Micah

I guess that popular saying 'if you want something done well, do it yourself' is true.

I'd have Tori kill me the next time I want to hire a private investigator. Mr Young had postponed our meeting, promising to call me back.

Mr Lyon travelled two days ago and still, I had received no call from Mr Young. These past two days, I'd been making up for all the times I'd call in absent at work. I handled Leah and Amahale's evening shifts.

I scoffed as Carl Ortega, one of the regulars of the nearby bar made his way to the counter.

"Hey peach." He smirked at me.

Peach? That's so cringe.

I rolled my eyes.

"Hey Carl. What are you doing here? I expected you to be at your second home." I flashed a smile. Trying not to sound rude was almost impossible, especially because it's this middle aged man who frequents the bar with young ladies despite having a wife and two children, one of which is my age and closest friend.

"No vodka this evening. I just want a slice of cake."

"Alright. Pick a flavor." I passed him the menu. The shop was almost empty and once the last customer left, I'd close it for the day. My feet were killing me.

"Chocolate." He pulled out his phone.

"Okie." I walked to the glassed large bowl where a variety of cake were kept.

"So,.." Carl trailed while texting on his phone.

"So?" I pass him the piece of cake, waiting for what he had to say.

"Any idea what Brianne has been up to lately."

I knew it!

Carl wouldn't just come to the coffee shop where I work as a waitress to order a piece of chocolate cake.

"I don't know Carl. She's a Twenty Four year old lady, she's been up to a lot of things."

He sighed, putting off his phone. His dark brown eyes looked tired and bored, he was dying to leave here.

"Yes I know, but she hasn't been coming home these nights, any idea where she could be?"

Brianne was definitely not missing. I spoke to her over the phone a few minutes ago, they were meeting up this evening and she was upset that I wouldn't be able to make it. Carl should probably be asking her boyfriend Luther.

"Why'd she leave?" I couldn't stop my question. Brianne had said nothing about leaving her house.

"I don't know," he shrugged. "She had a fight with her mom or something." He stated nonchalantly, his eyes had found thier way back to his phone.

"Look, if she calls you, tell her we're worried about her. She should call home. Okay?"

"Yeah, sure. Whatever Carl." He was not bothered about this whole stuff. I'm sure he couldn't wait to leave here so he could wander to the bar and drink himself to stupor.

"Thank you peach." He dropped the bill on the counter and made his way to the exit door.

"It's Micah." I smiled awkwardly to the running man.

***
It had snowed earlier in the afternoon today. The air was misty and the grounds were covered in melting snow. Had I forgot to mention? I was never really a fan of the snow.

I had just gotten off work, and it wasn't too late either. Maybe I could still meet up with my pals.

No. You're supposed to be avoiding Zion. Remember?

I sighed, kicking a small rock as my inner voice reminded me.

But, was it all worth it? I haven't seen any of them face to face since the night at the pub. I wasn't a freaking introvert. I'm an extrovert by nature, I enjoy peoples company. These days, it felt like everyone was just passing me by.

No. You have to have priorities. Focus on changing Mr Lyon's mind then everything comes after.

My life was already hard enough. Having a reasonable mind made it harder.

Screw my inner voice! Mr Lyon had travelled, this was my time to catch-up.

Screw Zion! Indifference is the best revenge.

You
Hey, mind texting me the address of where we're meeting up tonight? I've missed a lot already.
                                         -8:13pm
Luther
I thought you'd never ask;)
                                        - 8:13pm

I received the address almost instantly.

***

The familiar smell of the cheap bar, the smell of liquor and the odor of stale sweat danced  with my senses. The place was jam-packed, everyone was either on the dance floor or making out in the corner.

My eyes roamed round the bar for a good minute before I finally sighted my squad.

I made my way through the aggressively dancing crowd at the center of the club to my friends.

"Hey guys." I greeted with a smile, taking the small glass of liquor out of Brianne's hand.

She glared at me for a second before folding her arms.

"Oh look. Queen Micah finally decided to grace us with her presence." She deadpanned

"Give me a break Bri." I gulped the liquor down. "I just got off work."

"Work never took so much of your time" Zion's eyes found thier way to mine.

I just couldn't with this man. Firstly he agrees to a break up, secondly he gives my longing looks, next, he's a really good friend who comforts me when I need someone but also lies to me so he could get into my pants, next he insults me basically calling me a whore and now he's acting like he cares about what I do.

"You might as well stalk me!"

I blew off at him. Maybe I didn't need to do that.

Hell yeah! I did

"Woah chill Mic. Are you guys okay?" Luther exchanged glances between Zion and I.

Of course I was going to lie to him. I'd lie to all my friends if I had to. I couldn't let my relationship with Zion ruin the friendship.

"It's nothing." Zion answered, gulping down his liquor. His eyes reddening. "I'm going to the dancefloor." He announced,  getting off his seat aggressively.

"That's definitely not nothing." Brianne leaned in closer, her brown eyes staring at me expectantly. If there was anything she wasn't, it was a gossip but I wasn't ready to share my secrets with my friends so soon.

"It really is nothing. Zion and I just don't get along well these days. That's all."

I did it. I lied to my best friends. What an awesome person I was.

Brianne shrugged, getting off from her seat and adjusting her black trousers. "If you say so."

She was just about to leave when I called her back.

"Brianne. Mind if I have a word with you?"

Brianne glanced at me and then Luther and Tori. "Micah we are all friends. I don't think we should keep secrets from each other."

Was she really being like this?

Fine.

My gaze left my my empty glass to her eyes. "It's about your father."

And before I knew what was going on, I was pulled out of the bar.

"Did he tell you anything? What did he say? Nevermind. I don't care. When did you meet him? Where? How? Did he come alone? Was my mother there? Micah?" She bombarded me with way too many questions.

"Woah Bri." I held her hand. "Calm down."

"I can't. I can't seem to calm down. I have a lot going on."

I could understand her in a way. This was were all the parties and meet ups came in. As a means of escape from her reality.

"Why didn't you tell us about the fight with your dad?"

Tears has gathered by the sides of her eyes, threatening to fall. Her face had turned pink.

"I didn't fight with my dad." She tucked a few strands of her dirty blonde hair behind her red ears.
"I fought with my mom."

"Oh." Was my only reply. It would be best to let her talk.

"I mean, why wouldn't I? She's so frustrating and weak. I know I sound immature. I know fighting with your mom is a teenagers thing but I couldn't help it. My dad cheats on her Mic. He cheats on her and she fucking knows but does nothing." She paused, catching her breath as the tears rolled down her cheek.

"I'm twenty four and Felix is seventeen. We don't need him anymore. She can't use us as an excuse. He doesn't care about this family. He has tons of  other families out there. She doesn't want to leave because she thinks she can't get anything done without a husband!"

"My life has been a fucking rollercoaster this past month, so Fuck it! I had to move out, for my own sanity. I don't want to go back. I want to be independent."

"Oh Bri." I pulled her into a hug. I didn't know what to say. I wasn't the best at comforting people but I had to be here for my best friend. I blame myself for not noticing what she's been going through.

"B-Being independent is so hard." Her voice broke.

"You've got it better than me. I live with my married sister, her husband, thier son, my parents and my siblings." I cracked a joke as we both laughed silently.

***

The bar had reduced a little when Brianne and I returned. I learned that Tori had gotten an important call and had to leave. Zion was probably still on the dance floor. And now Luther wanted to take Brianne to his house. It was best if I didn't tag along. I'll only be a third wheel.

"Bye guys." I waved at Luther who escorted a sleepy Brianne to his car.

"I still think you should hop in Micah."

"Wha- I'll probably feel lonely when you guys start a make out session in the middle of the ride." I teased as Luther chuckled.

"It'll be good if you tag along then. You'll take the wheel."

"Nah. I don't think I'm sober enough to hold the wheel."

"Neither do I."

My smile disappeared as my brows rose at Luther.

"I'm joking. I'm joking" he burst out laughing. That cute, innocent, annoying laughter Brianne always loved.

"I still think you should tag along." He shoved his hands into his pocket.

"No thanks Corrie. I'm good." I called him by his last name.

"Make sure you call me once you're home. Okay?"

"Yeah whatever." I shrugged at Luther who gave me a small hug before getting into the car.

I waved at Luther's Mercedes Benz till it was out of sight.

Is it too late to order an Uber?

I pulled out my phone and glanced at the time.

11:46. Yep.

Who knew time flew so fast.

I had walked for a while when I realized I was on the same street as Mr Lyon's house. I didn't miss him one bit. It was nice to have piece of mind for a few days.

I tried to convince myself.

I had walked for a few minutes when I realized I had forgotten to pick up the puppy.

But Mr Lyon couldn't have meant it. Could he? He couldn't leave the innocent puppy and go to Italy. That was heartless.

Boy, who was I kidding. That was exactly what he would do. I doubt if Simone even cared about it. I bet Levi would love a pet puppy.

A normal human being would've gone home since it's so late and taken the dog tomorrow but what can I say? I'm not normal.

It's a good thing Mr Lyon had travelled.

Maybe if I ran, I'd reach the house faster? No. That was stupid. It had just started to snow again and if I ran I'd have shortness of breath.

Walk it is.

**

I had walked only a few more minutes when I heard a horn behind me. I froze in my steps. Who was this person? Did I know them? It crossed my mind for a brief second to start running but I'd be best to find out what this person wanted.

I stood still. Sweat formed on my forehead in anticipation as the car approached me very slowly which just made it creepier.

The glasses were tinted. The driver wind them down slowly. Staring at the driver, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I was still at edge a little bit but was much more relieved.

"Mabelle. What are you doing here?"

"Oh Bryson it's you."

"Yeah it's me. What are you doing here?"

I explained the whole meeting up with my friends, them having to leave early, me on my way to Mr Lyon's house to pick up the puppy I got him for his birthday. Bryson offered me a ride to Mr Lyon's house and then my house which was very hard to refuse and the fact that Mr Lyon wasn't around made it even harder.

I didn't know Bryson well enough but it was better than being kidnapped.

So, of course I accepted. Hesitantly though.

It was a good thing Mr Lyon had travelled.

💮💮💮
I realized that I don't give Micah enough times with her friend group so I decided to do this chapter dedicated to her friends. It mostly focused on Brianne. If you guys want one with an insight of all her friends lives, let me know.