Chapter 38  Derek wheeled into the hall, leading the way. True to his introverted nature, Derek opted to stay out of the spotlight and asked Jack–to tuck him away in a dim corner.  I couldn’t help but scrutinize his brooding, handsome face, a spark of suspicion igniting in my mind. Was he trying to dig up details! about me earlier?  We had no history together, but he kept bringing up my whereabouts. Could all this really be just coincidence?  The hall was alive with chatter and laughter, everyone wearing warm smiles as they celebrated Grandma’s birthday. Grandma returned each greeting with her own graceful smile.  Her eyes scanned the crowd, clearly on the lookout for me. And she wasn’t alone–Chase was searching, too.  Standing next to Chase, I overheard my mom grumble quietly, “Amanda, honestly. How can she be running this late? It’s getting  diculous. She’s disrespecting her own grandma’s birthday.”  “Mom, I’m sure something came up for her. How about I ask a friend in Cloudville to see if they can find out where she is?” Nicole offered, squeezing Mom’s hand reassuringly.  “You’re just the best,” Mom said, giving Nicole’s hand a gentle pat.  Davin sidled up to Chase, giving him a nudge and whispering, “Still not patched things up with Amanda? Where is she?”  Chase looked a bit rattled, unsure how to explain to his dad that since I’d vanished, we’d lost touch.  “She’s on her way and should be here any minute.”  “Go on, meet her at the door. Show her you care.”  “Alright.”  As Chase made his way to the entrance, he spotted Derek sipping coffee in the comer. Their eyes met briefly, but Chase, holding onto his pride, didn’t approach and continued out the door.  He was sure I was just caught in traffic and wouldn’t miss Grandma’s birthday  To tug at my heartstrings, he stood under a streetlamp, letting the snow pile up on him.  If the first thing I saw when I returned was him, turned into a snowman just to greet me, all my anger would vanish, replaced by worry He knew my heart too well and always knew just how to handle my moods.  In past arguments, he’d pretend to be sick just to make me worry. He would draw me to his side. I would fuss over him and then forget we’d just had a tiff over Nicole.  However, this time, his act wasn’t going to work.  I stood nearby, watching with a detached curiosity to see how long he’d last.  Every thirty seconds or so, he’d glance at his watch. He waited in the snow for fifteen minutes, which was his breaking point  Little did he know that years ago, I had braved a blizzard to get him that amulet, enduring a cold so harsh it felt like knives on my skin.  I came back that night with a raging fever, completely unbeknownst to him.  I’d spent a whole day in the freezing cold, whereas he barely held out for fifteen minutes before heading back inside.  Nicole quickly rushed over to brush off the snow clinging to him, but Chase pushed her away, aware of all the eyes watching. He was determined to keep things clear between them.  No one gave it much thought. Mom checked the clock–it  it was time to cut the cake at seven, as planned.  She leaned into Grandma, whispering, “Mom, it’s getting late. We should cut the cake now. Everyone’s probably getting hungry Grandma’s eyes swept the room again, not spotting me. Her face grew somber. “Let’s wait a little longer. Amanda promised she’d be here to celebrate with me.”