Chapter Twenty-Four- Jaden

My new apartment smells like water downed cleaning products and old wood. Not my first choice, by far, but something I can call my own. Plus, it's cheap and all I can afford. The boxes in the living room are filled with my belongings, but most of my furniture sits in the U-Haul parked out front.

I expected Cade to be home by now to help me. I check my phone again, but there isn't any new texts or missed calls. I curl my palm around my stomach when it growls. Since I have no food, I order Door Dash and eat it on the floor of my living room.

Music thumps from the apartment above me, and I try not to dwell on the fact that I have class tomorrow. And how Cade has disappeared. I gnaw on the corner of my fingernail, and send him another text which issues me no response.

I don't want to be angry, but I need his help. I only have the truck until tomorrow morning or I'll have to pay for an extra day, which I don't have the money for.

I throw my food away in th