Strings

Looking

LENA POV

Europe was beautiful more beautiful then I could ever imagine however there was just no way I could enjoy it. It had been two weeks since I last heard from Stef which was very unlike her. Every afternoon I called the shelter payphone which just rang and rang and I was starting to grow more worried by the day. Yes, there was a six hour time difference but I would call at 8 PM her time knowing she had to be in by that time to make curfew and it gave me just enough time to talk before my classes. Wondering if I should maybe call the diner where she worked or even Jenna I figured that might be a bad idea as well. Stef had promised to stay in touch which led me to believe something was going on and something not every good.

"Lena, you haven't touched your food dear." my mother said to me as we sat in the hotel restaurant for lunch.

"I know I'm not very hungry." I said pushing my food around feeling my stomachache turn.

"Well, you must eat something. You are skinny enough as it is." she chuckled and I glanced to my watch seeing it was almost 2 PM

"Yeah."

"What is it dear? What has you looking like this. You are in a beautiful city, studying a new culture and language what on earth has you looking so devastated."

Debating if I should open this can of worms I let out sigh feeling my head hurt. My mother had been furious with me for giving Stef a key and letting her have access to the house after finding out the alarm was tripped.  It also didn't help seeing the tatoo I had gotten and the first few weeks here she refused to speak to me. All of this just gave her another reason to hate Stef which she still had no issue making known to me. However, my mother knew the reason why I was upset anyone could see why.

"Nothing." I lied taking a bite of my salad. "May I be excused?"

"Now? We are in the middle of lunch."

"Yes please. I Just need to check on Stef."

"Lena..."she warned.

"Go ahead honey it's fine." My father said gently touching my arm and letting out a warm smile as I could see my mother roll her eyes.

Quickly rushing to our room I got out my calling card hoping today I would finally reach her. Hearing it ring three times my hopes were declining when I suddenly heard someone pick up.

"Hello."

"Stef?" I shouted not even registering it wasn't her voice.

"No. Who the fuck is this?" they said angrily as I let out a sigh.

"This is a friend of hers. Do you know if she is there?"

"Nope. She got kicked out two weeks ago. Why? Are you the little girlfriend, the one she was always talking too?"

"Kicked out?" I asked ignoring her rude comments.

"Yeah  kicked out? You retarded or something?"

"Do you know where she is?"

"Look what the hell do I look like? And why do I even care where the fuck she is. Bitch deserved it."

"Excuse me?" I now said growing angry and coming out of the shock that Stef was nowhere to be found as I came back into reality.

"You heard me. You're girlfriend is a bitch!"

"Yeah and so are you!" I said slamming the phone down as my stomach was now in knots.

Where was she?

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STEF POV