15 MADDY
MADDY
What if, what if, what if, what if, what if, what if
It’s hot. I’m barely a mile in and already losing my breath. I had actually planned to go surfing today, but when I looked out my window this afternoon, the waves were practically non-existent. So I decided to go on a run.
But the sun has apparently decided to make some kind of comeback, and I’m paying the price for it.
“Close To You” by Gracie Abrams plays through my headphones as I match my steps to the beat, focusing on my breathing while the heat creeps across my cheeks.
I turn the corner onto Baylin’s main street, where the town is slowly closing, getting ready for the evening. First comes Lavender shoulders tense, eyes still shaky.
“We’re going to continue the investigation,” the officer says. “Mr. Gracelyn, we’ll need you at the station to file a formal report.”
Dad nods. “Of course. Yes.”
Noah speaks immediately. “We’ll go with you.”
I nod in agreement. Dad looks at all of us, a small, grateful smile flickering across his face before he turns toward the door and we turn back to our friends for a moment. Kiara pulls me into a quick hug. “Text us, okay? Seriously. Anything you need.”
“We’ll call you later.” Mel says as she squeezes my arm as Liam gives a soft nod. “Let us know how it goes.”
I manage a weak smile. “Thanks, I will.”
I see Noah and Ryan talk to each other a little further ahead. I turn toward the door but pause when I reach Ryan. “Thank you for coming,” I say softly.
His expression is unreadable, but his eyes aren’t. “Of course,” he says. “I’ll check in later.”
I nod once, then step past him. His hand brushes briefly against my arm before he steps back.
Noah walks beside me, while Dad is talking quietly to an officer near the patrol car about some paperwork. The back door swings open. Noah helps me in first, then slides in next to me, and Dad gets in the passenger seat. The door closes behind us with a heavy thud.
We spent almost two hours at the police station. Most of it was just sitting and waiting while Dad explained what he walked into over and over again. Forms got pushed across the table. Questions got asked—some to him, a few to Noah and me.
By the time they drive us home, it’s already completely dark outside.
Dad thanks the officers again before they pull away, and we walk back inside the house in silence.
The moment the door closes behind us, Noah gently squeezes Dad’s shoulder and tells him to go take a shower and change into something comfortable for a bit.
I back him up, telling him to take his time.
Dad looks between us, his eyes tired but soft, and then he pulls both of us into a hug, before heading upstairs.
The second he’s out of sight, Noah and I both exhale at the same time, like we’ve been holding the same breath for hours. I tug absentmindedly at the sleeve of the oversized hoodie wrapped around me, and freeze. Ryan’s hoodie. I completely forgot I was still wearing it.
“Hey,” Noah says, breaking through the thought. “You want some water? You look like you need it.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, shaking it off. “Water sounds good.”
He hands me a glass, and when I reach for my phone a second later, the screen lights up with a row of missed messages.
KIARA: let us know if you need anything
MEL: keep us updated
LIAM: hope you’re okay
RYAN: text me when you get home
I stare at the screen for a moment, my thumb hovering over the keyboard.
ME: we’re home. everything went fine.
The message goes to the group chat. Almost immediately, another notification pops up.
RYAN: good. did they say anything useful at the station?
I lean back slightly against the counter, exhaling before typing back.
ME: kind of. they found some camera footage from nearby shops. said they’ll look through it and update us.
A second later I add another message.
RYAN: that’s good I guess.
ME: yeah. dad’s pretending he’s fine but I can tell he’s exhausted.
The typing bubble appears. Then disappears. Then comes back again.
RYAN: and you? you okay?
That simple question makes something soften in my chest.
ME: yeah. I’m fine.
ME: I probably looked like a trembling cat that got thrown into a bathtub earlier but I’m okay now.
His reply comes almost instantly.
RYAN: honestly? more like a stressed-out squirrel.
A quiet snort escapes me before I can stop it. I send him the middle finger emoji.
RYAN: sorry ;)
I glance down at the sleeves of the hoodie again. The fabric hangs past my hands, completely swallowing me. I tug it a little tighter around myself and catch the faint smell of his cologne mixed with laundry detergent.
ME: sorry for stealing your hoodie btw.
RYAN: don’t worry about it.
RYAN: looks better on you anyway
A small warmth runs through my body. Then my eyes feel heavy all of a sudden, the adrenaline finally draining out of my system.
ME: thank you :)
ME: I'm gonna try to sleep.
Three dots appear again.
RYAN: night, mads.
I stare at the message for a second before typing back.
MADDY: night, ry.