Finding Her

Chapter four

I decided to skip school today because I wasn't really feeling it. Besides, I needed to go back to my mom's room to find more evidence. I still had to leave the house because my mom was still here and there was no way she'll let me stay home now that I found out about Millie. I drove up to Starbucks to order a coffee and to wait out my mom. After about a good twenty minutes I decided to head back. I noticed that my mom was now gone, I excitedly ran into the house and up to her room. I looked for the box but it was gone.

"No. How could she do that?! There's no way that she took that box outta here without me knowing." I sat down feeling discouraged.

She had to know I wasn't going to let this little obstacle stop me from finding the truth. I started

looking through her storage boxes hoping to find anything, I didn't. Which could only mean one thing. She took everything regarding Millie. I sighed in annoyance because now I have to find that stuff to find the stuff that led to the truth. Just as I was turning to leave her closet I saw a file cabinet.

"How did I not see that yesterday? Like seriously I should've seen that." I tried to open it but of course it was locked. Was my mom always this secretive? So now I had a list of things to do. First was to get inside that cabinet. Second was to find that folder. And then I could find my sister. All while staying on top of my school work and keeping this from my lying mother.

Not knowing where to start I headed back to my room to look for something to pick that lock. Just my luck that I found a paper clip and a bobby pin. "Tough luck mom but I'm getting into that cabinet." I headed back into her closet with a new sense of determination. After watching a YouTube tutorial I was able to pick the lock. I pulled the first few folders out and sat down to read. After not finding anything in the first bunch I went to the next, and the next and still nothing. I went to the next drawer hoping for the best. Again I pulled out the first few folders and lucky me, I found a bill for a storage unit. The first thought that ran through my mind was since when did we have a storage unit? How much was she keeping from me? Who knows how much stuff is there. I bet the folder I found is there also. I found the address at the top of the page and typed it into my phone for later. The first box was checked off of my mental checklist. But now it was replaced with a new item. Get into that storage unit. I carefully put everything back so my mom wouldn't know I was sneaking through her stuff.

After making sure I covered my tracks I headed to my car. It was time to find out what was in the storage unit. I looked at my GPS system in disbelief. The unit was on the other side of the city. That's at least a thirty minute drive from here.

"Why would she pick that unit when there are three others way closer?" Things weren't adding up and my mom was directly in the middle of it.

"Well I guess I better get going." With that I put my car in gear and headed to figure out the next part of this mystery. It took way longer to get there due to traffic. But I finally got here now that's what matters. I walked up to the front desk and found this middle aged white guy eating a box of donuts. I shook off my nerves and went to ask the guy for directions to the unit. "Excuse me. I was wondering if you could help me find unit 3B."

"Do you have the key for that unit?" I looked at him flabbergasted.

"Isn't there a spare? I'm in a rush and didn't really have the time to look for my key." The guy looked at me and rolled his eyes. I could tell he was getting annoyed with me but I didn't care. But he still reached over to grab the key for me. Before he slid it to me he held his hand out for money.

"Are you serious?"

"It's twenty bucks?" I looked at him like he had two heads.

"Are you serious?" I asked again. I reached inside my wallet and pulled out a twenty dollar bill. I slapped it into his hand and grabbed the key out his hand. He still didn't tell me where the unit was, such an ass.

I walked out of the office and went to look for unit 3B. After walking for what seemed like forever I found it. I put the key in the lock and twisted hearing it unlock. I released the breath I didn't know I was holding and walked in. I looked at all the stuff that was in here. There were file cabinets and storage bins stacked on top of each other. I was thankful that my mom was diagnosed with

obsessive- compulsive disorder so everything was labeled and neat. I looked at each label hoping to see one that stood out and one did.

It read Millie Strauss. That was the box I was looking for. I grabbed it and put it in the front seat of my car. That was something I would have to take my time looking at. I went back to make sure I found everything and it turns out I missed a few boxes. I placed those inside my trunk. So with that being done I hopped inside my car and headed back to my side of the tracks. Instead of heading home I opted for the park so my mom wouldn't find me. I sat at a bench under a tree and began reading. But before I could someone distracted me.

"Hey babe." Oh s**t. What was he doing here? And how in the hell did he find me? I was stuck. I dint know whether to run or not. After calming my nerves I turned around and locked eyes with Jake.

Hey Jake. What are doing here? I asked him while he wrapped me in a hug. He smelled different.

I was playing ball with the guys and I seen you over here. What are you doing here? Wheres Hanna?

Okay one question at a time. Well Im here...researching? And I don't know where Hanna is. Why are you asking about Hanna? He started looking flustered but he tried to cover it up. Key word is I said is tried.

Well no reason its just that I always see you guys together. he started scratching the back of his neck which told me he was lying. Also by him doing that I noticed a mark on his neck. But considering I had other things to do right now I decided not to care. But I did have one thing I needed answered.

Where were you yesterday? his eyebrows shot up in surprise. I knew he was about to lie yet again.

Uh- well I- I had a doctors appointment. I thought I told you. Really a doctors appointment.

Well I must have forgotten. But anyway I got a lot of research to do so Ill talk to you later.

Yeah no problem, I gotta get back to the guys. Bye babe.

Bye Jake. Oh and by the way, its over That conversation was super awkward. But I felt a sense of peace by breaking up with Jake.

After that strange pop up I didnt feel secure here anymore. After packing everything back up I made my way home. On the way home I knew I couldnt keep this stuff in the car. But where to put it. I took a left turn and headed to Hannas house. I knew shed let me use her guest house if I really needed it. Which I did. As I stopped at a red light I shot her a quick text to meet me at her guest house in five minutes. After dropping off the boxes I made my way home.

I slowly walked to the door and unlocked it. Upon entering I smelled chicken frying. Realizing I haven't eaten all day my stomach started growling. I tried to sneak upstairs so I wouldn't have to talk with my mom. I was almost at the top when I got busted.

"Mia, come downstairs dinner is ready." I rolled my eyes but still turned around to go eat. What can I say I love food. I made it to the table to see chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and cornbread. Who did she think was gonna eat all this? I sat and started putting a little of each on my plate. I said grace in my mind and dug in. I was trying to hurry up and eat so I wouldn't have to talk to her but she messed that plan up.

"So what happened at school today?" I looked at her suspiciously. I knew that the school would call her so I knew that she knew that I didn't attend school today. But since she wanted to play this game then I can play it better.

"School was okay. We had a pop quiz in biology. And there was a fight in the hallway. And we had a pizza party for the honor roll." I smirked at her. She should know by now how this was going to play out.

"Oh that's nice. Did you see Jake today?" So she wanted to play dirty I see. "Actually I broke up with Jake today." That made her smile fall. I seemed calm on the outside but on the inside I was cracking up at her, especially since she didnt have a comeback. So the rest of dinner was spent in silence.