We had finished cleaning up the house. We did a good job, I'll have to admit. Everything was clean and intact, except for one very obvious thing: where was Buddy?

"Where is he?" Jay said, nervously running a hand through his hair. "I-I don't even remember the last time I saw him today."

I bit my lip. "Have you checked the entire house?"

He nodded. "Did you look in the basement?"

"Yeah, but I don't know how good of a job I did. You know the house better than me."

So we went downstairs, and checked every corner, every nook, every crevice of every room. Buddy was nowhere in sight. I'd grown to love that dog, and I'd be devastated if he was gone for good. I could only imagine what Jay might be feeling right now.

"Does he have a microchip?" I asked.

Jay shook his head. "I don't know why, but we've never gotten around to doing it."

I sighed, and sat down on the floor next to him.

Jay buried his head in his hands. "This is all my fault." He mumbled.

I didn't know what to say. "No one can blame you."

He sighed, and leaned against the wall. "I've been fucking everything up lately."

"What do you mean by that?"

He looked up at me before opening his mouth to speak. He then seemed to change his mind. "Never mind."

"Do you think someone took him?" I asked. I wanted to know what he meant by that, but Jay clearly didn't want to tell me. I realized that someone actually could've taken Buddy. There were at least a hundred people here. Anyone could've taken him.

"I don't know, why don't you ask everyone that was here?" He snapped.

I was taken aback. "I'm just trying to help."

He didn't speak for a few moments. "I- I'm sorry." He eventually said, like he wasn't used to apologizing. "Just I've had him since I was a kid. I love that dog."

I nodded. "Maybe we should look outside."

Jay followed me upstairs and into the backyard. We had managed to clean it up before.

"Buddy!" Jay called out. I almost expected the golden retriever to come bounding out of the bushes, but he was nowhere in sight. I tried to contain the nausea I began feeling and my unsteady heartbeat.

We searched the entire back yard, and even the street. Hopefully we'd find him, or someone else would.

Unsuccessful, we went around the front of the house. I noticed a car that hadn't been there before. A run down Toyota painted dark blue was parked in the driveway.

"Who is that?" I asked, but my questions were soon answered when Jacob stepped out of the car. He waved at us before he opened the back door. Out came Buddy, wagging his tail and bounding over to Jay and me.

I was overcome with a sense of relief. I had no clue how long Buddy had been gone, but I was grateful he was here. Jay, who was previously visibly upset, grinned as Buddy slobbered his whole face.

After a few Moments, Jay stood up and looked at Jacob. His expression darkened.

"Why'd you kidnap my dog?" I looked at Jay. Maybe Jacob was the one who had found him?

"I didn't." Jacob said, his voice shaky. "I stopped by and realized you were throwing a party. I didn't want Buddy to get hurt, so I took him home for the night."

Jay ran a hand though his dark hair. "You could've told me before you took him!"

"You were nowhere to be found!"

"Listen, Jacob, you fu-"

"Stop." I placed a hand on his arm. "He did the right thing. Had he not, who knows what would've happened." I said. "Thank you, Jacob."

Jay rolled his eyes.

"Let's exchange numbers in case something like this happens again." Jacob says, to me instead of Jay.

I shrugged and gave him my digits.

He nodded before going back to his car and driving away.

"Don't talk to that creep." Jay said once Jacob drove away. He followed the car with his gaze until it was out of sight.

I wasn't really planning to, but now I was curious as to why Jay was saying this.

"Why not?"

"Just don't. He's weird. And-" he began, but stopped, like he didn't want to tell me.

"And what?" I asked. "Just tell me."

"It's nothing." Jay said, standing up. "Just watch out."

"He said the same thing about you to me." I recalled my first day here, and what Jacob had warned me about. Jay halted in his tracks.

"That's what everyone thinks of me." He said, biting his lip. "At least I don't try to hide it. Just watch yourself, Alina, he's not who you think he is." With that, he proceeded inside, Buddy at his heels.

I thought about what he said. Jacob seemed a bit introverted, but he was nice enough. Plus, how could a shy boy like him be dangerous and up to no good? I didn't know what to think. A few moments later, I went inside as well.

I realized I was still wearing my pajamas, so I went upstairs and changed into regular clothes. Even though it wasn't as hot as Texas, Connecticut summers were quite warm, so I slipped on a pair of flowy shorts and a tank top. I decided to go past the trees in the backyard. I didn't really get to look around when I first got here, and yesterday it was dark.

It was just woods: nothing more. They were beautiful though. The sunlight streamed in through the canopy of leaves, and I could hear the sounds of birds calling to each other, adn faintly, the sound of a stream.

I went back inside, and debated on inviting Britt over. Hopefully Jay wouldn't mind, as the Von Barons had allowed me to have a friend over if I wished.

When I made it inside Jay was slipping on a pair of shoes in the entryway.

"I'm going to a friend's house."

"Alright." I nodded. "How long are you going to be gone?" Hopefully I wouldn't have to stay alone for long in this huge house for too long.

"All night probably." He said nonchalantly.

"All night?" I squeaked. I'd have to spend the night here all by myself, in this huge mansion?

He nodded, and noticed my expression. "You'll be fine." He said, sounding annoyed. "I do it all the time."

"That's different. You live here."

"So?" He scoffed. "Stop acting like a baby."

"I didn't even say anything!" I protested. But I was kind of scared to be here alone.

He rolled his eyes and did that cute thing that he does when he pushes his hair back with his hand. "Just don't open the door to anyone. I've already told the maids and any workers that the have these two days off while my parents are gone. Alina, don't worry, I'll be at the friend's house until early morning. Then I'll come back."

I wondered who this 'friend' was, and why he was spending the night at their place. But it really wasn't any of my business. I nodded and said bye to Jay as he left, and closed the door behind him. Even though the gates would be locked and there was security in the neighborhood, I still ran forward to lock the door. Buddy ran up to me and began licking my hand. At least I had him, and maybe Britt if she could come. Maybe this night wouldn't be so bad after all.

It was one pm and I had plenty of time to spare. I decided I'd call Britt and ask her to sleep over. I did not want to spend this night alone. Plus, it'd be nice to catch up with my old best friend.

My phone was on my bed, so I threw myself onto the soft comforter before picking up my phone and calling Britt. She answered fairly quickly and I asked her if she wanted to spend the night. She said she'd love to and when she should come.

"Now, I guess." I replied. "And at the security gate, tell them you're going to the Von Baron household."

"Alright." She said. I'd already told her the Von Barons weren't home, that they were on a trip. "Is Jay home?" She asked.

"Nope." I laughed. "He's at a friend's house for the night."

"Aw, I was hoping I'd get to see him. He is cute, after all." I laughed. "And I doubt that's a friend." Britt added.

We talked for a bit more before Britt hung up. I'd see her soon, and I really hoped the Von Barons wouldn't mind. I mean, if throwing a party and having drunken teenagers stay all night was okay, I'm sure there would be no problem if Britt stayed.

Soon enough, the phone rang, and it was security saying I had a visitor. I told them to let Britt in. She later texted me to open the gate, so I put my shoes back on and headed outside. There she was, in a white BMW, waiting at the gate. I grinned before jogging over and punching in the digits to open the gate. I'm sure there was a way to do this from inside of the house, I just didn't know how. Britt went in and the gates closed behind her car. I jogged back up the driveway and Britt followed at a slow and steady pace.

She parked and stepped out. Her long brown hair was in a braid similar to mine, and I noted that she was wearing jeans.

"Aren't you hot?" I said.

"Duh," she said. "I don't know why I thought black jeans were a good idea."

"Anyways, welcome to my temporary crib!" I said. Britt laughed and followed me inside.

She glanced around. "This house is really nice."

"Don't you live in the same neighborhood?" I asked.

"Yeah, but I live all the way at the beginning of the street. My house is not as grand as this one." By now, Buddy had realized we were inside. He ran up to us, wagging his tail, and began licking Britt. She laughed and began stroking his fur.

"Who's this little guy?" She bent down and Buddy licked her nose.

"That's Buddy." I said. I turned around and locked the door before heading further inside. Britt followed me upstairs and into my room. She set her bag down on the floor before laying down on my bed.

"I've missed you." She said. "I had no idea where you went. It wasn't until my mom told me a day later that you moved that I realized I might never see you again."

Now that she said that, I didn't recall a proper goodbye with my former best friend. "I'm sorry. But, on the bright side, I got to see you again. It's almost like I never left."

Britt grinned. "I guess." She leapt up. "Have you been inside of his room?" She wiggled her brows and smiled mischievously.

I bit my lip. "It doesn't feel right to go in there."

"Come on Alina." Britt rolled her eyes. "Aren't you curious?"

Maybe I was. I wondered if he had any pictures, trophies. I didn't know what Britt was thinking about, but I was curious as to see what his life was like.

We left my room and went into Jay's. I pushed open the white wooden door and looked inside. The walls were painted blue and all of the furniture was dark. There were about two posters on the wall. Jay's room had a bookcase, which had quite a few books on it. There was a desk in the corner, with a desktop computer on it, along with a bunch of papers. I expected his room to be messier. Even the bed was made to perfection. The room set up was somewhat similar to mine, except more personalized.

The entire room smelled like him. The faintest tinge of cologne, laundry detergent, and fresh-ness. I didn't know how to describe it, but it was a good smell.

I walked over to the bookshelf. There were quite a few picture frames. I looked at a photo that caught my eye. A young boy, who I assumed was Jay, stood wearing a lacrosse uniform. A middle aged woman with blonde hair and light eyes had her arm wrapped around him. Jay looked just like her, but with the same dark hair his father had. But that was not his mom. His mom greeted me on my first day here. I was confused. I set the photo down.

"Come on, Britt, let's go downstairs." This felt wrong. I took one last look before Britt and I walked out and I closed the door carefully before descending downstairs, and into the basement.

"Alina, guess what we're doing tonight?" Britt said, her green eyes scanning the area.

I let out a laugh. "What?"

"Movie night!" Britt exclaimed.

I had forgotten all about the movie theater. "Definitely!" I agreed. I had dreaded this night, but now I knew I was going to have fun.

Britt and I spent the whole afternoon catching up- talking about school, friends, the move, what I'd missed, and everything else.

The sky was now dark, and I could see a few stars, their white glow contrasting against the black night sky. I made sure the back door leading out to the backyard was locked before going downstairs. Britt and I had already changed into pajamas and we were ready to begin watching a movie.

Buddy came down with us and lay down on the floor beside us. Britt and I used blankets, and lay down on the floor as well. We figured it'd be more comfortable to stretch our limbs on the ground rather than sit in the seats.

We found the remote and after a bit of confusion, we got the tv working. It was huge, and I knew we'd have a fun night. We decided on horror. I wasn't really scared of the movie itself, I just felt like I'd be jumpy all night, but in the end, it seemed like the best choice.

Britt and I decided to make popcorn first. We went back upstairs, and after a bit of searching, we found popcorn and two large bowls. Buddy went upstairs with us. Everywhere we were, he was there as well. Not that I minded. I actually enjoyed his company.

"So what's it like, living with Jay?"

I looked at Britt. "It's a pain!" I laughed. "He can be so rude at times, but occasionally, he'll be really sweet. I just can't keep up with it sometimes. We'll bicker one moment then have fun the next."

Britt just laughed. "He's been an asshole since freshman year, when I first met him."

The popcorn was now ready, and as I divided the contents of the bag into the bowl, I asked "does he have a girlfriend?"

Britt shook her head, the loose baby hairs flying free. "He doesn't date. He hasn't. Ever."

"Really?" I asked, grabbing a handful of popcorn from the bowl.

"Yeah. It's not a surprise, though, he's with a different girl every night."

Was Jay really that bad? He could be rude sometimes, well, a lot of the time, but all I've been hearing were bad things from people. I changed the subject. "Come on, let's go back downstairs."

We began watching the movie, and ever so often I jumped or even screamed. Britt laughed at my expense. She seemed totally fine, while I was paranoid and kept looking over my shoulder. I wasn't doing that before, so I assumed the movie had rattled my nerves.

We went back upstairs after the movie. It was nearing midnight, and we were both tired, so after brushing our teeth, Britt and I passed out on the bed. Buddy lay at the foot of the bed. My eyes were closing when I heard a knock at the door.

I shot up out of bed and as did Britt. We both looked at each other. Maybe it was the maids?

It was midnight, and Jay told them not to come. There were only a few people who knew the codes to the gate, and I doubt that security would just let anyone through.

I immediately thought about Jacob, and how Jay had warned me about him.

"Do we open it?" I whispered. It was dark, and I could barely make out the hallway. The house was eerie. Buddy stood up and let out a bark. I immediately jumped out of bed and petted his head.

"Shh." I whispered.

My heart was pounding and Britt looked just as scared. I guess she knew the trivial task of getting here, so she was scared as well.

It could be the Von Barons, or Jay, back early, but I doubted it. For some reason, I thought it was Jacob. Britt and I tiptoed into the hall. I held my phone in my shaking hand. I looked at Britt, before hesitantly turning on the flashlight. We left Buddy in the bathroom upstairs, for we were scared that he would make too much noise. Plus we didn't want him to get in the way or get hurt.

We stood at the top of the stairs. The door was right there, and the doorknob kept jiggling. Then, the person behind the door managed to work the lock. Before we had a chance to react, the door swung open.