Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 9

When I get to Sierra Hills Elementary, the school yard is empty. All of the entrance gates are locked except for the main entrance where two security guards are located. I guess they put the school on high alert because of Katrina's a*******n. I slowly made my way to the main entrance and the security spotted me. The taller of the two has short black hair and brown eyes. He gave a smile, but the other with blonde hair and blue eyes watched me intently.

"Hi. I'm here to talk to a teacher. It's kind of important," I said, giving them my best smile.

"During school hours? Why aren’t you in school?" The shorter, blonde-haired guard asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I did say that it is important" I said, raising my eyebrow.

“Sorry, without being a student or school staff, no one is allowed on the premises.”

“And I totally get that, it’s just, uh, I have this school project. I have to sit in on a class and the teacher asked me to come in today. Don’t stand between me and my homework. If I fail, how could I ever live with myself?” I said, giving a pout. The taller brown-haired guard gave a laugh and motioned for me to enter.

"Thank you" I said, giving a small curtsey before pushing passed them and into the school yard. I walked down the narrow hall that leads into the school entrance. I pushed open the door and a dozen of my own memories of attending this school came to me. How I first started cheer, when my dad would drop me and Noah off and pick us up, Cara and I were inseparable.

"Can I help you?" The lady behind the desk asked. She looks like she's in her fifties. I can't see how tall she is from her sitting, but she's a little chunky. She has short red hair and blue eyes behind vintage-style glasses. She is wearing a nice white dress shirt and black skirt.

"Yes. I'm here to see a teacher I used to have. She is about my height or a little shorter, kind of a bigger woman, and has long, wavy, dark brown hair. I can't remember her name though," I said, describing the teacher from my dream. The lady behind the desk arches an eyebrow and stares blankly at me.

“You don’t have a name? What’s this about?”

“School project. I need to sit in on a class. I bumped into her in town and she asked me to come in today.”

“But you can’t remember her name?” she asked through narrowed eyes. She turned to her computer and began typing. This is something of an emergency and it’s taking everything in me to not grab the woman by the collar and asking her to help me because it might lead to the man who kidn*pped Katrina.

“Look, I get how this may seem, but if you can just point me in the direction of her class, I’m sure she will call and let you know I’m okay to come onto the school grounds,” I said, giving her a nervous smile.

"Hmm. I believe you might be looking for Ms. Sky, but she’s not in today. She will probably be back on Monday, if you want to come back then?" the woman said flatly to me. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. I can’t believe I snuck out and ran all the way over here for nothing. More than that, I can't wait three whole days to talk to this woman. If my dream is true, she can give information to the police and we can maybe find Katrina sooner.

"Do you know where she lives? This is rather important," I said, drumming my thumbs on the counter. I bit my bottom lip, waiting for her answer.

"You want to know where she lives? You just told me you had to sit in on her class. Young lady, what is this about exactly?" the woman asked with narrowed eyes. I guess she won't tell me and I for sure am not going to tell her anything.

"Never mind. I'll see if I can find someone else to help me. Thank you," I said, turning and walking out.

"That was fast. Did you get everything you need?" the shorter short-haired security asked.

"Not really. She called out today, but thank you," I said, pushing passed them and walking back down the street in the direction I came.

What am I going to do? Without her confirming my dream, I’m stuck. Mom’s right. I can’t go to the Sheriff’s department based off of a dream. No matter how real it seems. They would laugh in my face or lock me up. At least I have her name now, but is there a point if I can’t get a hold of her? The longer it takes to get to her, the longer it’ll take to find out if my dream is true. And if it is, the longer I’ll be unable to help Katrina. I decided to walk to the High School to see Xavier and Cara.

I pushed open the door to the main entrance of Sierra Hills High School. It was lunch time, so students walked briskly to the cafeteria. I’m disappointed about not being able to talk to this "Ms. Sky", but seeing Xavier always put a smile on my face. I looked around the quad and spotted Cara with the rest of the cheerleaders sitting at the table Xavier and I usually ate at. I pushed passed a few people to get to where she sat.

"And why are we late for school today? You know that earns you another demerit, right?" Cara asked as soon as I approached the table. She didn’t look up from the orange juice bottle she held in her hand.

"I have an excuse actually and I'm not late, I'm absent. I just came to talk to you and Xavier, drop off the note, and go back home. I won't be attending practice today."

"I figured as much already. We'll be working on what I showed you yesterday. Just don't forget to also work on the triple backhand spring back tuck. That is definitely going to be in the routine," Cara said before taking a drink of her orange juice. Amber Owens, another cheerleader, looked at me up and down. She is my height and almost the exact same weight. She has nice light brown skin, short black hair and green-colored eyes.

"Do I want to know why you have leaves in your sweater?" she asked with a smile. She pulled a leaf from my sweater to show me, before letting it fall to the floor. I shook my head.

"No, not really," I said, pulling the rest of them out.

"We'll miss you in practice," Mikayla Myers said with a pout. She is shorter than me and thinner too. She has medium-length dark brown hair and dark brown colored eyes. Because of how small she is, she's usually at the top of the pyramid. Aside from Cara, they're my next best friends.

"Sorry. I wasn't even supposed to be here, but I snuck out, my mom and Noah had me on house arrest," I said to Amber with a laugh. The three of them laughed and nodded their heads in acknowledgment. "But um, have you guys seen Xavier?"

"Um. I think I saw him walking in the direction of the football field. I know the football players usually rather eat lunch over there," Amber said. The other girls looked at her, Sheila Key nudged her, but she just gave a shrug.

"Okay, what are you not telling me?" I asked, looking at each of them through narrowed eyes. Cara focused on her bottle. Mikayla’s eyes danced between me and Amber.

"Nothing,” Sheila answered.

"No, not nothing. What was that exchange of looks for?" I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest. If it has something to do with Xavier, they better tell me! Mikayla looked at Amber and they both turned their attention to Cara. "What is going on?!" I shouted, putting my hands on my hips. My foot tapped as I waited for their answer, even though I was dreading what I might hear.

"We saw him walking that way with Leslie Silverman," Cara answered. Her eyes narrowed a bit as she watched me take in what she just said. Leslie Silverman is a five-feet three-inch dark-haired girl that I think is the devil incarnate. She has a thin, but curvy body, so she gets away with pretty much anything. She is the girl that flirted with every guy in the school and offered them things she knew they'd want. She's had her eyes on Xavier for a while and he's turned her down in front of me a few times, but would he do something when I'm not around? Would he take her up on one of those offers? I mean I trust him, but I don't trust or like Leslie.

"Are you okay?" Amber asked, getting up and coming over to me. I bit my bottom lip as I pondered on her words.

"Football field huh? Thanks," I said, turning and walking back through the crowd in my new destination. I grabbed a chocolate milk from a nearby table ready to throw it all over Leslie Silverman and Xavier should I catch them in any act together.

"Ms. James, you are late again. Two days in a row, I would love to hear the excuse this time," Mrs. Lawrence said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. She is wearing a white dress shirt, navy sweater vest, and a beige mid-length skirt. Again, I look into her brown-colored eyes as the glasses slide down her nose.

"Actually Mrs. Lawrence, the only reason I am here right now is to drop off this letter from the hospital. I fell ill this morning and was in the hospital. I barely got out and was ordered to bring this here so you wouldn't think I was skipping school. I will be here on Monday though," I said, handing her the hospital note from the inside of my pocket. "It's also for my brother Noah, who was at the hospital with me."

I didn’t wait for her to respond. I pushed past her, walking in the direction of the football field. As I got closer to the open field, I saw a few football players standing around talking in a small group. A few of the guys were playing catch. My eyes scanned each face, but none belonged to Xavier. I walked to the home bleachers and Xavier’s backpack sat next to Leslie’s purse. I wanted to growl at the top of my lungs. My skin burned and my fingers rolled into fists, crushing the small carton of chocolate milk I held. Whispers from underneath the bleachers caught my attention.

"Quick, give me my shirt!" I heard Xavier's voice hiss. I peaked through the bleachers to find Leslie in her b*a and unbuttoned shorts and Xavier shirtless trying to buckle his pants.