Finding Zoe
Noah wanted to talk about it but not with the others there.
- Your arm hurt?
He said changing the topic.
- Yeah, the doctors said its normal, that I'd get a sharp pain like this now and then
Look, guys I just really want to apologize to all of you. I should have talked to you before leaving and I'm truly sorry for all of it
- You weren't on a condition to talk to anyone
Hunter said, still mad about the accident.
- Since we're talking about that, let's hear the accident from you too Ro
- What about it?
- Was it really an accident?
- What do you mean?
- See, I don't think it was. I think there is a tiny chance it was intentional
- Really Hunter? Still with that? For fucks sake.
Allison felt frustrated and she didn't care to hide it.
- I mean we were going fast..
- She was, you weren't driving
- ..as I was saying Hunter, we were going fast and lost control, I don't think
- Will you stop?
Hunter didn't want to hear these edited version of the story anymore.
- Stop what?
Rose felt her heartbeat fasten
- Hiding stuff, protecting her.
Mr.P said he thought you two were fighting before you started speeding, what were you fighting about?
- Protecting me? Why would she have to protect me? Why would I want her to?
- I don't know Al you tell us. What is she not telling?
- I know.
Noah said angry with himself for not realizing it sooner.
- ..I know why. You somehow heard I was gonna talk to Rose at the lake house didn't you?
- What ?
None of them had known about it.
- She knows what I'm talking about? I'm right aren't I?
- Yes Noah. We were arguing about that. But I did not try to kill her.
- Who were trying to kill then? Yourself?
Aliyah felt sick from hearing all of this.
- No Aliyah, I had just gotten my license and I was a bit reckless and panicked but I didn't try to kill anyone.
But thank you. All of you for your trust
- You just love to twist words and situations don't you?
- No. Hunter, I don't, but you sure like to protect Rose don't you? You love making me the villain.
- Here we fucking go again. In case you haven't noticed it's you who brings Rose into every fucking conversation
- Well my best friends are accusing me of trying to kill myself and my best friend, its only normal I try to defend myself
- By blaming her?
- No, by telling the truth
- That's what we want to hear too.
- You're an asshole Hunter
- Well you're not exactly a delight yourself
- Guys! Will you please stop?
Rose had had it for tonight with the fighting.
- Well if you would say something maybe they would all stop blaming me
- Say what? I already told them.
- No you didn't because you like all this attention
- She wasn't trying to kill anyone, it was an accident.
- It sure didn't seem like one from where we were standing. Which, just in case you forgot was right behind you
Noah wasn't going to hold back anymore.
Aliyah had seen it all happen from the back seat and she agreed with Noah.
- Noah's right. There is no way you didn't see that car Allison. It's just not possible.
- Oh my fucking God! If I wanted to kill myself I would have slit my wrists and not bring anyone into it
"slit my wrists" Rose felt her stomach turn when she heard it.
Then she remembered.
- Fuck!
She said.
- Hunter give me your car keys
- What? Why?
- Just give them I have no time to explain
- Well you better, there is no way in hell I'm letting you drive anywhere tonight.
- Are you okay?
Noah asked. He was confused and worried
- Yes I just need the damn car keys. Hunter please!
- I'll drive you anywhere but you're not going anywhere on your own
- Okay please let's just go. I need to go. NOW!
- What the hell?
Allison looked frustrated.
- I'm sorry I just need to go.
- Hah, knew you'd back out. What's your excuse this time? And all of you just run with that. What if I did that huh? What if I ran off to not talk to you guys?
- Hunter let's just leave. Please!
I'm sorry you guys I'll explain it later
They ran out.
- Where we heading?
- Alden mansion!
Noah felt uneasy. What was it? What did she remember out of nowhere?
This felt like it was gonna be a long night.
- I'm sure she's okay! Maybe she just needs some air?
Aliyah could tell Noah was worried.
He smiled and nodded.
- Yeah, probably
- She's safe with Hunter
- I know.
- Typical Rose. Runs away once more
Allison said worried that she might talk to Hunter about things she had promised not to talk about.
- She promised to tell us when she comes back, she keeps her promises, you should know that
Aliyah said annoyed
- What a fucking night!
Connor was tired. Also hungry.
- Anyone hungry? I'm starving.
- Me too
Aliyah was always up to eat
- Sandwich?
- Sure! I'll help you out
They walked to the kitchen.
- How did you know?
Noah asked Allison once they were out of the room.
- That you were going to talk to her at the lake house?
- Yes
- I heard you tell Mr.P. And I saw the way you looked at each other before she got in the car
- Looked at each other how?
- In a way she never looks at anyone and you look only at her
- I really didn't mean to hurt you
- But you did
- I can't control who I love Al. You should know that. Would you pick to love me if you could?
- Yes. In a heartbeat. There was never any other option
He looked at her. She didn't wait for him to say anything.
- But to you, that's Rose
- Yeah, she is
- Why?
- Why her?
- Yes
- Because it's her. There isn't a reason why you love someone. I just do. Always have.
But she never even acknowledged it. We never talked about it.
It wasn't her fault. She didn't even know I was planning on talking to her.
- I know
- Then why didn't you stop?
Why didn't you stop the car?
- I tried…
- No. You didn't. we both know and although she denies it, Rose knows too.
- I was mad. I wasn't thinking straight
- She shouldn't have suffered for something that was between you and me
- She didn't
- Yes she did. Because of me. And as much as you don't accept it, because of you too
- Look Noah, If I could take back time I would have stepped on that damn break, but other than that I wouldn't take back a thing
It was more between me and her then you and I. Imagine Rose picks Connor over you?
Wouldn't that drive you over the edge? Wouldn't it make you lose it?
- It would. It would break my heart, shatter it into pieces. But I only want her to be happy and to be okay. Because I love her. It's not love if you want them to be happy only with you. If you love them you want them to be happy period.
- You're saying mine isn't love?
- I'm saying you will find someone who can love you as much as you love them. Then you will know if what you feel now is love. But that isn't me.
- I know. But I still stand by my words. She will never love you like I do.
- I don't want her to.
That one hurt so she said nothing.
- What's wrong Ro?
- Let's hope nothing, Just go faster please.
After a little they were at the gates of the mansion, Rose ran out and Hunter hurried after her.
Mary opened the door.
- Where is she?
- Who Mrs. Alden? Upstairs.
- Ireeeneeeee!!!!!!
Rose shouted as she hurried up the stairs with Hunter right after her
Irene Alden was sitting outside, sipping her tea.
- I remember you saying you were never coming back here
- Why did you say that about Zoe?
- Your mother Zoe?
I don't remember saying anything about her…
- I do!
Where is she?
- And how would I know?
- You don't want to play with me tonight Irene. Is she in a hospital?
- Hospital? Why?
Hunter didn't understand what was going on, but he hoped Zoe had entered some kind of rehabilitation facility but he knew it was too far fetched
- She was in a hospital, I don't know where she is now
- Why was she in a hospital?
- Oh I thought you already knew
- So she did?
- Did what?
Hunter asked in confusion.
- You're a fucking bitch!
Rose said. She was in the verge of crying. She flipped the table.
Irene watched in horror.
Rose kneeled down to where she was sitting. Standing an inch away from Irene face she said
- If she isn't okay…if I won't find her for ..whatever reason.. I will make it my life mission to ruin all you care about so much. I have nothing left to lose. If I were you I'd start praying I find her !
Rose ran out and Hunter followed her.