Lily texted at 5:21 am. The light woke me up. Not Elias though. He sleeps like a log. That's when I noticed something

Rory was usually staring out the window, or pretending to sleep, for my comfort (so that I didn't feel like someone was watching me), or reading. Usually reading.

They were neither of those. In fact, they weren't anywhere. They were gone. 

Chills trickled down my spin, but I told myself Rory was somewhere else. Right? They're not attached to this loft. Are they? No. Yeah. 

I checked the phone. The light burned my eyes. Blinking a little bit, I opened the message app. 

Today, 5:21:

I need to come over. Outside ur house at 6:30. Don't wake anyone up. 

The audacity. 

Text someone at five in the morning and say 'I'm coming over. Oh yeah it's in an hour.' She could have at least said why. 

I yawned. It was too early for this. What was so important it had to be discussed at 6:30? I stretched and got up. Rory's book was still on his bed. I picked it up.

A Mango-Shaped Space

No. Way. 

That was my favorite book! I read it in the 5th grade. I don't read as much now. Some poetry maybe. Every so often.

I opened the book. Inside of it, there was a note.

Dear Odila,

         I can't explain, but I have to leave. It's not my choice. I love you. Always.

                                                                                                          Rory

What the-

Excuse me?

My cousin is leaving and my best friend is coming over. Both at inappropriate times, both out of the blue.

What is going on?