Lost & Found

Breakfast club

Stella woke up as a normal person - not before alarm clock. We got up, got ready for school and headed for breakfast. Today I was supposed to go on meeting with principal Cornell. Stella calmed me down and explained it's just paperworks and talk about school rules.

At breakfast, we took some cereals and headed to our table from last day. Stella told me that she likes how it's in the corner and it's always empty, waiting just for her.

No one looks, no one cares. But not today. Everyone was looking. Of course, Kyle and Bryan were sitting there.

"Stella, shouldn't we go outside? You didn't show me how it looks there." I tried before she could see our table.

"Don't be silly, it's still pretty cold after yesterday's rain." And then she noticed. "What is happening? Am I dreaming?" Yes, your dream and my nightmare.

"There's no way I'm going outside today." She said and walked right to our spot. I really thought she was shy, but I wasn't sure anymore.

"Hi, guys." she sat down as if it was just typical Wednesday. "Do you already need help with homework?" she smiled jokingly. I slowly sat next to her, not looking at him.

"What do you think about us? That we are that stupid?" Bryan replied, also smiling. I took my courage and looked up. Kyle was looking at me with confident and really annoying grin. Everything was going according to his plan.

"What are you doing here then?" I asked.

"I just wanted to talk to my friends. That's all." he said still with that smile. Then he looked away from me on Stella: "How was your summer, Stella?"

She was so happy, after last night I owed her to stay and don't mess this up.

"Actually it was really great. I was a little bit nervous about my new roommate, but we get along very well." I had to smile at her.

"I'm glad to hear that. After last year." Bryan said. Stella's mood slightly changed. Even when she was still smiling, I could tell her bad memories were waking up. So I took her hand.

"That's okay. We will take care of each other, right?" I asked and she smiled.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. It's just...you used to be alone so oftenly and now you look happier. Smile really suits you." Bryan said trying to apologize.

Stella took it: "That's all right. How about your summer?"

"It was pretty cool..." Bryan started and thankfully didn't gave much space to anyone else. I quickly finished my meal getting ready to leave.

"Where are you going?" Stella asked.

"We should go. I wanted you to help me before class. With notes, remember?" I didn't but thankfully Stella agreed.

"Right, sorry. I almost forgot. See you soon, guys." she said standing up.

"See you at lunch."

Something inside me was really kicking off.

"Did you heard of personal space?" I said and Bryan burst out laughing. And I could finally leave feeling a little bit better. Then I noticed Vivienne. She was sitting two tables away from us. And she looked pissed. But she smiled at us anyway.

"Hey, girls. Don't you wanna sit with us?" she asked. Stella wasn't looking very pleased by that offer. Not when it was said in such a sweet venomous way.

"Maybe next time. But thank you." I said and we quickly ran away.

We stopped in our class, sat down and just looked at each other. Stella started laughing. I also had to smile.

"What just happened?" she asked me.

"This is not gonna end well." I answered.

"Don't be such a pessimist. And don't tell me there's nothing between you and Kyle. There has to be something. Come on. Spill it!"

If I wasn't looking frustrated before, now I definitely was: "I'm not ready to tell you, Stella. I'm sorry. And also, I have no idea how to explain something that even I don't understand." I said holding my head in my hands.

"So there is something." she breathed out. "One last question! Please!"

"Okay. What do you want to know?"

"Have you two met before?" how the hell did she sensed this?

"Don't you have an easier question?"

"Is it connected with that friend of yours that disappeared?"

Was she talking about Dalia?

"Oh my god...this one's even worse." I mumbled. "But as you wish. We haven't met, but we did. And it is connected with her, but he doesn't know me or her. Now did it help you in any way?" I said smiling from desperation.

And Stella was just sitting there trying to understand what I just said: "Wait, but..How...What?" there was no chance to understand.

"I will tell you more later. Okay? And please, don't tell anyone, okay?"

"Please. Who would I tell?" she responded and our conversation was finally over. At least for now.