Halfway through

"And with that, I dismiss you all." Announcing the end of the student council meeting, I watched as everyone except Mark stood up and headed for the door. He stayed in his chair and waited for me to arrange my documents. The vice president had the habit of doing so for as long as I could remember and nobody paid any attention to him. The simple thought of the day's end had me close my eyes, but I knew better than to show it to others. I finished my work and went straight to the door followed by Mark. "Savannah, sorry to bother you again, but I was wondering if we should involve ourselves in the police investigation. I don't find it particularly wise of you to do so and before you ask, yes, I am aware of the danger, but-" "Look, Mark, I understand where you're coming from and the fact that you do this out of concern, but I've said this many times before and I'm going to say it again. There's no need for you to look out for me. I can handle myself and if there's even a tiny chance I'll be of any help, then that's exactly what I'll do." As the student council president, it is my duty to make sure everyone in the school is safe and sound and if I have to be perfectly honest, I haven't been doing a great job these last few weeks. Around a month ago an eighth-grader disappeared, four days later the same happened to a fourth-grader and it kept happening. The last disappearance was three days ago, the students' parents have no idea where their children are and the police are getting nowhere, so I decided to take the matter in my own hands. You might think "What is she thinking? A seventeen-year-old girl playing police won't do a better job than the actual detectives", but what you don't know is how helpful it could be to have connections. Mark sighed, knowing I wouldn't back down and changed the subject. "Anyway, Sav, how are you doing? It hasn't been easy for you these days." We made our way past the front gate and a group of girls waved at him. I won't lie, he is good looking, but despite the fact, all our friends told us we'd make a great couple, I never thought much of it. Even though we've known each other since third grade and I could see he was trying, I've never really had anything more than friendship to offer him. "I'm doing just fine, thanks. And how have you been? I'm not the only one with work to do after all." Mark's jaw tightened and I automatically regretted asking him this question. Although I was aware he had his own problems I never actually asked him about them. Not that I was cold to him on purpose, I just felt like it wasn't any of my business. I'm not really the sociable type and my personality is precisely why I'm known as the ice queen of the school. But that doesn't bother me at all, rather it makes me the perfect president, which is exactly what I'm aiming for. I've had a few boys on my tail over the years, but Mark telling them off didn't change the fact I wasn't interested in him nor any other boy I've ever met. He ran a hand through his light-brown hair and started discussing some gossip from school, avoiding my question. Curiosity killed the cat. Better let it go. After a while, we said goodbye and split up. On the way home I walked by a few teens drinking and laughing. It's always made me kind of sad seeing things like that. I can't really say why, though. I've never been one of those kids walking the streets and looking for the next problem to cause. Rather one of those who only think of their next grade at school, but that's not all it's been about. I've thought a lot about this and I never had a clear conclusion, but it seems the problem stands in the fact I don't see what the point is in wandering around and doing nothing. That's why I do what's expected of me - remain an excellent student and student council president, not because I need to, but because there's nothing else to do in my not so exciting life. Walking through the door a strong smell hit my nostrils. It made my stomach painfully aware of the fact that today's a Thursday. I hurriedly slipped out of my shoes and went to the kitchen as fast as humanly possible, where mom was finishing up dinner. "Hi, honey! Dinner's almost ready." Thursday is lasagna day and if there is anything in this world I am honestly interested in, that would be it. Seeing me eyeing the dish, my mom laughed lightly. "When you graduate and move out this would be the only dish your household's gonna need a recipe for or am I mistaken?" "You know me better than anyone, mom." - I said, not looking away from the food heaven, captivating my eyes. We heard dad entering the house. "Hey sweety, how was school today?" "Like any other day, dad." He went to wash his hands and a few minutes later we sat around the table, ready to eat. I was filling my plate for the third time when he asked- "Any new disappearances?" His tone was cold and I couldn't help looking him in the eyes. "None." - I said leaning on the chair. "And any news from the police?" I shook my head no. This was becoming a regular topic for us. My father asked me these same questions every night now and I was getting rather curious. I get he's worried. But it's somewhat strange. I didn't know how to ask him about it though, so I just kept eating. When I finished I excused myself, saying I was tired and went to my room on the second floor. Laying in bed I thought of the lasagna I ate and how delicious it was. Little did I know it would be my last.