Elena
I get into Ella’s car, we are on our way to school. I’m in the passager seat while I tighten my seat belt. She calls my name as I pull the belt below my belly.
” I’m sorry I couldn’t give you an update about Ava, I had an urgency.” She gives a half smile and caresses my cheek and the other hand is on the steering wheel.
” Sure. No problem.” I say shortly and concentrate on the seat belt.
She stays silent for a while, maybe thinking of what to say next since she hasn’t started the engine of the car. “Were you able to find her?” she asks. I pause and stare at her, how did she know I went to look for her? I gulp slowly.
” I did. But she didn’t speak to me.” I say in a low tone, apparently not in a good mood because Ava answered none of my calls throughout last night.
” Huh, why not?” her brow climbs up her face. She looks interested to know, but I am not in the mood to speak to anyone. When I don’t answer for the next few minutes, she nods and starts up the engine of the car.
“She’s mad at me.” Finally answer, noticing she didn’t like my silence.
” I’m sorry about that. She might come around soon.” She encourages with a smile and I flickered the same to her.
She drives out of the house, heading to school. This week is a crucial one for the seniors, we have a lot to do as it is the last exam to graduate from school.
While she was driving her phone begins to ring non-stop, she doesn’t pick up but hangs up the calls whenever it rings.
” You can pick up the call, Ella. It might be urgent.” I tell her and throw my eyes outside the window, enjoying the not-too-fast and calm drive.
” It’s not too important. I’m driving I can’t pick up.” Her voice sounds a little tense.
” You can pick up and let whoever it is, know that you are driving. He’s not going to stop calling until your battery goes flat.” I suggest.
” Don’t worry, I said it’s not important,” she says like a yell, but her voice drops after the first-word drop from the tip of her tongue.
” You okay?” I ask when she wouldn’t stare at my face.
She finally turns to look at me and smiles, ” I’m sorry, the call is not important.” She says, I nod taking my mind off the attitude I just noticed.
She’s slowly acting strange and I can’t figure anything out because Ava has occupied my entire mind and soul.
We’re in school. Her car stopped and I’m the first person to get out. ” See you later, Ella.” I wave her bye because her class is different from mine.
” Bye, Cousin.” She smiles, waving too.
As I step into the hallway I hear the bell sound for the first period. It’s Monday and Ava and I usually have classes together.
I run into my class after I hear the sound of the bell, Mrs Shepherd is already in the class, occupying her desk. ” Hi, ma’am.” I greet my teacher and run to my seat, two row from the front seat.
” Good morning class. Good to see you all.” She says, her pink lips spreading to let out a smile.
” Good morning, Miss Shepard.” The class drags the greeting along in a moody tone. I don’t say along as I’m scanning the classroom for Ava, but I don’t see her.
” Welcome once again to the last semester of your final year,” she says her eyes surveying the room and I could feel her gaze lingering on me.
The class respond ‘thanks’ to her and she proceeds with her speech.
” I’m sure you all know how serious this semester is. You have to work hard in your studies because you can’t afford to fail in other to graduate,” she explains, but my mind is not settled as I can’t find Ava anywhere in the class.
Don’t tell me she didn’t come to school today. She never misses school unlike me.
My stomach twirls. I can’t find a hint of her, not even her fucking school bag.
I try to rise from my seat, holding my school backpack so I can run out of the class to go search for Ava.
” Where are you going, Miss Deloris?” Miss Shepard’s gruff voice puts a brake on my steps.
” I need to leave the class ma’am,” I tell her without glancing at her because, I might not want to see the spooky look.
” Weren’t you paying attention to all have been saying?” she raises her voice, she must be angry already.
” I am, but I’m sorry I need to leave please.” My voice is apologetic. The whole class focus on me as she questions me.
” You can’t leave, Deloris. Go back to your seat.” It doesn’t sound like a request, it’s an order.
I raise my face to stare at her as anger fills me. She can’t understand what I’m going through, I haven’t spoken to my best friend since yesterday. I feel fucking guilty about it, I won’t be able to focus if I don’t speak to her. Now she isn’t in class today.
” I’m sorry miss Shepherd but I need to go.” My eyes become soft, I want to cry. I’m full of emotions and guilt.
” That’s an order, Deloris. Go back to your seat or never attend my class again.” My pulse accelerates immediately…
I’m on a scholarship means I have to maintain my grades and be a good student till I graduate. After what she just said I might be reported to the school principal and I don’t know what would happen to my scholarship once I’m called to the principal’s office.
I drop my gaze, disappointed at her and my fucking self as I return to my seat.
I settle down and she continues her speech but her eyes never leave mine. As if she is monitoring me. ” Bitch.” I curse, in a very low tone. Nobody heard it, not even my seatmate.
When the bell rings. I’m overjoyful as I grab my backpack to leave but I make sure she leaves first.
She walks out and I’m the first student that vacates the class, running to find Ava. I’m running towards the hallway when I see Ryan coming.
He sees me but doesn’t smile at me nor look at me twice. ” Ry..” I run to call him, but he looks at me and throws his gaze elsewhere along with a loud hiss. What’s wrong with him?
I’m angry as I run to him and hold him back by gripping his white shirt. ” What was that for, Ryan?” I frown.
” What was what?” he smirks, his expression ridiculous.
” This attitude,” I tell him.
” Which attitude are you talking about ?” He asks.
I frown more, ” This. You just ignored me.” I tell him.
” Sorry. Settled?” He asks. What’s up with this strange behaviour? What the heck is going on with all of them!? I scream in my head.
” Fine.” I let go of his shirt and proceeds in running towards the hallway.
I go to the parking lot, I can’t find her car here. Truly she didn’t come. I remember I didn’t bring my car too. Shit! I angrily kick somewhere hard and I scream.
” Do you need help, Elen?” I hear a male voice and I spin around. He’s smiling at me, like a gentleman.
” Yes please.” My voice is low as though I’m on the verge of crying, and excited too, he came to my rescue.
It’s Daniel, smiling as his hands are inside his sides pocket, towering over me from the harshness of the morning sun.
” I’m all yours, you can use my car.” He presses his keypad and his car gives a signal making me sigh in relief.
” Where are we off to?” he asks, he looks so eager to assist me and he keeps looking outside his window as if he was waiting for someone to see him.
” Ava’s mansion. I can’t find her in school. I’m worried.” I say impatiently, don’t care who he is trying to look outside the window, suddenly he throws his middle finger outside the window and smirks.
” Are you waiting for someone?” I ask. I try to look back but he interrupts me.
” No Elen. Can we go now?” he smiles.
” Sure.” I say hurriedly, tightening my seat belt.