Chapter 30
Lily
Lily: We are home. Everything went well.
Lily: We are going to have dinner now. Leo is a little down.
Lily: How about you?
The plan with my family had gone perfectly. We'd spent the entire day at the amusement park, riding every roller coaster, playing carnival games, and enjoying all our favorite treats. Leo had won me a stuffed elephant at the ring toss, and for a few hours, we'd all felt like kids again.
Now we were back home, settling into our evening routine. I'd taken the first shower so I could help Mom with dinner preparation. We'd made Leo's favorite homemade pizza with way too much cheese, which was, of course, my idea, to see if I could cheer him up a little.
Even though Leo seemed distracted during dinner, there were moments when he genuinely laughed at Dad’s terrible jokes and actually looked relaxed.
Seeing him enjoy the trip, even a little, made me feel like I’d really managed to take his mind off whatever had been bothering him. It felt like my effort had paid off.
After dinner, my parents had settled in the living room to watch a movie together. I'd volunteered to make popcorn, but as I stood in the kitchen waiting for the kernels to pop, I realized Leo had already disappeared to his room.
A part of me wanted to spend more time with him while I could, to savor these peaceful family moments that I knew were precious. So I decided to invite him to stay with us for the movie.
I knocked softly on his door. "Hey, we're planning to watch the latest Hunger Games movie. Want to join us?"
No response.
Maybe he was already asleep. I checked my watch; it was 8:00 PM. That was early even for someone who'd spent the day walking miles around an amusement park. Maybe he had his headphones on and couldn't hear me.
I opened the door slowly, trying not to disturb him if he was sleeping.
And my heart suddenly stopped.
Leo wasn't in his room.
The window was open. His bed was made, but there were clothes scattered on the floor. The outfit he'd worn to the park. He'd changed and left.
I ran down the hall, checking the bathroom, my room, and my parents' room. Nothing.
There was only one place he could have gone. I didn't want to believe he'd snuck out, but knowing what had really happened ten years ago, the answer was painfully clear.
Panic rose in my chest as I hurried to change out of my pajamas, calling Kyle over and over, but every call went straight to voicemail, and each unanswered ring only made my anxiety grow.
What the hell was going on? Why wasn't he answering?
I just hoped he had everything under control and Jeremy wasn't at that party, or things were going to get extremely ugly.
I ran downstairs to where my parents were cuddled on the couch, the opening credits of their movie just starting.
"Leo snuck out," I said breathlessly. "I think he went to Oliver's party. Can I use the car to go get him?"
My parents looked at each other in surprise and concern. "Why are you so worried? It's just a party," Mom said.
It frustrated me that they didn't understand the seriousness of the situation. It was just a party for them, but it felt like the end of the world for me.
"I have my reasons for being concerned. I know he's been having problems with Brandy and some other friends, and I don't want anything to happen that we'll all regret. Can I take the car, please?"
Dad was already reaching for the keys. "Of course, honey, but drive carefully, and don't come back too late, okay?"
"Thanks, I won’t."
I kissed them both on the cheek and ran as fast as I could to the vehicle, my hands shaking as I fumbled with the keys.
Maybe I still had time to get there before something terrible happened.
Maybe I could still fix this. He was walking there.
I was in a car. I could get there first. I will get there first.
I tried to be positive on my way to the party, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was already too late.
My brother and Jeremy will fight. Oliver will make them go to his bathroom so they can settle their differences in private. And it's all going to be a setup to record them having sex.