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1151 Words
Jake wasn't in school the next day which made the majority female populace anxious. I too was worried but for a completely different reason. I saw how out of it he was yesterday. Anastasia blocked me from entering Arts class.
“Where's Jake?“ There was half a frown on her face. Her forehead still creased with worry.
“I don't know. Why would you assume I know where he is?“ I was not so subtly avoiding her gaze.
“Everyone knows he asked you to the movies last night. Now he isn't in school or responding to anybody's messages. What did you do to him?“
“If it pleases you to know, I didn't do anything to Jake. We parted ways at the cinema parking lot and same as the rest of you, I haven't heard from him since. Now get out of the way.“
School refused to pass in a flash. It was like the seconds only ticked longer. During lunch, I was headed to my locker to retrieve my phone when Hanson stopped me.
“Come. Let's talk.“
We strolled out into the courtyard together and oh if that didn't worsen the suspicions.
“You're quite popular considering you've been in this school for barely a month.“
I giggled which was so unlike me. Hanson was charming by all means. “You have your friend to thank for that. I really don't like the attention if you asked me.“
“Typical Jake Demidov I guess.“
“Have you heard from him since yesterday?“
“Then that means I can't ask you either. Jake gets into this mood where he ghosts. He'll be fine. I'm pretty sure he's playing video games and chugging down soda. He'll be fine.“ He said it twice probably for reassurance. I did wonder if he was reassuring me or him.
“Oh. It's okay then. I hope the Jake fanclub can leave me be and end the accusations of me abducting him. “
Hanson laughed. Like a full on laugh. Something I never experienced with Jake. I smiled a little. “You're quite funny Lisa. Has anyone told you that before?“
“I don't think so. I've been called unhinged. Funny people are unhinged so I'm guessing it counts.“ He laughed again.
We walked round the building, deciding to settle on one of the benches. He offered me one of the Gobstoppers in his pocket but I kindly refused. “So why aren't you following Ryan to Hong Kong?“
I turned to face him slightly surprised. “He told you we're related?“
“Yes. Is it like a secret or something?“
“That little punk.“ I noticed Hanson's stare so I schooled my expression. “Uh, he said I should pretend like we weren't related.“
“He's always been mischievous. There was once he hid my ball for days. He only returned it when I was on the verge of crying. The asshole.“ And there I was trying not to curse.
“Yes. I concur to that. So did you approach me because your friend is leaving and you'd like to befriend his sister?“ I came off a little bit more aggressive then I intended.
Hanson raised his hand in a form of surrender. “There's no such intention. I've been wanting to talk to you for a while now. It was only as I indicated interest Ryan informed me of your relationship.“
“Oh. So I'm guessing he warned you to stay away from me?“
“Yes exactly. Said you don't need my 'playboy' charms interfering with your daily life. I'm only left to wonder what that meant.“
I thought for a while before it clicked. “Ryan was protecting me?“ Hanson nodded like it was an absurd thing for me to be surprised.
“So, don't like the weather in Hong Kong I'm guessing.“ He asked.
I shook my head.“I'm staying with our dad.“ I didn't say more for fear of spilling my unnecessarily dramatic family lore.
“Oh cool.“
The bell rang before our conversation could be continued. We stood up heading back for the class block..“What do you have now?“ I asked when he stopped at my locker first. I saw my phone but since Hanson assured me Jake was fine, there was no need to have it with me. I instead looked for my maths textbook hoping I didn't forget it again.
“I have P.E. I chose football as a sport.“
“Lucky you. I have maths after now. I'd do anything to have P.E instead. “ I found the book and he was walking me to class. We had to squeeze our way through the hall of delinquent students that apparently had no desire to get to class early.
“Crazy. I don't think I've ever seen anyone that'll choose PE over maths. At least you can sleep in maths class.“
I scoffed. “The crude witch doesn't grant us such privilege. Anyone caught sleeping in her class stands till it's over.“
We stopped at the door to Miss Ari's class and it's obvious neither of us wanted this conversation to end. “Well, see you around I guess.“
“Wait, Lisa.“ I stopped. Of course. “Can I have your IG?“
“Woah. I'm surprised you don't have it.“ I gave him and went for the most boring class of the day.
It was as I reached the little white picket fence of Mabel's home that I remembered they were gone. The key was under the carpet like I was told. I walked inside and my footsteps were an echo enough. The only sign of habitation was my room. The only thing taken from it was the bedside lamp Mabel gave me when I turned fifteen.
Knowing my father, he was probably going to show up very late so I didn't rush to get my things packed.
Like I had guessed Theodore Thompson showed up at his previous home minutes after midnight. I was fast asleep when obnoxious knocking jolted me awake. For a few seconds I thought it was a thief but, why would a thief knock? It was only when I looked through the peephole that I saw him.
He had started graying and the crinkles on his forehead seemed to increase. If I was expecting a warm embrace, I was delusional. The only way I was sure I wasn't invisible was his grunt.
“Hello father. Nice to see you too.“
“I see you've still got that mouth of yours. Go get your things, it's freezing cold out here.“
It was freezing cold. That was why I took as much time as possible.
- Writer
