Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Jonathan stood in the hallway, his back leaning against the wall as he wrapped up the conversation with his latest fling, a girl he'd only met a few weeks ago. She had a way of keeping his attention for now, but it wasn't anything serious. He chuckled at something she said while his voice dropped into a flirtatious tone.

"Yeah, I'll see you soon. No, not tonight. It's my birthday party, after all," Jonathan said, glancing at the door that led back into the party. He heard the music pulsing through the walls and gave a lazy smile. "But, we'll hang out soon, alright?"

After a few more words exchanged, he ended the call and slid his phone into his pocket. He lingered there for a moment and ran a hand through his hair, not really thinking much of the conversation. It was just another call, just another girl.

But then his thoughts shifted back to Laura. She had seemed a bit off earlier, quieter than usual, like she had something on her mind. He remembered the way she tried to say something before the call interrupted them. Guilt pricked at him briefly. Maybe he'd left her hanging a little too long.

With a shrug, Jonathan pushed open the door and walked back into the party. The lively buzz of conversations and the low hum of music greeted him once more. He scanned the room, looking for Laura among the familiar faces of friends and family.

But she was nowhere to be found.

He frowned slightly and moved through the crowd, greeting people absentmindedly as he made his way toward his sister. He finally spotted her near the snack table, laughing with some friends. "Tabby!" Jonathan called, weaving his way through the group.

Tabitha looked up, a smile on her face as she saw him approach. "Hey, birthday boy. Finished flirting already?"

Jonathan rolled his eyes. "Very funny. Have you seen Laura?"

Tabitha raised an eyebrow. "She was just with you, wasn't she?"

"Yeah, but I got a call and when I came back, she wasn't there. I can't find her," Jonathan said, glancing around again while his frown deepened.

Tabitha's teasing smirk faded as she shrugged. "I haven't seen her in a bit. She might've stepped outside for some air. It's been pretty loud in here."

Jonathan nodded, feeling a strange knot form in his chest. "Yeah, maybe. I'll check outside."

As he turned to leave, Tabitha called after him, "She seemed kind of quiet tonight, didn't she? I thought she was gonna say something important."

Jonathan paused for a second as her words hit him with a little more weight than he expected. Something important? What did Laura want to talk about?

With a quick nod to his sister, Jonathan headed toward the back door with a strange feeling stirring inside him—like he'd missed something.

He stepped outside, expecting to see Laura, but the backyard was empty. No one was there—not even a trace of her. The cool night air felt unsettlingly still. He scanned the area, confused. 

Wait, did she go home?  he wondered, glancing over the fence toward the house next door.

Laura's parents lived just beside his own family's place, and she'd been staying there ever since they graduated college. Jonathan knew she was supposed to take over the family business one day, but it still felt strange seeing her back there after all this time. Their families had been close for years, practically intertwined. Growing up, he and Laura were inseparable, always running back and forth between the two houses. They shared everything—birthdays, holidays, even family dinners. It was no surprise they'd ended up best friends.

But even best friends drifted sometimes. And tonight, Jonathan couldn't shake the feeling that something between them was different. He hadn't noticed it before, but thinking back, Laura had been a little distant lately, like she had something on her mind she wasn't sharing.

And now, she was gone—just disappeared from his birthday party without a word. He wondered if she was upset, but he couldn't put his finger on why.

With a sigh, Jonathan shoved his hands into his pockets and started toward the fence, eyes fixed on the faint glow coming from the windows of Laura's house. He bent down, grabbing a small stone—a habit he'd never outgrown. Throwing pebbles at her window had always been his way of breaking the ice, especially when Laura was upset. It was a simple gesture, one that had always worked, no matter how mad she was.

But just as he was about to toss the stone, the blinds in Laura's room suddenly rolled down, cutting off the light. It was so perfectly timed, it almost felt deliberate. His hand froze mid-throw, and his eyebrows twitched in confusion. She knew he did this. It had been their thing since they were kids.

Jonathan stood there, staring at the now-closed blinds. It was the first time she'd ever shut him out like this. Even when she was upset, she'd always leave the window open, knowing he'd come. But tonight, it felt different.

"What the hell...?" Jonathan muttered, lowering his arm and dropping the stone. He stood there for a moment, staring at the closed blinds, unsure of what to do next. His instinct kicked in, the one he'd relied on since they were kids.

He brought two fingers to his lips and let out a low, sharp whistle. "Laura!" he called out, not too loudly, more of a loud whisper, like they used to do when sneaking out late at night. He waited for a response, but all he got was the rustling of leaves in the night breeze.

Frowning, he whistled again, slightly louder this time. "Laura! Come on, I know you're in there."

But the window stayed dark and quiet. No playful retaliation, no teasing. Nothing.

Jonathan shifted his weight from one foot to the other, feeling an unfamiliar knot of worry tightening in his chest. Why wasn't she answering? Normally, she'd be at the window, rolling her eyes at him for his persistence, but tonight she was...gone. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated and uneasy.

Frustrated, Jonathan pulled his phone from his pocket and quickly typed out a message, his fingers moving faster than his thoughts.

-Seriously, open the window. What is wrong with you?-

He hit send, staring at the screen, waiting for those familiar three dots to appear, signaling her response. Instead, a simple "Read" notification popped up beneath his message. But nothing else followed.

She'd seen it. And chose not to reply.

Jonathan's jaw tightened. Something was definitely up, and he wasn't about to leave without figuring out what. With determination, he shoved his phone back into his pocket and marched toward her front door.

He knocked firmly, stepping back and crossing his arms as he waited. A few moments passed before the door creaked open, revealing Laura's mother, her face lighting up when she saw him.

"Jonathan! What a nice surprise, happy birthday!" she greeted warmly. "Here to see Laura?"

Jonathan forced a smile, though his mind was elsewhere. "Yeah, I just... Is she home?"

Mrs. Levine nodded as her expression softened. "She is. But, well...I think she's had a long day. You know how she gets sometimes. You wanna go check on her?" She invited knowing well her daughter has been liking on Jonathan for what seems like an eternity.