Possessive crush

It's been thirteen months now. That's how long it's been since I lost contact with Felix. That day, when he was taken away by his mother, the trace of him disappeared. I couldn't contact him in any way — neither me nor my friends.

Not a day goes by when I don't think about him. I worry about him and wonder if anything bad has happened to him. I will never forget his frightened gaze with which he begged me for help.

The real predator is his mother. He and I are her victims.

I want to find out that he is okay. I would like to find him and get him as far away from his toxic family as possible, because it is solely their fault that they have put him in this condition.

I am still a teenager. I'm only eighteen years old. Furthermore, I am unable to do anything. I'm stuck thinking only that a miracle will happen, and I'll see him again.

However, there is nothing to believe in miracles....

- Selena! - Sitting in the garden in front of the house, I raise my eyes and look at my friend, who is standing behind the fence. - Mike has hired a detective. I want to find my friend.

I energetically rise from my chair and run up to her. I open the gate and let her in.

- Are you serious? Mike has spent all the money he has earned so far to hire a detective? - I open my eyes wide, unable to believe what she is saying to me.

- At this point we can only count on his support. He is our only hope.

My heart is beating like crazy. I don't know if it's more from excitement or fear of what I might find out.

- So is there a chance that we will find Felix?

- Yes.

I take her in my arms and hug her tightly, shedding tears of happiness.

- I just hope he's okay," I whisper.

- Now all that remains is for us to wait for news from Mike....

*

It's sixteen o'clock. Today's heat is giving people a hard time, so my friends and I are sitting in a café where there is pleasant air conditioning. We eat ice cream and sip iced Americano, talking about everything.

I smile slightly when I see Mike embrace Eve's hand under the table. There is no better view for me. I rejoice in their happiness. Since they've been together, they've both changed a lot. They are definitely soulmates.

I pull my phone out of my purse and answer the call, which is from my mother.

- Selena, where are you?

- I'm sitting in a coffee shop with Eve and Mike, why do you ask? - I look at my friends.

- I would appreciate it if you could get home early. Your grandparents have arrived and are sorry they didn't find you.

My lips stretch into a smile at this news.

- So message them that I'll be back within the hour. I'm pleased that they finally decided to visit us.

- We look forward to seeing you.

- Yes, I'll see you later, Mom," I say, then put the phone back on the table. With apologetic eyes, I look at my friends, who finally stop chirping to each other and pay attention to me. - Forgive me, but I must leave you alone. My grandparents paid an unexpected visit to my house and are sad not to find me.

- We understand, but it's too bad you can't stay with us longer.

- We'll make up for it another time. See you later," I say, rising from the chair. I grab my phone and, walking past them, put my hand on my friend's shoulder, then leave the café.

After going outside, the hot air is gushing at me. This is probably the worst feeling when you leave an air-conditioned room and have to agonize on the way back in such heat.

I'm standing at the bus stop, looking at my watch. Right after the heat, the worst thing is a late bus, especially when you feel like you're starting to cook in the sun.

I forget about this nightmare when my attention is caught by Sebastian, who is standing next to the bus stop. I walk up to him to say hello. Maybe things didn't work out for him with my friend, but it was a puppy crush and they were completely incompatible.

- Hi," I say, snapping him out of his thoughts, as he looks surprised at first.

- Oh, Selena, hi," he replies, forcing a smile. - Today's heat is unbearable, isn't it?

I can see that something is wrong with him. He is behaving strangely.

- Not only is the fever terrible, but the bus is not coming. It can't get any worse.

- Believe it can... - he says in a sad voice. - I'm just back from the hospital. My mother is seriously ill.

I can see the pain on his face when he says these words. I am unable to think about what I would feel if this happened to either of my parents.

- I don't know what to say... I feel truly sorry for you, Sebastian.

- Mom is everything to me. I want to stay strong and motivate her to fight, but I'm slowly giving up on myself. I can't imagine if I lost her now...

I put my hand on my colleague's shoulder and looked at him with a caring gaze as I noticed tears on his cheeks.

- You have to stay strong, for her first and foremost.

- I try, but I'm too overwhelmed by it. - The boy sighs and I see that his attention is caught by an oncoming bus. - I should rest, but I don't know if I can squint.

- Take care, Sebastian.

I watch him as he gets on the bus and takes the vacant seat by the window. With a blank stare, he looks somewhere in the distance, and my heart steals. I feel truly sorry for him.

*

The presence of my grandparents releases a joy in me that I haven't felt in a long time. Sitting and chatting with them, I take a bite of the sweets they brought me. They reminisce about my childhood, talking about how adorable I was as a child, and now I'm already a young lady.

- Are you so pretty Selena, or do you already have a bachelor? - The question asked by my grandmother, makes the smile come off my face. I remind myself of Felix, of how strong my feelings for him were when we were together. It makes me realize how much I miss him.

- I don't have anyone. Now the most important thing for me is to study. - This answer clearly pleases Grandpa, who nods.

The conversations are endless. I am asked literally everything, especially about school and plans. Hours pass in this way, and in the late afternoon my parents go for a walk with my grandparents. I stay at home, laying down on the couch in the living room and browsing social networks.

A newly published photo by Eve, puts a smile on my face. They are at the river, and she is kissing him on the cheek.

My interest in them is interrupted when a call comes in on my phone from an unknown number. For a moment, I wonder if I should answer it, guessing that it might be spam, but curiosity wins out and I slide the green handset.

- Pardon?

I can only hear the noise of passing cars. At first, I thought it's a mistake and someone just dialed the wrong number. I'm already about to hang up when his voice echoes in my head.

- Who are you?

My heart begins to beat faster. I rise to a sitting position, wide-eyed looking at the wall. I am excited and terrified at the same time.

- Felix? - I ask in a quiet, uncertain voice.

- Who are you? Why did I remember your number so suddenly?

Tears flowing into my eyes, I put my hand to my mouth, controlling myself so as not to burst out crying.

- Felix, where are you? What is happening to you?

- You did not answer me: who are you?

A hundred thousand questions arise in my mind. What is happening to him? Where is he? Why doesn't he remember me? Is he all right? Is he healthy?

- I am someone you miss very much. It's me, Selena, the person your mother took you away from a year ago.

- Can I trust you?

- Most in the world. Felix, what's going on? Where are you? How can I help you?

Again there is silence. It lasts for about half a minute before he speaks.

- I don't know where I am. I am wandering because I ran away. I don't remember anything, and I'm searching for help, and your number came into my thoughts when I realized I couldn't make it on my own. I have nowhere to go.

Tears stream down my cheeks as I get off the couch and run toward the hallway to put on my shoes.

- What city are you in?

- Los Angeles.

- Look around you, maybe you can spot the street you are on.

- Can I really trust you?

- One hundred percent. I swear, Felix. I am someone who will give my life to keep you safe.

The boy reads the name on one of the buildings, and I write it down on my phone.

- Is there a safe haven where you can wait for me for a few hours? I am located in another city, and it will take me some time to get to you.

- No matter how long, I'll wait at the phone booth if I can trust you.

- I will appear there as soon as possible. I promise.

Running out of the house, I immediately call Mike, who has a motorcycle. The downside is that Eve won't be able to ride with us. At first, my friend doesn't understand the words I say to him, because I sound chaotic. When I finally take a deep breath and much more calmly tell him about the phone call I just received, he announces that he is going to me, only to explain to Eve first what it's all about.

I inform my parents that I am leaving home because a friend needs my help. I don't tell them where I'm going, but that I'll be back late and will be in touch with them. At first, they don't like it, so having no time to explain, I announce that at most they will punish me when I return, but it's an urgent matter that I can't ignore.

I realize I'm going to be screwed all the more because I hang up in the middle of Mom's argument, but just then Mike pulls up. I put on my helmet and climb onto the motorcycle, embracing him at the waist.

- Be prepared for it to be a high-speed trip.

- Drive as fast as you can. I want to be next to him already. I would like to see him.