As promised ~~~~~~~~Tina's POV~~~~~~~~ Where were u @ skool 2day? Hey r u still going 2 the cafe 2morrow? Where r u Ash? Hellooooooo? Plz answer I've been trying 2 reach u all weekend! I sent 6 texts, 3 calls, and 4 emails. We were supposed to meet at the cafe today! After no response came to my last text, I flopped down on my bed and sighed. After a disappointing Sunday afternoon with Ashley being a no show at the cafe, I was getting a little worried. It was unlike her to cancel, and she would have told me if she couldn't make it. I was beginning to fear the worst for Ashley. Quickly, I climbed out of bed and went outside, sprinting towards Ashley's house. My heart beat in time to my sneakers slapping on the pavement. I could feel the blood rushing in my temples, my worry for Ashley driving me on. The only thing that existed for me right now was the sidewalk and myself, the background fading to a blur, when suddenly I crashed into someone. We both went sprawling on the ground. Slowly getting up, I picked up their suitcase, then promptly dropped it as I saw who it was. "J-Jason?" I stammered. "I-I mean Luke. Sorry. Why do you have a suitcase?" "My mom died." Luke muttered. "I have to go to an orphanage now because I don't have any more family since I'm adopted and-did you call me Jason?" "Luke, you might want to sit down now. I'm serious!" I protested as I saw him grinning. "Just please sit, because this is really important." As he sat down, I continued, "Do you remember your mom? Do you had a sister? Yes? Well, I'm that sister. My mom is your mom. And your real name is Jason." Luke-or Jason-collapsed back in the chair, his mouth open in shock. "Are-are you serious?" he croaked when he finally found his voice. "Positive." I confirmed. "Now come to my house, and I'll show you to my mom. She'll recognize you in an instant." As we entered the front door, I called up to my mom. "Mom? I want you to meet someone!" My mom came down the stairs, then stopped when she saw Luke. "J-Jason?" she gasped. "Is this real? Am I dreaming? Oh, Jason, I thought I would never see you again!" Hugging her back, Luke smiled. "Yeah, but everyone calls me Luke." Weeping with joy, my mom grinned back. "Luke it is, then. I'm going to contact the orphanage and tell them I'm going to take you in." "Seriously? Thank you so much!" Luke exclaimed. "I'm going to go now…" I said, edging out of the door. I had to know where Ashley was. Finally arriving at Ashley's house, I rang the doorbell. No answer. I rang it again. No answer. Again. Still no answer. As I glanced down, I noticed a sign on the door. I bent down to look at it. Dear family and friends of the Summers, Ethan Summers and Lilah Summers have been taken into rehabilitation on account of their over exceeded alcoholic limit. We apologize for the inconvenience, and you may visit them at the proper visiting hours from 9:00 to 2:00 on all weekdays except Sunday. Sincerely, The North Shore University Hospital Peering closer at the sign, I noticed a scrap of paper taped to it, fluttering in the breeze. Tina, I had to do it. I'm sorry, but I couldn't live with them like this. They were planning on killing someone! I left an anonymous note at the hospital and came back just long enough to stick this paper on the door. I wanted to stay, but I couldn't. I know you told me I was always welcome, but I couldn't just show up at your doorstep expecting you to take me in. I want to thank you for being a great friend. You have no idea how much it meant to me that you were always there for me, always supporting me when I believed no one else cared about me. I could write about all the things I'm grateful for, but I don't have the time-or the paper-for it. I have escaped with a few belongings to forage a living for myself. This is probably the last time you will hear from me, and I have gone to a neighboring city so no one will see me in restaurants. I'm sorry, but I can't bear to live in an orphanage. Goodbye, -Ashley I stared at the paper on my hands in disbelief. Ashley? Gone? Run away? It just wasn't possible. But in my heart, I knew it was. This was inevitable. Ashley was no longer a part of my life. In a strange city she knows nothing about. Alone.
And they mean that she won't be able to make any friends if she's homeschooled But their version of homeschooled is hiring a private and very expensive tutor…