On those lonely cold nights

 

Nic was at his wit's end. Why wasn't Liv home? Of course, Felicity wanted him to come over so she could make him a home-cooked meal. She loved the idea of them being alone. Except, Nic couldn't do it.

So Felicity ended up making dinner at his place, and even then he could hardly manage the lasagna she'd made. Liv would not answer her phone.

Felicity assured him she was OK. She'd been out and about for quite a while now. "Didn't she mention she'd met someone?"

Nic nodded, but she never let him come here. They always met up at a nearby convenience store. He winced hard, why hadn't he met this person? He could kick himself for not being more responsible, but he didn't want to make her mad.

When his cell buzzed, he practically jumped. It was Tristan.

Of course, he just called to give him a report on Dale's surgery.

"Everything went fine. She should be home tomorrow," Tristan said. Of course, he was still at the hospital with her. No way was he going home.

"I'm glad she's OK." Nic did his best to keep calm even if he felt his heart racing so that Tristan could hear it too.

"Is everything OK?" Tristan's question practically made him buckle.

"Oh yeah," he then mentioned Liv was out for Halloween. Something about a carnival. He chatted about how they missed the Lantern Festival. "I don't know how we did that, but you know, it wasn't close..so..um.." He stared at Felicity who was making him some instant coffee. "Do..do you want to talk to Felicity?" Suddenly, he was filled with laughter. He cringed then and handed her the phone. Really, he wanted to take a walk and see if he could find Liv.

"Who is this guy again?" Ari's question just made Pan fidget more. He shoved his hands in his chinos. Honestly, he felt a little faint. He didn't even want to try to explain it to his best friend. After all, Sammie and Gabe were over. They were handing out candy to any kids who might be around for Halloween.

"Oh, he was there at the Haunted House," Pan winced. "He looked like he might have been in a rock band."

Ari nodded as if he was on it. "And she's just modeling, right?"

"I don't know. Maybe?" He knew it was too good to be true, but the more he told her not to,  Rox was more determined to go. "Some van picked her up." He sighed. "She told me it would be a limo but it wasn't."

"Shouldn't we call the cops?" Ari blurted. Had been at least six hours or more.

"The cops?" Of course, Gabe wanted to know what was up. It just made Pan feel dizzy. He had to sit down and Sammie brought him some warm cider she'd brought. Still, this all gave Pan goosebumps. 

"Did you try to call her?" Gabe wanted to know.

"Yes," Pan managed to say, but her phone was turned off. He felt as if he was going to be sick. Why did it always hit his stomach first? What was she doing with that Kaz?

He'd been so mad at Rox. Of course, she came back with, "YOU NEVER LET ME DO ANYTHING! YOU NEVER WANT TO DO ANYTHING!" 

He felt himself shake on the inside. This had never happened before. She'd always been by his side. What had he done to deserve this? 

A knock came to the door. Of course, it wasn't Rox nor Kaz, just Rico, and Carmen with her little brother. They'd been out trick or treating.

"Who does stuff like that anymore?" Pan snapped. But no one listened. They were entertaining Kenny. They adored his Marshmello costume. Carmen made the white jumpsuit and he was wearing a white hoodie with the Marhsmello details.

Finally, Nonnie and Weezer came by. Ari evidently called them. Nonnie was really upset about Rox, but at least she didn't say it was all Pan's fault.

"Maybe this is just what she needed," Nonnie made it sound as if the only one who could wake Rox up was herself.