Hi you guys! I know it's been awhile since I've updated. School is crazy, but I finally feel inspired to publish another chapter. Hopefully I can get these up quicker from now on! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I'm so happy that you guys like it! I'll try my best to make sure that continues!

It was nearly lunchtime when Ricky arrived to school the next day. Normally, he would've stayed at home because the day was almost over. In fact, upon seeing his bloodshot eyes, disheveled hair, and pale face his foster mother had insisted on it, but he managed to waive her off . He didn't care about his appearance today. He didn't even care that he might get in trouble for being late. The dream he had the night before left him anxious. He couldn't stop wondering about its meaning or why he was he letting it bother him so much. All he really knew was once he saw Amy he would be free to get a good night's sleep and the sick feeling that had settled in his stomach as a result of the nightmare would disappear. His eyes searched the crowd of students who were gathering in the halls to prepare for lunch. She had to be here. There was no sign of her though. His first thought was to find Ben. Of course! Ben would know where she was. He immediately began to make his way through the crowd almost running into Adrian.

"Whoa", she said putting a hand out to stop him.

"Oh sorry", he mumbled trying to pass her.

She quickly grabbed his arm. "Wait, are you okay?"

"Yeah", Ricky said giving her the best smile he could muster, "Why wouldn't I be?"

She took a moment to survey his unkempt appearance, "You just look...not yourself", she finished in a obvious attempt to be nice.

"I didn't sleep well last night."

Her eyes lit up in response, "You sleep fine with me".

"I don't have time for this Adrian", he said hoping to avoid whatever invitation she was trying to send his way. There was only one thing on his mind right now. "Have you seen Amy?"

She looked taken aback by his rejection. "No. Why do you care", she snapped.

"Forget it", he said rolling his eyes and turning away from her.

She caught up with him, "I just meant that I thought you'd be asking about Grace since she is your girlfriend", she said with an emphasis on the words "your" and "girlfriend" as if Ricky needed to be reminded.

"I have other friends."

"I didn't know you considered Amy Juergens a friend." The bitter tone in her voice was obvious.

He stopped walking to face her. A hint of a smile played across his lips. "What are you jealous now?"

"Yes, because I'm dying to have your baby at 16 and screw up the rest of my life", she told him sarcastically.

"Yeah well don't worry. You'll never be that lucky."

"Lucky? That's what you think she is"?

Ricky shook his head in annoyance, "Like I said I don't have time for this." He turned away again, but she grabbed his arm to stop him. She looked sincere this time. "What's really going on with you?"

He snatched it back angrily. "I told you I didn't sleep well last night."

"Is that all?"

"You're missing lunch."

"It can wait."

He gave an exasperated sigh, "If I tell you will you leave me alone."

"Yes."

"I have a feeling that something is about to happen."

"Bad?"

"You said you'd leave me alone."

"Fine. You know you could try Mr. Molena's office. People say that Ben hangs out there a lot."

"Thanks", he said giving her a half smile. He started to walk in that direction.

"Ricky", she called to him. He turned around. "Whatevers bothering you...I hope it gets better".

He gave her another smile, "Me too." She walked off towards the courtyard. In a moment, Ricky was knocking on the door of Mr. Molena's office.

"Ricky", he said opening it. Ricky opened his mouth to speak but paused noticing that Mr. Molena wasn't alone. Anne Juergens was leaning against the wall of his office. Her face was streaked with tears. Amy's father was standing next to her. He placed a supportive hand on her shoulder. Both of them were looking at him. "I can come back", Ricky said taking a step back from the scene.

George spoke up, "No, I think he should stay". He took a step towards Ricky, but Anne held him back.

"What is this", Ricky asked in disbelief.

Mr. Molena gave a deep sigh, "Maybe you'd better come in." He stepped back to allow Ricky inside and shut the door behind them. George was glaring daggers at Ricky.

"I guess you've met the Juergens", Mr. Molena said motioning to the red headed woman who gave him a tiny smile.

Ricky nodded, and looked back at Mr. Molena. He could feel George's eyes boring holes into the back of his head. "Amy hasn't been home since last night", the school counselor continued, "and her family is very worried about her."

"Do you happen to know anything about that?" George stepped in.

"No I don't. Amy and I don't really talk".

"Typical", George muttered.

Ricky turned around to face him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Immediately, Anne whipped around to confront George. The expression on her face was livid. "It's not his fault. He's just a kid. Try to remember that this isn't about you!" George scowled but didn't say anything.

Ricky could barely believe it. Amy's mother was defending him..against her father. For some reason, having Amy's mother on his side even if it was for only a brief second, gave Ricky a feeling of confidence.

"Maybe I should ask the questions?", Mr. Molena said giving the couple a wary look. He turned to Ricky. "Ricky", he began. There was a sympathetic tone in his voice. By the expression on his face, Ricky could tell he was feeling bad about making apart of this drama. "I don't know Amy very well, but I do know that her situation has caused some controversy in the school. Can you tell me if there's anyone who might harbour feelings of dislike towards Amy..any enemies that she may have?"

"Like your friends", George put in.

"None of them want to hurt Amy", Ricky said glaring at George.

"What about your girlfriends? I heard you get around".

Ricky could feel his face getting hot. He looked angrily at Mr. Molena. "Can he do this?"

The counselor ignored it. "What about Amy's friends?", he asked calmly.

"I don't know. We don't hang out. Amy's sort of...quiet. She has her own crowd. You know, why don't you ask Ben? He's her boyfriend. He probably knows more about her than I do".

"We did and now we're asking you", George said.

"More like an interrogating ", Ricky muttered heatedly.

"Where were you last night?" George demanded ignoring his statement.

"I was on a date with my girlfriend."

"Can she tell us that?"

"You think I'm lying?", Ricky asked, his voice rising. He clenched his fists.

"I think your a punk kid who's capable of anything." Both of them were unaware of how dangerously close they were to each other.

"Stop it!", Anne cried stepping in between them.

Mr. Molena had risen to his feet. His face was a mixture of shock and concern. "George, I'm not even sure if I can legally let you do..whatever your doing..without his parents present."

"What about our daughter?" George demanded.

"We're going to figure out everything. I promise", Mr. Molena answered calmly.

"Ricky", Anne spoke up. She tried to seem calm but her voice was shaky. A fresh new batch of tears were visible in her eyes, "we just want to find our daughter. Is there any information you could give us that might be helpful?"

"No", he said bitterly.

"He's lying", George yelled.

"I would never hurt Amy or my baby", Ricky shouted at him and flung open the door with such force that it knocked hard again the wall. He stepped out, letting it slam loudly behind him. The hall was empty. The bell had rang without him even realizing it. Anyway, he preferred that no one see him like this. He didn't think he had ever been so furious in his entire life which included the time George had called him a worthless piece of trash. He could feel his face burning with anger. He was breathing so hard now that it hurt. He leaned against a wall in an attempt to calm down. Anger wasn't the only thing he felt. He was afraid. Amy was gone. No one knew where she was or even how she disappeared. Did she run away...or worse...? Ricky shook his head. He didn't even want to think about the "or worse" part. His thoughts reverted back to the nightmare that had kept him awake the previous night. What if it had been a sign of what was to come? He put his head in his hands running them through his hair. A few seconds, later he heard a door slamming again. He looked up balling his fists ready for another confrontation with George, but was surprised to see that it was Anne. She held a pink slip out to him.

"Mr. Molena told me to give you this so you don't get in trouble with your teachers for not going to class."

"Thanks", he said taking it from her.

"I'm sorry about what happened in there. George is just worried about Amy. We all are. This has never happened to us before."

"I'm sorry", Ricky said hoping she could see that he meant it.

"It's not your fault. If anyone is to blame its me. We had a fight before she left", her voice was breaking,"I haven't even got the chance to tell her that I'm sorry ."

He suddenly remembered his own fight with Amy suddenly realizing what the fight had been about. "Mrs. Juergens-".

"Anne", she cut him off.

He continued, "I did talk to Amy yesterday. She said that someone had been calling her phone and threatening her."

Anne eyes widened in horror. By the confused expression on her face, he could tell that it was hard for her to grasp how anyone would want to hurt someone as sweet as Amy. It was even hard for him to understand it. "Did she say anything else", Anne finally asked.

"No." Ricky looked away from her speechless. He could sense that the "or worse" factor was about to come into play. He tried to think of something else in an attempt to take his mind off of the situation, but it was hard knowing that he may never see his friend or his baby again especially in light of this new information.

Thank you for telling me."

"I don't know how much help I was."

"No, you've done a lot." She paused suddenly. A look of remorse swept over her face as she looked at him. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about how much this might be upsetting you."

"It's okay", he said trying to avoid her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

He look at her surprised to see that she was asking the question in earnest. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Okay, well I better go back in there before George tears your school counselor's head off".

Ricky gave a slight laugh. "Bye", Anne said turning away.

"Bye", he replied. He glanced at the slip of paper in his hand. Class seemed unimportant now. He was tired, and the sick feeling in his stomach had gotten worse. He balled up the slip and let it fall from his hand onto the hard floor. Then, he lifted himself off the wall and headed for home. The only thing he could do now was wait.