Chapter Eight: The Silence That Stings
907 Words
Carlos’s Restlessness
Carlos sat in his room, flipping his phone in his hands, staring at the last message he had sent Becky the night before:
Carlos:Hey, nerd. Still hiding? Thought you'd at least send a ‘goodnight’.
No reply. Not even a read receipt.
It had been three days since Becky had disappeared from school, and now, Carlos was starting to feel something he wasn’t used to—concern.
At first, he convinced himself that she was just ignoring him out of anger. After all, he had bullied her hard during the basketball match, and his friends even told him it was too much. But Becky had always fought back, glared at him, and thrown sarcastic insults in return.
Now? Nothing.
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. Becky was just another girl, right? So why the hell was she taking up so much space in his mind?
Carlos sighed and hit the call button.
"The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable."
He swore under his breath and tossed his phone onto his bed.
---
At School – No Becky, No Fun
Carlos walked into class, his usual arrogant smirk missing. He scanned the room, his eyes automatically landing on Becky’s empty seat.
His stomach twisted.
Where the hell is she?
Trying to shake off the weird feeling creeping into his chest, he turned toward Anil, who was reading a thick textbook at the front row.
Carlos leaned down next to him. "Hey, nerd. Where’s your best friend?"
Anil didn’t even blink. He kept reading as if Carlos wasn’t even there.
Carlos frowned. "I asked you a question, bookworm."
Anil sighed heavily, closed his book, and finally looked at Carlos with clear annoyance.
"Why do you care?"he asked, his voice colder than usual.
Carlos narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me?"
Anil tilted his head. "I thought Becky was just a nobody to you. Just another person to tease. So why are you asking about her now?"
Carlos clenched his jaw. He didn’t like this version of Anil—the one that looked at him like he was trash.
"Look, just tell me where she is," Carlos said, more serious now.
Anil scoffed. "You really don’t know, do you?"
Carlos’s patience was running thin. "Know what?"
Anil stood up, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "Maybe if you actually cared about Becky as a person instead of just a game, you'd already know." He walked out of the classroom before Carlos could respond.
Carlos sat there, staring after him, a strange feeling bubbling in his chest —guilt?
What the hell is going on?
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Carlos, Kirk & Jessy – The Change in Him
Later in the cafeteria, Carlos sat with Kirk and Jessy, poking at his food with zero appetite
Kirk nudged him with his elbow. "Alright, spill. What’s with the long face?"
Jessy smirked. "I bet it’s because his favorite punching bag isn’t here.
Carlos rolled his eyes. "You guys are annoying."
Jessy leaned forward. "So it is about Becky, huh?"
Carlos didn’t answer. He just continued pushing his food around with his fork.
Kirk’s smirk faded. "Wait… you’re serious? Damn, dude. You’re actually bothered by her not being here?"
Jessy gasped dramatically. "Carlos Bloomfield actually has emotions? Someone call the news!"
Carlos groaned, rubbing his temples. "Shut up, both of you."
Kirk raised an eyebrow. "So what’s your plan? You’re just gonna sit here and sulk?"
Carlos hated that they were right. He was acting weird. And for what? A girl who probably didn’t even want to talk to him anymore?
Jessy crossed her arms. "You know… if you really want to know where Becky is, there’s one person who definitely knows."
Carlos looked up."Who?"
Jessy smirked. "Karl."
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Karl Confronts Anil
That evening, Karl was walking home when he spotted Anil ahead of him, heading toward his neighborhood.
He quickened his pace, catching up with him.
"Anil!"
Anil turned around, his expression tired. "What do you want, Karl?"
Karl hesitated for a second, then got straight to the point. "Where’s Becky? She hasn’t been in school for three days."
Anil sighed, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "She’s… leaving town."
Karl’s eyes widened. "What?"
Anil nodded. "Her brother Ethan got a business opportunity somewhere else. They might be leaving soon."
Karl’s mind raced. Ethan was too controlling. If he was taking Becky away, it was definitely not her choice.
"Does Becky even want to leave?" Karl asked, frowning.
Anil shook his head. "I don’t know. But you know Ethan—if he says they’re leaving, then they’re leaving."
Karl’s hands clenched into fists. Becky was about to disappear without telling anyone. Without a fight.
But Karl wasn’t going to let her go so easily.
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Meanwhile – Carlos Gets the News
Carlos had gone home, still feeling restless, when he got a call from Jessy.
"You’re not gonna believe this,"she said the moment he picked up.
Carlos rubbed his forehead. "What?"
"Becky’s leaving town. Like, for real."
Carlos froze. His grip on his phone tightened.
"What do you mean she’s leaving?"he demanded.
"Anil told Karl. Apparently, her brother got some business deal and they’re moving."
Carlos’s heart dropped. Becky… was leaving?
And she didn’t even say a word to him?
Something inside him snapped
No.
She wasn’t just going to disappear without a fight.
If Becky thought she could just leave town without facing him first…
She had another thing coming.
- Writer
