She doesnt resurface at all.

You don't hear from Rachel at all that day and evening. You knock on her door gently just before you decide to turn in for sleep, but she rebuffs all your attempts to talk to her, and keeps the door to her room locked.

Frustrated and confused in equal measure you turn away from her door and make your way to the bathroom for a shave and to brush your teeth.

Afterwards you leave the bathroom and cross the hall to your room. After turning on the light you turn around and stare at the door to Rachel's room longingly. You want to hold her and comfort her. You want to tell her that you don't care about her 'secret' and how you're crazy about her. Hell, you just want her to let you see her.

"Goodnight, Rachel." You whisper softly, knowing that she won't be able to hear your words. "I love you." You state, before entering your room and close your bedroom door shut.

Despite the late hour you are unable to sleep. Your thoughts are of your gorgeous housemate and the discovery of her 'big secret'. You find yourself wondering how things will between you and the most beautiful, funny and smart woman you have ever met.

"Can't believe how badly I have screwed things up." You lament aloud, despite knowing deep down that you really didn't do anything at all bad.

To try and take your mind off things you put on a DVD on the tv in your room. After a while you feel your eyelids getting heavier and heavier.........

..................................................................................................................................................................

You awake with a start. The sound of the front door being slammed shut waking you from your slumber. You reluctantly open your left eye and are instantly bombarded by a ray of sunlight coming through the small gap inbetween the curtains. Still half asleep you hear the sound of a car pulling away. Rolling away from the unwelcome sunlight you glance at the clock on your bedside drawers. The clock informs you that the time is just gone eight in the morning.

With a moan you reluctantly clamber out of bed and change into a pair of jogging bottoms and a comfy t shirt. After exiting your bedroom you quietly cross the hallway to Rachel's room. Her door is still closed, and you knock on it twice.

"Rachel, Rachel?" You call out softly, but loud enough to be heard. "Are you still in there?"

Your inquiry is met only by silence. Annoyed, you turn the handle in frustration. To your surprise the door opens and you are greeted with an empty room.

"I wonder where she is." You state aloud, as you close the door to her room and step back into the hall.

"Rachel? Rachel?" You call out, hoping for a response, but only silence rings throughout the house.

You check the bathroom, and the utility room before going down the stairs to the ground floor. You check the living room, finding no signs of life.

As you enter the kitchen you see a piece of paper on the table. A feeling of dread rushes through your body and you rush to the table. Your heart pounds and a roaring sound fills your ears as your brain whirls at a rapid pace as it tries to understand what your eyes are telling it as you read the letter.

"John

I'm so sorry for running out on you like this. I know I am a coward, but I cannot bear facing you, now you know the truth about me.

I have gone to stay at a friend's house for a few days. Her address and phone number is on the opposite side of this page if you need anything important. I just need some space and time to think, before seeing you again.

I have only told a few people about my secret. I'm sure you must think of me as some kind of freak. I appreciate you trying to comfort me last night. You truly are a great guy and will make a girl happy one day.

Sorry for everything.

Rachel"