11. Chapter 11

It took me hours to fall asleep after finding Jinx in the bathroom. I kept overplaying everything she did and how I broke my walls for her. I've only wanted her. It should've been her the first time, not some random chick at a party that took advantage of me. I'll never forgive myself for lowering my guard at a party.

I lie awake on the couch as Ace snores like nothing bothers him. I'm tempted to give the fucker a kick and wake him up. But he hardly sleeps, and I know he needs this, but something in my mind flashes with a warning. I get up and see Edgar hopping around near the front door.

"What's the matter, my man?"

"Kraa, kraa."

"Come on, let's get you back into bed. Jinx wouldn't like you getting yourself into a hissy for nothing."

I lean down and pick him up, and I swear he glares at me like I did something wrong. For a bird, he has some attitude on him, and it's no wonder he and Jinx get along so well. They are made for each other. I drop him off in his box and head for Jinx's bedroom. The first thing I noticed was that the room was quiet. She's always up before us.

"Jinx?" I call out, heading toward her bed. I reach for her blanket but stop short. I swing around, facing the bathroom, but it's empty.

I race back into the main area, kicking Ace awake. He jolts up, arms swinging, looking for somebody to hit.

His eyes meet mine. "What's going on?" He demands.

"Jinx is missing. That's what's going on. Did Maddox take her to school?" I dart around the room, trying to find my phone. This isn't like her; she always tells us the plan.

"I sent her a text. Anything from Maddox?"

I wave my phone at him. "Dude, I just found my phone." I shoot Maddox a brief message without freaking him out.

"Where could she have gone? She knows not to leave without one of us." His voice shook with fury, and I feel sorry for whoever steps in his way today.

I pace her small kitchen, thinking of all the places she could have gone. Yesterday was tiresome for her, so I don't blame her for escaping.

"She hasn't replied, what about Maddox?" He looks at me with desperation in his eyes.

I slowly shake my head. I have no idea where Maddox or Jinx are. I don't want to think of all the possibilities, or I'll start falling apart. "I'm gonna run down to Maddox's place and see if he's there. Call Spencer. Maybe he knows."

I fling open the door and bolt down the hall. My heart pounds beneath my rib cage as I fly down the stairs. Why can't this place have an elevator? What if her stalker caught up with her? Would she have met him without us? No, I don't think she would've; at least, I don't think she would.

I bang on Maddox's door loud enough to wake the entire floor. "Maddox, come on, man. Wake up." I enter his door code and slip into another disaster. I should've known he would self-destruct when he left last night. One of us should've gone with him.

The sight of him lying on the couch breaks my heart, and a bottle of Jack sits on the table, empty. I inch closer, watching his chest rise. I release a tight breath, knowing today isn't the day I lose my best friend.

"Maddox, I swear you will kill me one day," I whisper.

I clamp my hand on his shoulder, shaking him awake. He extended a hand, and I blocked it before he could punch me in the face. "M, it's me. Ash. You're safe."

I hold his hand, and his eyes grow distant as if he is seeing things from the past. The things he went through growing up don't naturally go away when you get older. I should've known to wake him gentler. His eyes search mine while he comes back.

"Ash?" he croaked.

I squeeze his hand. "Yeah, man, it's me."

"I fucked up again." His eyelids drift closed. "I'm sorry, I let everyone down. I shouldn't be here."

"Maddox, you didn't let anyone down. We had no idea that would happen, and you aren't a fortune teller. You can't always blame yourself when things go wrong."

He opens his eyes. "I'm cursed, Ash. You should know this by now."

"You aren't. If that were true, you wouldn't have Atticus, nor would I still. Now come on, we have trouble in paradise."

He slowly pulls himself up with a groan, and that hangover is going to be a killer today. And once I tell him about Jinx, he's going to lose his shit.

"What's going on?" He pushes his fingers through his brunette hair.

I bite down on my lower lip, trying to figure out the best way to deliver this news. Rip it off like a Band-Aid. "Jinx is missing; she's not answering her phone, and she never left a clue where she would've gone."

His head snaps up. "She never mentioned anything to me. Have you called her dad?" His eyes darted across my face.

I didn't even think about calling Prescott, but do I want to get him worried? She couldn't leave the school grounds unless she found a ride from somebody else. But that would be a last resort—I hope.

"Her dad doesn't know anything that's happening with her stalker friend, and I don't want to be the one to drop that news."

"You think this has something to do with Unknown?"

I pick the bottle of Jack up and walk to the kitchen sink. "Fuck, I don't know. I'm trying to think of all the possibilities and praying that it isn"t the one."

"I'll change, and then we can head out."

Me: Any news?

I hate not knowing anything, and Ace is shitty at updates. He better have called Spencer.

Ace: Nothing. Did she have an early class that we didn't know about?

Me: I don't think so. She usually tells us everything.

Ace: I say we check the school; she has to be there.

Me: I'll meet you outside in 10

As I wait for Maddox, I do a quick clean-up. He doesn't need to live in this mess. I wish there were more I could do for him. Until he is ready, all I can do is show my support.

When we walk out of the dorm, Atticus is sitting on the bench waiting for us. When he notices us, he nods his head solemnly, getting up and walking away. I feel bad for him as well. He finally got Jinx back, and now she's missing. I can't imagine what's running through his head.

Maddox and I take off after him, heading for the main building. You can't overlook a tiny chick in all-black. I tried calling her again, only for it to ring and go to voicemail. She's making this worse for herself. I already feel bad once Atticus gets ahold of her. Or when we all get our hands on her, the punishment will break her.

Students are milling around the front entrance, whispering to each other. When they see us, they back away, growing quiet. We're dicks, but not that big of ones. Entering the school, the silence only follows. The hair on the back of my neck lifts the further we move; I tuck my hands into my jean pockets, flexing my fingers against my thigh as I walk.

"Why is everyone so quiet?" Maddox addresses.

"Fuck if I know, but it's pissing me off." Atticus glares at a couple hanging around the office. They make no attempt to move.

Whatever happened, the news traveled fast. What I don't understand is why we don't know yet. Does this have something to do with Cam? If so, then the Coach should've told us something by now. I don't like this at all.

"We need to talk to Prescott now." I don't wait for them to follow.

Florence is typing away and doesn't hear me enter. Today, she's wearing a pinstripe suit with a white shirt, and I must say it's giving me Beetle Juice vibes. I tap the desk, and she smiles with delight at me.

"Good morning. Prescott isn't in yet. You can wait out here if you wish." She points to the seat behind me.

"That's alright. Do you know where he is by chance?"

"He had a morning meeting in the boardroom. I do believe the meeting is over."

I turn toward the guys to see what they want to do. I have to hold myself back from knocking on every class door to find her. Maddox pulls his phone out, a last-ditch attempt. With a roll of his eyes, he places his phone back in his pocket.

"Florence, can you find out what class Odette has?" Ace inquired.

"I can. Is something the matter?"

"No, she just forgot something, and I can't remember which class she said she would be in."

Florence types away, and my body tingles with anticipation. This will only work if she's in a class. If not, I have no idea where to look. I feel completely useless.

"It says she's in Musicology. Do you know where that is?" Her eyes lifted to meet mine. "I wouldn't interrupt her if she's in there. You all know how much music is significant to her."

"Yeah, thanks, Florence."

She's right, no matter how much we're pissed at her. We can't fuck with her career, she needs it to get out of this shitty town, and I hope Atticus can see the same picture I can.

"Now what?" I ask.

"We head to her class. I don't give a shit. I need to know she's there."

Never mind, he doesn't give a shit.