Chapter 17

First week of Eva's absence went by with other members of Alex's group scolding and blaming him. As they were already fond of Eva and thought her as their own sister. 

"She would have only been exposed to danger if she was still following me around." Alex shrugged them off with this statement every time they brought up her. 

"Oh yeah? And you think we wouldn't be able to protect her? Dude you took her responsibility, why can't you see the things through once you've started it?" 

Jeremy clenched his jaw barely trying to keep himself from punching his friend. He was already fed up with Alex's actions now. Just when they thought he was changing for better, he had to prove them wrong. 

"First of all, she is not my responsibility, in fact she never was. She was the one who came onto me, I was not the one to run after her." 

Alex retorted. 

"And if you like her to such an extent that you are fighting with your friend then why not go see her. She doesn't live that far from here." Alex continued. 

"Oh, wow is that your response now? Really?" Jeremy scoffed not believing what his friend just said. It was the least thing he expected from Alex. 

"She is not there. In fact, we can't even track her." Thomas added as if the ongoing riot between Alex and Jeremy was not enough. 

"So, what am I supposed to do? Maybe she is on a vacation or something. What do you expect from her? And why are we arguing about someone who is not a part of the gang while the Austin matter is not solved." Alex massaged the side of his temples, he had enough on his plate than to worry about someone who just barged into his life without his will. 

"Exactly it's because of Austin we are worried for her. What if he had done something to her and we don't know?" 

Jaden raised one of his eyebrows, expecting a good answer from Alex. 

"You think Austin is the type to keep quiet about his stupid acts. If he had done something to her, we would have known. That's the least thing you need to worry about."

"Bu—"

"I don't want to hear about this anymore. This conversation is over. Just focus on your job and track down that dog."

Alex cut off Jeremy's words. 

Just when they were about to retort.

"Did I make it clear enough?" 

Alex demanded with a stern voice making them nod. 

"Good, now get to work." 

He said before leaving the place. 

All three of them, Jaden, Jeremy, and Thomas stared at each other before sighing in sync. They had one hell of a stubborn person as their friend and their leader. 

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"How are you coping with your new school Eva? Oh, now it's Ms. Sarah not Eva." 

Eric teased Eva through the phone, earning himself a "stupid" from her.

But not soon after that both of them broke out into fits of laughter. 

Eric and Eva were still in contact with each other and had their late-night talks. Distance never bothered them, they were still good friends, nonetheless. 

Eva had joined a new school there with a new identity and it was all was Eric's idea.

It's good to have a resourceful friend. 

"I am doing good here, except for getting home sickness every now and then. Tell me about there, how are you? How are the classes going on? Getting lonely from the fact I am not there?" 

Eric chuckled at his best friend's silly interrogation. 

"I am doing just fine, your highness. But I do miss a certain idiot beside me in the class." 

Eric said in a playful tone. 

"Oh, I think your tongue slipped, you meant to say you miss the most amazing person in the world, right?" 

Eva hyped herself earning herself a snort from Eric. 

"Anyways, jokes aside. Tell me if it's getting hard for you, okay? I will always be there." 

"You have done enough. Don't worry about me and get yourself a girlfriend." Eva giggled. 

"About that…I, ummm…don't freak out, okay?" Eric averted his eyes from the phone screen, he sounded totally nervous. 

"Don't tell me, it's what I think it is." 

Eva widened her eyes. 

"You got yourself a girlfriend."

"I found someone I am interested in." 

Both of them said in a sync. 

"What? No! I don't have a girlfriend yet."

Alex denied vehemently. 

"Oh yet? So, when are you going to confess? Mr. Loverboy." 

"I need some time, okay?" Eric demanded. 

"Ptff, okay. So, tell me more about her, how is her personality?" Eva interrogated further. 

"I don't know. I have never spoken to her. I don't even know her name. I just see her in the cafe where I go regularly." 

Eric brooded over the fact. 

"Well, it's okay. You can take your time. As for her name tomorrow. Just make sure you don't scare her away." Eva laughed at her own words. 

Eric rolled his eyes.

"Remind me why am I even friends with you." 

"Because I am the best and you love me." 

Eva had a cheeky smile plastered on her face. 

Eric shook his head, not being able to digest what his friend just said but best or not he loved her nonetheless, isn't that what friends are for?