left me with more questions. She was probably dating that jackass. I just hope she is okay.

In the next few days I don’t do anything really but mope, until I get a text. It’s Shayla.

‘Why don’t you come out with us again tonight?’

‘It might take your mind off things?’

At first I decide on telling them I don’t feel up to it, but I get an idea. Maybe I’ll see Beth. Maybe she’ll go out again tonight. If she goes regularly at that club then maybe she’ll be there. I know it is a slim to nothing chance, but I can’t pass it up. I love her.

‘Sure.’ I reply.