"Peter! You came back," I cheer, smiling widely at the boy, his face looked a lot better, the wounds were slowly healing.

He smiles and waves, "yeah, I felt like I didn't really say thank you properly last time,"

I wave my hands at him, "don't worry, you did. Do you want anything?" I notice him reaching into his pocket, pulling out some change, "you don't have to pay, it's my treat,"

He looks up from counting his change, "no-no I should, you've given me-"

I cut him, "you really don't, now put that money back in your pocket and choose," he hesitantly does so, looking at the options.

"I'll just have a chocolate chip cupcake please," he points, as I go up to pick up his choice, he speaks up, "I wanted to ask, is it ok-ok if I sit here for a while?"

I nod, "Yeah sure kid, you can take that corner,"

The whole day, the kid was sat there, papers spread out on the table as it looked like he was doing his school work, I'd drop by and give him some treats and maybe even help with some questions.

The clock strikes 6 and we rushed to clean up the places, I was about to start packing the leftovers when Peter walked over, "you guys are closing, I should get going then, sorry if I was a bother..."

I shake my head at him, "you literally just sat there, don't see how you could've been a bother. Before you leave, you wanna pick something?"

I notice him tilt his head at one of the last cupcakes left, I had purposely left that one out, but if he wanted it, it's his, "do you want that one?"

His eyes widen as he shakes his head, "no-no, I was just looking at the name," The Experiment.

Unconsciously a fond smile makes way to my face, "yeah, it's actually new, made it today. Here you can try it," I open the box, dropping the cupcake in, "I can always make it again," Cayden will just have to wait till tomorrow.

"Are you sure?" He asks. I nod, holding the box for him to take.

He takes the box, "thank you, I'll see you then,"

Smiling at him, I wave "Sure kid, make sure you drop by,"

.

.

I announce my arrival home, only to be returned with silence, "Cayden?" I call out, looking around the kitchen, dropping the food on the counter.

"Cayden?!" I shout from the bottom of the stairs, waiting for a response, only to get silence again, no.

My heart was starting to beat faster as I ran up the stairs and into Cayden's room, the bed was neatly done and the smell of Cayden's aftershave still heavy in the room. I walk towards the closest, taking a deep breath and opening the door. Huh?

All his clothes are still here?

Confused, I go back downstairs and towards the back garden, looking through the glass door into the empty garden. Cayden?

I could feel this uncomfortable feeling slowly rising to my chest as I stood around the empty house, he can't.

"Cayden?" I called out again my voices breaking a little, I was hoping that maybe he fell asleep somewhere or... no, he can't.

Aunt Jemma called out, knocking on my door, "I'm coming in," she opens the door, taking cautious steps into my room and sitting on the edge of the bed, "are you okay?"

Still under the covers, I nod, not really sure if she'll even see me.

I hear her sigh, "Can you get up for me please," I slowly take the covers away from my face and sit up, looking down at my cupcake covers.

"Where are they?" I ask, bottom lip quivering, and shoulders dropping,

"I don't know, sweetie," I hear her say, I feel my throat tighten and vision become blurry, after a few seconds, arms were wrapped around me, pulling me into an embrace.

"She-they left," tears raced down my cheeks as I held onto her, "they left without even saying goodbye,"

They can't.

"Melody, Melody, ," I snapped out of the trance as someone was violently shaking me, my mind still foggy, I glanced up at the alarmed person.

"Mel-" before he could say anything, I crashing into him, wrapping my arms around him, "Cayden,"

Cayden stood frozen for a few seconds, before slowly bringing his arms up to hold me, "sorry, I though-" he tries saying.

"I thought you left me, without saying goodbye," I clutch onto him tighter as if he's going to disappear any second. I thought you left.

"Melody, I'm still here. I'm sorry," he slowly says, I feel his arms cradle around my head as his rest on top of mine, "I'm sorry," he repeats.

The sound of some clearing their throat breaks the moment, causing me to slowly pull away and look behind Cayden, oh...

"You alright, Kitten?" James asks, his brows furrowed as he stares at the two of us, at the same time I feel Cayden's thumb stroke my cheek.

I hadn't even realised that my cheeks were damp with tears, quickly using my sleeve, I wipe away any traces and nod, "sorry, I'm okay,"

James doesn't seem convinced but still nods, "we'll get going then, bye Kitten," he gives me a half-smile and nods at Cayden, walking out the house. What's going on?

"What happened?" I voice, looking up at Cayden, only to find him staring down at me, his expressions were unrecognisable, something new.

After a few seconds he responds, "I had a trail, they've shorted my time,"

"Oh," I say, taking a few steps back, "so how long do you have left?"

H was still staring at me, there was a glint to his eyes, "3 months,"

My eyes widen, but I quickly straighten up, "that's good, you can-"

Cayden cuts me off, his voice confident, "You seem upset,"

Distancing myself further, I turn around to the kitchen, "why would I be upset, this means you'll finally be free," going back to the food I dropped earlier, I get the food out the bag, "I picked up food on the way, can you get the plates,"

"Melody," he calls out, I choose to ignore him.

"Fine I'll get them myself," I sigh, turning around to the sink and reaching for the plates, only for Cayden to grab my wrist, "what are-"

Cayden pulls me forward and wrapping his arms around him, keeping me close, "I'm sorry, I thought It'd finish before you get back,"

Taking a deep breath, I stood there, closing my eyes and just taking in Cayden's warmth, "it's okay,"

"I won't leave you unless you want me to,"

Hey hello.

Do you guys think I should upload book 2 now or after I finish this one??

Hope you guys enjoyed! Thank you for reading, hope you guys enjoyed the chapter 💕

Stay safe guys!💕