Maddy 46-50

12

The next few months went quickly. Kristen was caught up in a whirl of activities. From homework to Christmas shopping, Kristen barely had time to breathe. The only relaxing times she had were the ones spent talking with Skye in their dorm room, and the hours she spent with Sam when he tutored her. Kristen lived for her tutoring sessions. With her newfound love of Sam, they were her perfect excuse for spending long hours with him after school and on the weekends. Thanks to Sam’s tutoring though, Kristen was beginning to average low A’s; she even had a ninety-eight in her English class! Although this was quite an achievement for Kristen, she couldn’t help worrying that Sam would decide she was fine on her own, and didn’t need anymore help. If that happened, then she would lose all of her time with him, and that was something she definitely did not want to happen. The only thing dragging her down was guilt. Guilt because she had made no effort to help Skye with Sam, and guilt because, in spite of the fact that she knew that Skye liked Sam, she continued to flirt with him whenever Skye wasn’t around. At first, Kristen had been able to just forget about the love triangle, but as time progressed, and Skye kept asking, the harder it became. On top of all that Kristen had another storm brewing in her life. Her parents were coming for Christmas.

Up until Christmastime, Kristen had had no connections with her former life. On Christmas Kristen’s parents flew down for a visit. When they arrived, Kristen had no idea what to expect. She hadn’t seen them for months and the last time she had, their relationship had been on thin ice. As soon as she greeted them in the front circle, Kristen realized all of her worries were going to be realized. The atmosphere was tense and her parents barely looked at her.

At first, Kristen made an effort to be friendly, engaging, and to show her parents how much she had changed. After being blown off countless times for conversations with teachers, and Sister Mary-Janice, Kristen gave up. For the rest of their tour Kristen just spoke like she was being forced to, and offered no more information than was needed.

Things finally began to look up though during the parent-student dinner. Kristen’s parents sat with Skye’s grandmother and Sam’s parents. (St. George and St. Claires combined their dinners.) All three gushed about how nice and polite Kristen was, and how she seemed like such a sweet girl. It was only after that, that Kristen’s parents actually began to warm up to her.

Later, when they were saying their goodbyes, Kristen’s parents pulled her aside.

“I think I speak for both your father and myself when I say, we are extremely proud of how you’ve acted.” Said her mother.

“From what your teachers and the other parents had to say about you, it’s clear to both of us that you are a completely different girl than the one that lived in Jacksonville.” Added her father.

“Thanks.” Said Kristen smiling genuinely, as she hugged her parents.

“Oh and sweetie, I’m glad you’ve found some nice friends, Sam and Skye are keepers. Especially Sam.” Said her mother with a wink as they she got into the car.

“Mom!” Yelled Kristen, exasperated. Not only was that comment embarrassing, but Kristen had gone about a half an hour without thinking about the Sam and Skye issue.

“Oh I’m just messing with you honey.” Said her mother with a laugh as she gave Kristen her last goodbye hug. “Love you.”

“I love you too, mom.” Said Kristen.

As she walked back to her room Kristen thought about what her mom had said. She was right, Sam and Skye were keepers. If she wasn’t honest with them then she wasn’t going to keep either of them for very long, she realized.

As she walked back to her room Kristen thought about what her mom had said. She was right, Sam and Skye were keepers. If she wasn’t honest with them, she realized that she wasn’t going to keep either of them for very long.

When Kristen walked down the dark hallway to her room, she noticed something unusual. The door to her little home was ajar, its light spilling into the coal black hallway. As she crept closer she could hear voices coming from inside. Who the heck is in there? Thought Kristen.

When she arrived at her door she peered in. She was met with a most unexpected sight. There, sitting on her pink geometric comforter sat Skye and across from her sat Alison. Why the heck is she in there? Thought Kristen, as she strained to listen to their conversation.

“Come on! I’m telling you the truth!” Said Alison it what seemed to be a frustrated tone.

Telling the truth about what? Thought Kristen

“Alison, I really think you saw someone else, Kristen would never have done that.” Replied Skye calmly.

What would I have never done? Thought Kristen, quite confused at this point.

“And what makes you think that she wouldn’t?” Asked Alison.

“Well, I told her that I liked him, and I think that she would have respected that.” Said Skye.

What did I do!? Thought Kristen exasperated, although she now knew that whatever it was, it had something to do with Sam.

“Psh, Kristen is exactly the type of person who would kiss someone else’s man!” Snapped Alison.

What!? I never kissed Sam! Thought Kristen as she jumped up ready to barge in and defend her good name. What Skye said next though sat her right back down.

“You know I think you’re the one that’s got it all wrong. Kristen would never try to steal Sam from me. In fact she’s been talking to Sam for me for about a month.”

“You honestly believe that? You honestly think Kristen’s been trying to help you?” Said Alison in frustrated disbelief.

“Yes.” Answered Skye simply.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” Yelled Alison in frustration, as she stormed out of the room, and right past Kristen, not even noticing her.

After Alison was gone, Kristen stayed in the hallway, as the guilt settled in. She had just witnessed something that was proof of just how good of a friend Skye was. All that time that Kristen had avoided helping her, Skye had never doubted her. Seeing how much Skye trusted her, and seeing how Skye defended her, filled Kristen with an overwhelming sense of guilt. She had been nothing but horrible to Skye. Skye deserved to be treated better than that. So far Kristen had acted just like Alison said she had, minus the kissing part of course. Knowing that sitting there wouldn’t make anything better Kristen picked herself up and walked into her room.

“Hey, where have you been?” Asked Skye, in a cheerful voice as soon as Kristen walked in.

“Oh I’ve just been helping my parents pack up the rental car.” Said Kristen as normally as she could.

“Okay.” Said Skye with a genuine smile, “well I really tired so I gonna’ crash but Merry Christmas!” She added as she flopped down on her bed.

“Merry Christmas to you too.” Replied Kristen with a yawn, realizing how tired she was as well.

Five minutes later as she closed her eyes to go to sleep, Kristen thought of a way to fix everything, it’s like they always say, no matter what you have done, you can always make the next thing you do the right thing. She thought with a smile.

Cheyanne -story end

“Oh yeah I almost forgot.” Caroline giggled turning on the wireless radio we had brought with us.
“Turn it up Caroline!” I protested playfully. I placed my hand on my stomach. Ugh, I defiantly ate a few too many chips. I guess you could call me an emotional eater. I know, bad.
She turned on the radio. Of course knowing music loving Caroline it was already set to Kiss 123.8. That was the only Caroline acceptable channel. This channel wasn’t full of honkey country tunes like the rest. It was the only channel around that played newer stuff. Usually pop/rock. Thank god this satellite reached us.
“This young singer’s first single is quite impressive.” The radio’s voice said in it’s deep huskiness.
“Ugh, I bet it’s like Eliza.” I moaned, while reaching to shut off the noise I wasn’t prepared to hear.
“Here is Noelle Fields.” The radio voice said. My hand paused in mid air. Caroline jumped up spastically. Every thing was in slow motion until I heard a shriek scream.
‘Ahhh!” Only after it had ended did I realize that it belonged to me.
“Oh my God! Oh my God!” Caroline screamed jumping up and down, after turning the stereo up as loud as it could possibly get.
Still struck with the feeling of surprise my heavy heart lifted up.
“I don’t believe it!” I managed to spit out. How did my song manage to get on the radio? One answer, Kristen. She was such a good friend. Now I realized I didn’t only have to go back for myself, but for the sake of everybody else I’d let down.
“This song is great! Obviously some one in the studio still believes in you.” Noelle reminded me, then continued “Noelle your going back to California whether you like it or not.” She said with force in her tone.
“I am.” I nodded. “I am.” Tears of happiness started to drip down my cheeks.
I guess in the end everything works out, or maybe I’m just one of the lucky fortunate ones. Let me tell Los Angles isn’t as fun as it seems, but it was my new home. No longer was I needed here, and Caroline even promised to keep me out of trouble and on the right track. Sure I let her come along, but I had learned my lesson the hard way. After finishing my album, making up with Jason and Kristen, and officially getting over Kyle you’d think it was the end of a book. Really it was a new chapter of my life.

Renee 46-49

I pondered Jared’s words. I could feel my anger rising again. I reached over to the stereo and turned it on to something more edgy. Jared immediately turned his head and looked at me, a dirty look on his usual hopeful, green-eyed face.
“What?” I smirked, staring back at him. He didn’t answer.
After he dropped me off, I ran up the stairs and into my bedroom. I breathed in the welcoming, certain scent of home. I ran back downstairs, after finding no reason as to why I went up the stairs in the first place. With confusion still brewing in my brain, I collapsed on the leather sofa, flipping on the television. The news came on. Of course, I mean that’s all my parents ever watch, I thought. I sat there still watching it, my mind in another place. It drifted to the conversation I had earlier with Jared. He couldn’t be right. It didn’t make any sense. Restless, I got up from the sofa after an hour and decided to make myself dinner. My parents wouldn’t be home from the casino until later, and Jack was spending the night with a friend. This was usually how this day of the week went.
The next morning was church morning. I got up, overly excited, and slipped on black dress pants, and then my favorite tan knitted sweater my grandma had made me, over a nice, plain brown shirt. Grandma’s sweater was my favorite, and what better day to wear it then today? I looked over at the clock, curious to see what time it was - it was already ten o’clock! Church started at 10:15! Where was Jared?
I was hit with the realization of what he said yesterday, and immediately my heart fell. I pushed the thoughts away and gathered up my belongings for church, motivated by a new idea.
We had three cars, and my parents each took one on their way to work. They always left the Pinto parked in front, to the side of our two-car garage.
I didn’t exactly have my license yet, but I did pass my permit test. Would I be able to do this without getting caught?
Nervously, I put on my winter coat and fixed my hair so it didn’t interfere with the static from my coat. I slipped on my blue winter gloves that had small white snowflakes on top. I didn’t want to wear a hat today, otherwise my hair would frizz up into something I wouldn’t be able to manage. I threw my bag over my shoulder and rushed downstairs and threw on my furry tan boots. I grabbed the keys from the wooden key cabinet and shifted out the door. I got inside and turned on the ignition. It started unwillingly, making loud roaring noises, puttering to heat up. I got back out and began brushing the snow of the front of the windshield. I bit my lip, my heart beating faster. Guilt was starting to take over.
After brushing it off thoroughly, I got inside, my hands shaking, not in bitter cold, but in nervousness. I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this. I flipped on the windshield wipers, and they slowly brushed the snow apart, and I could see clearly onto the fresh snow-laden driveway.
I put the car in reverse, my hands still shaking, my gut cringing suddenly in bad intuition. I pulled forward and carefully drove down the road, my eyes pacing back and forth. I slowed down at the upcoming stop sign ahead of time, remembering Winter time driving rules. I whipped my head back and forth more than necessary, turning left and pulling up the next road.
Suddenly, as I was moving past a small road to the left of me, I didn’t notice a black vehicle hidden behind a cluster of small, snow-covered bushes. It came out suddenly, pulling out in front of me about ten feet ahead. I gasped, punching on the break and turning my wheel to avoid the oncoming collision. I turned more than necessary and my car slid more than I had bargained for, sending my Pinto into spins. I screamed, trying to maneuver it back into track. I felt the car stop spinning. I breathed out. To end my relief, an unexpected boisterous horn grew louder within seconds, and before I knew it, my world went black.

Mumbles of sound rippled through my mind, what sounded like distant voices speaking. It felt like I was dreaming, but the voices were gradually growing louder. As the sounds became clearer, I could distinguish a lower-pitched voice and a higher one. Some words were clearer than the others.
“...surgery?” One of the voices spoke, anxiously.
“...might not be necessary, there are many more options...special care...” the deeper voice replied, calmly.
“Is she gonna be alright?” Came from what I could tell now as a woman’s close panicky voice. It sounded like she was saying this right into my ear.
“Yes, yes, she will be just fine, don’t worry.” The deeper voice was growing louder, my consciousness recurring.
Bright light seeped penetratingly through my eyelids as I began to open my eyes. A blur of color appeared, and I distinguished figures standing to the right and left of me. I could hear clearly what they were saying now. My vision came into focus, and I recognized my mother standing to the right of me, leaning over my bedside, softly stroking my hair. A tale, blonde-haired doctor stood to the left of me, looking into my face. A slight smirk of approval was spread on his face.
“M-mom?” I studdered, hardly able to get the words out. My lips felt like they were glued together.
“Becca, honey, you’re in the hospital. You were in a bad accident.” She said, carefully placing her hand on mine and stroking my hand with the tip of her thumb. Her face, I noticed, was red from crying and she started to cry again as she spoke those words.
It wasn’t until then that I remembered the spin outs, and the loud horn coming at me after the spinning finally stopped. My heart raced in a mixture of guilt, panic, and fear as I recollected these thoughts.
“Mom, I am so sorry-” I burst out suddenly, but she interrupted me.
“Honey, don’t upset yourself right now. We’ll talk about that later, but for now, I am so thankful that you’re even alive!” My mom’s voice cracked on the word so, making her sound so much more upset than she really was.
I relaxed a little in the hospital bed, slightly relieved. For once, I noticed the light blue walls of the room, and the extremely old-fashioned border wallpaper near the start of the ceiling. I remembered these details from the last time I was in the hospital; I was eight years old, knee split open from playing hide-go-seek with the neighborhood kids. Tripping over a large stone on my sprint to safe, I landed myself right on top of a sharp, edgy rock sticking out of the dirt driveway. The rock came right through my knee on impact. I don’t even remember the trip to the hospital, just the pain that resulted from the stitches pulling in and out of my skin.
“Well, I’ll leave you to rest now, Rebecca, and I’ll check up on you in a little while. Is there anything I can get you?” The doctor looked at me now, with kind eyes. He turned and stalked out of the door, his long legs carrying his weight almost in perfection.
Just then, a soft, but repetitious knocking came on the door from behind the cream-colored hospital curtain which separated my quarters from another person’s. I wasn’t sure if there was anyone stationed to the left of me. There appeared to be two spaces in this room, and I was lying in the farthest one, near the window.
In came Pastor Dennis, looking quite worried. I forgot about him almost entirely, but I stayed still where I was, unsure of how to react. What would he think of me, lying in a hospital bed, here because of some idiotic decision that I had made earlier that morning?

Cheyanne 45-50

I stuffed a handful of potato chips into my mouth. I chewed them slowly, as I flipped through the TV channels. Nothing on seemed to catch my attention the least bit.
I was back home, sprawled on my bed. I had been home for about two days now. Luckily my family weren’t asking for that many explanations. The only explanation I was giving was “I’m done!”.
Caroline had been over earlier. Her visit was short. Apparently now she works at a local restaurant. Honestly she didn’t seem that excited to see me. Caroline was extremely surprised by how different I looked. She admitted not even recognizing me. Its always a let down when your friend of so many years doesn’t recognize you.
We exchanged about twenty words, and then she said she was going to be late for her shift. So of course I said “good bye”, and went back to moping.
Today was one of those days where I just felt like a complete failure. I mean with so many people geniuses, and celebrities what exactly was I? I had about one friend. One friend who was starting to slip away. I wasn’t attending college. I guess I could still sign up for next semester, but it seemed like I lacked a life.
While most people are having the time of there lives these years I could already see myself sitting here in this room, eating junk food, and watching TV for the rest of my life. I might even turn into one of those crazy old ladies who only has animals as friends. Scratch that thought. At least they had animals as friends. Right now I didn’t really have anything.
“Noelle, do you want some fried chicken?” My yelled calling up to me. I could barely hear her voice through the TV.
Normally I would never pass down some of my favorite food, but tonight I didn’t want to join my family. I felt like being a loner, because that’s exactly what I was, and would be. I didn’t even have a job anymore. My chance at whatever great things I could of achieved had gone out the window.
Redundantly I woke u the next morning remembering what I had to mope about. It was like this was my life now. Day after day was spent feeling sorry for myself.
“Noelle!” My mom shouted opening my door, without knocking.
Startled I looked up at her.
“Wake up. Caroline is here.” She said.
Quickly I got out of bed, and ran downstairs.
“I’m going to help you get out of this dilemma. I would be a terrible friend if I didn’t.” Caroline stated sweetly as I greeted her at the door way.
“Caroline, it’s over. I’m moving on.” I said defensively. Why would she want to help anyways? Basically I’d gone to Los Angles, and ditched her. I wasn’t a good friend.
“Don’t you just give up. Come on.” Caroline said motivationally. Her blonde hair was blowing in the wind, and her face had a sunny glow to it.
“I’m not giving up. I’m moving on.” I corrected her. Then added “Today is a good day to visit the lake.”
The Blue Crest Lake was one of my favorite places to be. Caroline, and I used to walk there frequently. It was just one of those refreshing places where you could relax.
‘Okay. The lake it is. I have today off too.” Caroline added. Although it was getting colder today had seemed to warm up just enough for Caroline and me to sit in the sand, and dip our toes in the water.
“Oh, and don’t worry we won’t have to walk. My mom is letting me borrow her car.” Caroline declared excitingly.
“Awesome.” As lame as it sounds neither of us have cars. “I’ll be right back.” I added racing up the wooden stairs that lead to my bed room.
Quickly I threw my hair in a pony tail. Then I proceeded by replaced my sweats with denim Capri’s, and slipped on a tank top. I grabbed a black cardigan in case the weather decided to get chilly.
“Mom! I’m going with Caroline to the lake!” I shouted following Caroline out the door.
“Be back for dinner.” She demanded.
I felt a little bit of happiness bloom inside me as we reached the lake. No one else seemed to be here. I wasn’t that surprised. Swimming season had been over for a while.
Caroline, and I decided earlier after leaving my house to have a picnic. We had picked up pre made subs, a bag of potato chips, and pepsi at the grocery store. I sure was starving. My appetite had seemed to have returned.
“Of course we will need some music.” Caroline laughed, as she grabbed her wireless radio. We both were music geeks. I hadn’t listened to some good music in a long while.
“Okay. Now all set.” I said; my stomach growled.
After we had walked to the sand area I laid down the towel. It was an old beach towel that I remember Caroline has had for years. I wondered why she decided to bring this one? It was one that she’d gotten long ago when we had been obsessed with Barbie dolls. As you may have guessed this beach towel was covered with Barbie’s face.
Her bouncy blonde hair, and perfectly symmetric face was obnoxiously staring at me. All these characteristics reminded me of Eliza. I frowned.
“So what exactly do you plan on doing with your apartment?” Caroline asked shortly after we had started eating.
I shrugged; my mouth full of food. “Stop paying rent.” I replied after I’d finished chewing. Right now I could care less about bad credit.
“We should move there. Me and you. We could go to college, get jobs, you know?” Caroline suggested. Obviously she’d gotten bored here lately.
“Well, I don’t know. Yeah I like it there, but…” Actually I couldn’t really think of a reason of why I didn’t want to return to Los Angles.
Los Angles defiantly was more amusing than here. This small town was boring to the extreme. Usually the most excitement was when the annual fair was going on.
Of course I wasn’t much of a fair girl. The whole farm animal, country playing music, corn dog eating festivals didn’t amuse me much.
“What? Why not?” Caroline asked her sweet tone seemed to get angrier.
“I’d miss my family.” I lied. Of course I would miss them, but that wasn’t why I didn’t want to go back.
“Yeah, right!” She snapped rolling her eyes. Then quickly added “It was just an idea, but whatever.”
“Well there is plenty to do around here. I mean you have a job, and I can try to get one too. Then of course there is always the Christmas play to look forward to.” I replied, searching inside my head for more lame excuses I was able to grab hold of.
“What is up with you? First of all me, and you both know there is nothing to do around here. You hate Christmas plays, and not to mention you’re a terrible liar.” Caroline said bluntly.
I stared out into the lake. I felt like jumping in, and swimming away. It would be so nice to just leave all my worries behind. It must be nice for fish. They get to spent their lives aimlessly swimming, and exploring the waters.
“It would just…” I sighed then continued “it’s too hard. I can’t go back there. My first love dumped me, and my dream job has been shattered.” I admitted feeling tears build up behind my eyes.
“Get. Over. It. If those are the only reasons then your whole life will be spent running away.” Caroline reasoned.
I guess she had a point. All I really wanted to do was stay here, and hide.

Lorin 26-37

Chapter 4
Walking into this school made me feel out of place. There was a weird sense that I didn’t belong here. I felt eyes staring at me all the way to the office where I was asked to wait.
I sat down in a blue chair right across from the lady working at the desk. She had dark brown hair that was put up in a bun, and green eyes that I wish I could have. I have ice blue eyes that everyone says are beautiful and they wish they could have them, but I’ve never been a fan of blue. The lady at the desk came over to where I was sitting.
“You’re Cassidy, right? I’m Mrs. Johnson; I’m one of the secretary’s here.” She introduced, “grab your stuff and follow me.”
“Okay,” I said while I nodded and started to follow after.
I followed her to a classroom that had a few students sitting at tables talking. The teacher stood by the chalkboard writing math equations down so, I figured that math would be my first class. Mrs. Johnson knocked on the open door to get the teachers attention.
“Hello, Mrs. Johnson. May I help you?” He asked, and then looked at me. “Oh, do I have a new student in my class now?”
“Yes you do. This is Cassidy Turi; she’s from North Carolina.” She told him as she turned me over to his class.
“You can sit in this seat,” he said as he pointed to a desk that was right in front.
I said ‘okay’ and sat down. I noticed that there was only three other girls in the class and all the rest were guys. I sat next to two guys; one with blonde curly hair and the other had barely any hair at all, but I’m sure it was black.
“Hey, I’m James. Welcome to our school.” The guy with blonde curly hair said before the teacher started talking.
“I’m Mr. Drews, and the only reason I’m saying that is because I wanted to make sure everyone knows that we have a new student in our class.” He told the class as he gestured for me to stand up.
I stood up and turned to the class with a fake smile on my face because I felt awkward standing in front of these kids who I’ve never meet before. I decided to wave and sit back down, but of course I couldn’t get away with that.
“Stand back up and introduce yourself. Then you can sit down again then, we will get started.” He told me as he went to go and sit at his desk.
I stood up at where my seat was and turned to the class so, my back wasn’t toward them. “Hi, I’m Cassidy Turi.” I said then sat back down and looked over at Mr. Drews.
“Okay that works,” he mumbled through his laughing of me introducing myself as quick as possible. “Let’s get started. Get out your homework from last night. Cassidy, you can look on with James’s or Dylan’s homework.”
“You can look on with me Cassidy. Dylan usually doesn’t do his homework or it’s not done very well.” He said as he moved his desk towards mine and put his homework on our desks.
We went over the homework and I knew exactly what we were doing. I did this already in my school in North Carolina. After going over the homework we started to take notes.
I took the notes in my pink spiral notebook. I haven’t done any of the equations before in the notes, but it wasn’t that hard to figure out. The bell rang when I got to the second page of the notes.
“What’s your next class?” James asked hoping we would be in another class together.
I then, looked at my schedule to see what I had. “Uhm, I have English with Mrs. Rodriguez.”
“Oh, I don’t have her yet, but if you want I’ll bring you to her room?” He asked as we walked out of Mr. Drew’s class.
“Yeah, thanks.” I said gratefully at his offer.
We talked all the way to my next class about the school and general things about us like what we like to do, and our best subjects. We waved goodbye and I walked into my next class and over to the teacher who was talking to one of the students.
I looked around the room while I waited for their conversation to be over. There were many posters of authors on the wall and the room was bigger than the other. I then noticed some girls looking at me with weird glares.
“Yes? Oh wait I know who you are. Uhm, you can sit in that seat behind Hannah.” She said with sort of a southern accent while pointing to a girl with blonde, wavy hair and a big smile.
I didn’t like this class because I felt there was anger or hatred towards me. I felt I was being watched and glared at, but whenever I looked there was no one looking at me or even moving their head from me.
That’s how it was the whole class and I couldn’t concentrate. I barely even noticed when the teacher started talking and when she stopped. The bell snapped me out of my zoning out. When I started walking out of the room, a few of the girls from the class came up to me.
“Hi, your name’s Cassidy right?” One of the girls said in a grumpy tone.
“Yeah, nice to meet you.” I replied holding my hand out for a greeting shake.
“I don’t want to touch your hand I don’t know where it’s been and I’m sure no where great because you look horrible. Your fat, your clothes are hideous, and you are super ugly.” She walked away with the other groups after saying that.
I was so upset at what she said that I started to cry. My English teacher didn’t even realize because she never came over to see what was wrong, but James ended up coming over when he was coming down the stairs after his class.
“What happened? Are you okay?” He asked with worry in his eyes.
“It’s nothing; I’m fine. Where’s the bathroom? I need to clean up.” I said through my sobs.
“It’s this way, follow me.” He told me as he started walking down the hall and I trailed behind.
We then stopped and I looked over and there was the bathroom. I walked in and over to the mirrors. When I looked at myself all I could see was an obese, zit faced girl with dirty, cheap clothes.
I couldn’t stand looking at myself anymore so; I just took a few paper towels and dried my face then left. James was there waiting for me and he showed me to the cafeteria and let me sit at his table. I didn’t know how he could be so nice to me when I’m a hideous girl and he doesn’t even know me.
During the rest of school I was so worried about what people were thinking when they saw me. I tried avoiding people as much as I could so no one would have to deal with how hideous I was. Then when the last bell had rung I got out so fast that nobody probably noticed where I went. I hoped to God that my mom would be here waiting for me so I could go home and away from this horrible first day.
I looked out the glass front doors and I didn’t see my mom’s car out there anywhere. I decided to call her to make sure she was on her way, but to my despair she told me I had to walk because she was called into work early and didn’t have time to pick me up not even for a split second.
I started on my walk home that luckily was only half in hour away by walking, but I’m scared I might get lost because I wasn’t really paying attention when I was dropped off this morning on how to get from my house to the school.
It was cold walking home having the big gust of cold winds blowing at me. It was fall time almost winter, but I still was hoping that it could change for the sack of me having to walk home in this.




Chapter 5
I wake up by my alarm beeping telling me it’s time to get ready for school. I didn’t want to go, but I knew I had to no matter what so; I dragged myself out of bed and down the stairs. I walked into the kitchen and picked up a box of Lucky Charms cereal and made myself breakfast. When I sat down at the dinning room table I looked over to the mirror on the wall and saw the same picture I saw in the bathroom. I decided to throw my cereal away and not eat breakfast for a first.
I then started to get ready, but when I finished neither my dad nor mom were up yet. I walked over to their room and peeked in. I saw my dad sleeping, but my mom was no where in there. I decided to wake my dad after a slight pause of thinking of where my mom could be.
“Dad, wake up. I don’t know where mom is and I need to get to school.” I said as I shook his shoulder to wake him up.
“She had to go back into work and didn’t you see note that said to ride the bus?” He seemed angry, and I didn’t know why.
“No, I didn’t. I’m sorry, but are you going to bring me or am I not going today?” I asked hoping I could stay home for the day.
“You’re going to school,” he said as he then started to get louder. “Now shut up, you’re lucky I’m not making you walk there!”
He hurried me out the door cussing and yelling at me the whole time. It was so hard for me to fight back the tears that were building up inside me. The only good thing was that I was going to be seeing James who has been the only nice person to me since I’ve gotten here.
He seems like a good kid, but I don’t know him well enough to tell him how I feel so if anything happens today I will have to call Amanda. She is one of my best friends and she was the hardest to move away from. I went to her for anything especially sense I could never go to my parents about anything.
“Get out and you’re riding the bus or walking. Your bus number will be number 123. Goodbye.” My dad said as I got out of the car.
“Okay, bye dad.” I told him as I shut the door to his silver 2003 Chevy Cavalier.
I walked up the steps and into the school. I first went to my locker which was on the second floor above my first class. When I was taking my jacket off at my locker I saw people looking and pointing at me. I then looked myself up and down and I didn’t see anything wrong.
I went through the rest of school always seeing people staring and pointing and a few laughs at times. I felt self conscious something I’ve never felt before at my old school. I didn’t know what to think anymore nothing was getting better.
The last class of today James came up to me while I was sitting at my desk minding my own business.
“Cassie, I have the feeling your not really liking this school. I don’t want that for you. Could you tell me what’s going on and why you seem so unsocial now and why you didn’t eat anything at lunch?” He asked then waited for me to answer.
I didn’t say anything back. He looked at me more intensely that I turned away and looked at my blue binder on my desk.
“You can tell me, but if you don’t want to its okay I just hope you would talk to someone.” He then said after the silence then started to walk away.
I was going to talk to someone so there shouldn’t be any problems with him; I’m doing what he asked me to do. I just hope that Amanda could help me out with this. Before I thought anything more the bell rang and I went to get ready to get on the bus and go home.
The bus was right in front so it didn’t take long to get too. Although when I got on the bus one of the girls that was from my English class was sitting in the front seat of the bus. I turned away from her so she wouldn’t think I was staring at her. I took a seat in the back by myself and I stared out the window seeing all the students going to their bus in a happy mood.
I then heard the buses starting up and then leave the school. I looked in a glare at the seat in front of me thinking about how I was going to tell Amanda. I wasn’t sure to start with the few good things that have happened or to start with the bad. Then something hit me and I saw it was a crumpled piece of paper. I opened it and read until I couldn’t take anymore of it. I stuffed it in my coat pocket and waited hesitantly for my stop. When it came up I ran up the isle of the bus to get off as soon as I could.
“Hey! Walk, don’t run.” My bus driver scolded at me.
“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again; I promise.” I apologized and got off the bus.
I ran into my house almost tripping over a branch that was lying on the ground. I accidentally slammed the door shut, but I didn’t care and I went straight to my room. I wanted to cry, but I tried not to so I could call Amanda without her knowing that something was wrong right away.

Audrey 46-51

Chapter 13.
Miranda hadn’t said a word since she arrived at the police station. She wouldn’t answer anyone’s questions, including the police officer’s or her attorney’s.
Taryn wasn’t surprised. Her friend wasn’t one to talk before all this had happened, and the after effect had made it even worse. Taryn needed to see Miranda. She begged her mother to take her to the police station, and it worked when the fake tears started forming in her eyes. They called the station and asked if it was okay for them to go down, they gladly agreed.
When they arrived, Taryn was nervous. She hadn’t personally talked to Miranda since all of this had happened and wasn’t sure how either of them were going to react. They told the short blonde lady at the desk who they were, and she was surprisingly delighted to see them.
“Miranda will not talk to anyone. We tried everything we could. We were hoping you might be able to talk to her, but that’s only if you want to.” She said.
Taryn wasn’t sure if even she could get Miranda to talk. She felt as if Miranda knew it was Taryn’s fault she was forced into such a terrible situation. The guilt alone made her fear the loss of her best friend.
“Sure. I’ll do my best.” Taryn said, unsure of what she was about to do.
She was hoping so much Miranda would talk to her. Taryn needed the forgiveness she was wanting so badly from the person she hurt so much. She couldn’t believe how she could take so much advantage of such an innocent girl; the person she knew was her best friend.
Taryn followed the lady through the crowded police station. There were so many scummy looking people starring up at her from the cold benches they had been subdued to. She couldn’t help think; what if Miranda was being charged like one of these people? Taryn would have to get her to talk; it was the only way to clear everything up and save her from enduring such a tragedy as the reckless people in front of her were.
The hallway Taryn was in was narrow with dirty, seemingly once, white walls constricting her as if trying to keep her contained. She could feel her heart pound a little faster with every step she took, nearing the room where she would either face a new enemy, or relive a once cherished friendship. The lady led them through a door into a very small room. There was what appeared to be a window looking upon a depressing scene.
The girl Taryn saw was definitely Miranda, but only someone who knew her very well would be able to determine that. Her hair was an array of greasy looking strands resting on her shoulders. The clothes she was wearing were beat up and drooping from her body clearly indicating their size was too big for her figure. Her eyelids sagged very low and had the darkest purple bags below them. Her appearance was a disaster and so was the mood she was giving off.
Taryn felt the smallest tear slide down her cheek and onto her lip. She quickly wiped it off with the back of her hand and felt her mother’s hand rubbing her shoulder in a soothing motion. She took a deep breath and nodded to the blonde lady, signaling she was ready to go in.
Taryn walked into the room and could instantly feel the sorrow enter her body. She felt an uneasy breath escape her lungs and fill the air around her. Miranda must have noticed. She lifted up her head in a slow and tiring motion and looked at Taryn’s face. Her eyebrows creased and her face didn’t seem as depressed as it had moments before. There eyes met and Taryn could feel every thought she had ever had slip away. Miranda looked as if something miraculous had just happened, like she wasn’t ever expecting to see Taryn again.
They held each other’s gaze for a minute longer until Taryn managed to squeeze out a word.
“Hi.” She said.
Miranda paused for a minute. Taryn was sure she wasn’t going to answer. She felt as if this was how it was going to end; her best friend stuck in a police station, not wanting anything to do with her or any of the world for that matter… Finally, Miranda put her thumb nail against her bottom lip and looked down at the table in front of her. Her lips spread apart slowly.
“Hi.” Was all that she managed to croak out.










Chapter 14.
The meeting was awkward and Taryn wasn’t sure what to say or do. She looked around the room and noticed the mirror on the wall. She realized it was the window she had been looking through upon previously entering the room she was now in. She felt the blood rush to her face as she realized the people on the other side must be witnessing the reuniting of her and Miranda.
She turned back to Taryn and noticed her also starring at the mirror.
“They’ve been watching me forever,” Miranda said.
Taryn was surprised and felt herself roll up onto the balls of her feet.
“It must be really nerve wracking,” Taryn said, quietly.
Miranda looked at Taryn and the look on her face was a good enough answer.
“Uhm, Miranda?” Taryn said.
Miranda looked up again and caught Taryn’s glance. Taryn accepted that as an invitation to continue her thought.
“I know this isn’t ever going to be enough, but I wanted to let you know how absolutely sorry I am. What I did was so horrible and I never meant for it to happen. I-,” She was cutoff when Miranda began shaking her head.
“I don’t want an apology; I just want all of this to be over with. I want the gaping whole inside of me to go away. I want all of the terrible memories to be erased from my mind. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this Taryn, I really don’t.” Miranda said, her tired eyes filled with pain.
Taryn walked over to the table and pulled out the chair next to Miranda. She sat down apprehensively and contemplated what she should say next, but stopped when Miranda continued.
“Taryn I will tell you everything that happened and I know they’ll be listening in,” she motioned to the double sided mirror, “but now that you’re here, I’ll do anything I have to to get this over with.”
Taryn nodded and prepared herself for the awful scenes Miranda was about to unfold. She looked at Miranda with sympathetic eyes and let her know she was there for her. Miranda took a few deep breathes and closed her eyes for what seemed like forever. She didn’t reopen them for any of the time she told her story, only pressing them closed tighter when she spoke of the worst parts.
Taryn was disgusted with the things she forced herself to imagine as Miranda relived them. She felt her body shaking after everything had been put out for her to absorb. Tears were streaming down her face and she couldn’t take her eyes off of Miranda as she sat completely still, her eyes still closed.
They sat together for an hour or so more. Taryn tried to understand the pain Miranda would now live with forever, but she couldn’t, and even though Miranda wouldn’t admit it, Taryn convinced herself every last detail was her fault.
When they finally left the room, their parents were waiting for the both of them on the other side. They too had wet faces and swollen eyes. Miranda’s father took her by the shoulders and looked his daughter in the eyes. More tears flowed from his eyes as he told Miranda what he thought he would never be able to.
“I’m so sorry.” He said.
Her body fell limp and he caught her. She steadied herself and Taryn saw Miranda’s face contort, like she was forcing back sobs. Then it happened. Miranda fell into her father’s arms and let out all the emotions she was bottling inside. Her body shook with painful sobs and her breathing was erratic. This was the first time Taryn had seen Miranda cry throughout everything that had happened. Taryn was amazed at what a strong person Miranda was.

Audrey 21-46

Chapter 6.
When Taryn woke up the next morning, she had no idea of where she was. The bed she was in wasn’t familiar to her in any way. The room she had found herself in was a disaster, and she didn’t know who it belonged to. She found herself staring at a blank wall, and couldn’t seem to build up the courage to roll over and look at the person she had stumbled into bed with.
Taryn could hear the snores erupting from the stranger’s mouth and felt as if she could not take another second of lying in the bed. She slowly removed the sheet from her body, and threw her legs off the side of the bed. Taryn eyed the room and finally located the clothes she had been wearing the previous night. She put them on and decided she would have to look at the guy that had brought her to his house.
He had to of been five years older than Taryn, and his scruffy features didn’t seem to satisfy her. She scrunched her nose and started to feel nauseous. Taryn couldn’t believe she had let herself do this, and was even more upset that Miranda hadn’t done anything to prevent it.
Taryn realized she had no way of getting home and decided she should call Miranda. She patted her pockets looking for her cell phone, and was disappointed when she didn’t feel it anywhere. She groaned and quickly threw her hand over her mouth, remembering she hadn’t yet left the house.
She walked through the already half opened door and made her way into the cool, spring air. The street was familiar to her, and she knew she’d be able to walk home in about an hour.
Taryn walked on the side of the road until she got to her house. It took her a little more than an hour and her mother wasn’t very happy.
She quietly pushed open the screen door and tried to jump over the creaky floorboards in the entryway. Taryn’s mom had apparently noticed her arrival and ran into the room.
“Where have you been?!” She shouted.
“Mom calm down,” Taryn said quietly, “I was with Miranda.”
“How is that possible? I just called her house and her parents said she wasn’t there.” Her mother said, clearly upset.
A puzzled look crossed Taryn’s face. She couldn’t understand how Miranda had not been home yet. Taryn knew Miranda way too well, and was sure she wouldn’t have done the same thing she had done the night before.
“What? How? Where could she be?” Taryn questioned, mostly to herself.
“Taryn. Where have you been, and why isn’t Miranda with you?” Her mother questioned once more.
Taryn had no idea of what happened the night before, and she couldn’t think of an excuse fast enough to calm her mother. She decided it would probably be best to tell her the whole story.
When it was over, Taryn’s mother couldn’t believe the kind of person her daughter had become. She was very disappointed and Taryn knew her mother’s feelings would be worse than any punishment she would receive.
At this point, all that filled her head was the thought of what could have happened to Miranda. She ran up the stairs to her room, and picked up the phone. Even though she was still upset about the whole night, she realized it probably wasn’t completely Miranda’s fault. The phone rang four times until Miranda’s father answered. The sound of his voice made Taryn forget the reason she had decided to call one of her least favorite people.
“Hello?” He repeated, obviously annoyed.
“Oh, sorry. Hi, it’s Taryn. Is Miranda there?”
“No, we thought she was on her way home from dropping you off.”
“Oh. Well no I haven’t seen her since last night.” Taryn said quietly.
“What? She was with you, how could you not know where she went?” He questioned, raising his voice.
Taryn hadn’t expected this. He never seemed to care about how Miranda lived her life, but now he was clearly worried about where she was. Taryn meticulously retold every aspect of the night, making sure she hadn’t missed any details herself. Miranda’s father was dumbfounded. He had no idea his daughter was even capable of attending a party. He actually wasn’t really aware of anything his daughter did.
Taryn tried to explain that she didn’t mean to leave his daughter at the party. She was drunk and not in the right state of mind. He was very upset and tried to explain to Taryn that he had been trying to call her cell phone ever since he had realized she hadn’t been home the night before. He questioned Taryn for almost an hour, trying to get any information from her of where Miranda could possibly be. Miranda’s father told Taryn to keep calling her, and that he would too.
Taryn couldn’t believe this was happening. She knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant experience. Her best friend had never done anything like this, and Taryn was sure some of it had to of been her fault. She had convinced her to go to the party with her even though she could have sworn it wasn’t something she really wanted to do.
When Taryn hung up the phone with Miranda’s father, she immediately dialed Miranda’s phone number. Strangely, it went straight to her voicemail. Taryn left a frantic voice message and continued to do so for the next hour. She sent more than twenty text messages to Miranda’s phone and waited for a replay that never came.
When the sky began to change from light blue to black, Taryn couldn’t seem to calm herself. She had done everything she could think of, and figured she should call Miranda’s dad again. She put the phone against her face, and waited for an answer. Taryn wasn’t surprised when someone’s voice greeted her after the first ring.
“Hello?” Said Miranda’s mother in a hopeful voice.
“Hi. It’s Taryn again,” said Taryn, “I just wanted to let you know I’ve done everything I can think of, and I’m afraid I still don’t know where Miranda is.”
“Oh. This is terrible. I can’t believe I let this happen. I should have made sure I knew what she was doing and where she was going. Why didn’t I pay more attention to what she had said a few nights ago?” Miranda’s mother rambled on.
“It’s not your fault, calm down, she’ll be okay. I’m very sorry I didn’t stay with her for the whole party, and that I wasn’t very responsible.” Taryn apologized.
Taryn knew it had to of been her fault. She went with Miranda to the party, and should have done everything she could have to be a good friend. Now the most important person in her life was no where to be found, and she couldn’t stand the guilt in the back of her mind.
“Well we called the police, and told them what happened. They said they would file a missing persons report, and do what they could to try and locate her. We told them the address of the party and what her car looks like. If they find anything out, they’ll call,” said Taryn’s mother, “and Taryn, even though we are very disappointed in both of you, thank you for helping.”
“Well she’s my best friend and I’ll do anything to help. Call me if the police know anything. I’m sorry again.” Taryn said as she hung up the phone.
Taryn threw the phone on the floor, slammed her door and fell onto her bed. She put her face in her pillow and let out a scream. She couldn’t stop the tears that were pouring from her eyes. Taryn never thought anything like this would happen to Miranda and she couldn’t stop thinking that it was her fault. She was beginning to regret the party. Nothing was worth losing Miranda and she had to do everything she could to help find her.









Chapter 7.
Monday’s newspaper was filled with terror and the cries of Miranda’s parents for any information regarding her disappearance. Miranda’s name seemed to be the only thing noticeable to anyone who dared to absorb the contents of the local news. It had been forty five hours and thirty two minutes since Miranda had been classified as missing and Taryn was more than a wreck.
Taryn knew she wouldn’t be able to drive herself to school. She hadn’t even been able to normally walk down the stairs that morning. Her mother drove her to school and dropped her off with a sympathetic look carved upon her face. Worry lines appeared to be etched on every inch of her pale face. Taryn’s face had to of been a perfect replica of her mother’s, and it didn’t look healthy.
Even though it had only been a couple of days since her best friend had disappeared, Taryn was falling apart faster than anyone would have expected. The feeling consuming her whole being was that of pure guilt and she hadn’t slept since the moment she realized Miranda might not ever come back. Despite all the pain she was living with, she convinced herself she couldn’t give up hope. That would make the return of Miranda merely impossible.
Taryn walked into the school with her head down. She knew all eyes were on her. She could feel them penetrating the shield she forced herself to put up. It wasn’t working and she felt the need to look up. Her eyes met with those of a lot of her fellow classmates. They were filled with fear and sadness. Taryn couldn’t handle it.
She found herself sitting on the floor in the smallest bathroom stall she could find. Her hands were trying to prevent the sobs escaping her body. No one appeared to have been in bathroom, but a small knock on the door of Taryn’s stall proved her assumption wrong.
“Taryn? Are you in there?” said a small voice.
Taryn wiped the tears covering her now swollen, red face. She cleared her throat and tried not to let the fear inside of her be translated into words.
“Yeah. Who’s out there?” Taryn asked nervously.
“It’s Kate. I wanted to see if you were okay.”
Taryn’s face filled with confusion. Why did Kate want to know if she was okay? How did Kate even know who she was? The thoughts filling Taryn’s head prevented her from answering right away.
“Hello?” Kate said.
“Sorry. Yeah I’m fine.” Taryn said with a hint of confusion in every word.
“Okay. Well I just wanted to let you know that if you need anyone to talk to, you can talk to me.” Kate said, almost too confident.
Taryn wasn’t sure she had heard her right. She still couldn’t believe Kate knew who she was, and let alone wanted to help her.
“Oh. Well thanks a lot.” Taryn said.
Kate slipped a folded piece of notebook paper under the stall door. Taryn picked it up and unfolded it quietly. She noticed that numbers were printed neatly across the small paper. It was a phone number. Taryn assumed it was Kate’s number, and small smile spread across her chapped lips. She tried to blurt out a “thanks”, but she heard the bathroom door close before the thought even crossed her mind.
Taryn shoved the phone number into her pocket and wiped her face one last time. She stood up and inhaled deeply, exhaling the same way. She opened the stall and walked to the sink. Taryn looked in the mirror for a long time, trying to recognize the zombie she was looking in the eyes. She splashed her face with cold water and tried to put herself back together, somewhat.
The long walk from the bathroom to her locker was relentless. People couldn’t help starring and whispering, thinking she wouldn’t notice. When she finally got the books she needed from her locker, she took no time at all to get to her first class. It was almost worse than the walk she had just made. The whole day went like this, and Kate seemed to be the only person who really cared, and Taryn couldn’t understand why.
When school was over and Taryn was back home, she couldn’t help but listen to the phone messages. Taryn was surprised when Miranda’s mother had left a message informing Taryn that they had news. Taryn wasted no time. She grabbed the phone and ran for her room, not stopping to tell her mother what the rush was.
The phone rang twice before a distressed voice picked up.
“Hello?” Said Miranda’s mother quickly.
“Hi it’s Taryn. I got your message.”
“Oh, hi Taryn. Well I Just wanted to let you know the police found Miranda’s car on the side of the road. The keys were still in it along with Miranda’s phone and wallet.” Miranda’s mother sounded terrified.
Taryn did not know what to say. Her mouth was open and wouldn’t move. The phone was shaking in her iron grip. She knew it was bad. Why would Miranda leave her car and everything in it on the side of the road?
“I know your scared Taryn, and so are we. I- I have to go. I’ll call if I know anything else.” Miranda’s mother said, Taryn could tell she was now forcing back tears.
The phone fell from Taryn’s hand and crashed to the floor. It didn’t matter. Taryn was in shock and nothing could break her concentration. She knew someone must have taken Miranda, and she didn’t know what to do.
Her head spun and her body went limp. She fell to the floor and lay on her side. She pulled her knees to her chest and tried to hold it together. Crying wasn’t going to bring her friend back and she knew that. Taryn needed time to think. She wanted more than anything to find her friend and whoever had taken Miranda from her.
Taryn didn’t want to waste anymore time. She had to do anything she could to get her friend back. She felt fully responsible for her disappearance now, and the guilt was just too much. Just laying on her floor wasn’t an effective use of time, and she knew it could mean less time to retrieve Miranda.
Death was all that filled Taryn’s head. The thought of Miranda’s body, mutilated and cold, sent spasms through her. What if they were too late and searching was just a waste of time? Taryn couldn’t help questioning herself, and she knew it was a bad idea. She forced herself to hide every bad thought in the back of her mind, never to be heard again.

Chapter 8.
Taryn found herself on the floor the next morning. She hadn’t moved since the news she had acquired from Miranda’s mother. She was upset with herself for not doing anything the night before. She sat up and realized her mother must have put a blanket on her. Taryn took it off and stood up quickly, falling onto her bed almost simultaneously. She hadn’t eaten in a long time or slept very well for that matter.
Taryn’s mother appeared in the doorway with breakfast for Taryn. It was almost like she had read her mind. Taryn ate fast, not tasting any of the food she consumed. Her mother looked worried and tried to get Taryn’s attention, unsuccessfully. Taryn was rushing around her room, putting on jeans, a sweatshirt and pulling on thick socks.
“Taryn!” Her mother shouted.
Taryn looked up quickly with her hair covering most of her face. She brushed it back and answered her mother.
“What?”
“What’s going on? What are you doing?” Her mother questioned.
Taryn froze. She forgot she hadn’t told her mother of the new discoveries the police had made. Taryn explained quickly.
“Well the police found Miranda’s car, with everything in it and she wasn’t there and they don’t know where she is and I can’t just sit here and do nothing. Miranda could be in trouble and I need to find her because this is all my fault mom.” Tears were streaming down Taryn’s face at this point and her mother’s arms were wrapped around her in an attempt to comfort her.
“Mom I have to go. I have to find her. This is my fault. I cant-” she was cutoff.
“You are not to go anywhere near the place her car was found or near that road at all. This can’t happen to you to. Promise me you won’t go.” Her mother said.
Taryn was shocked. Her mother really thought this could happen to her too? Taryn didn’t want to make the promise, but she didn’t want to disappear like Miranda either. Taryn was the only person her mother had left, and she didn’t want to hurt her like that.
“Okay mom. I promise. But we have to do something. Just sitting here is killing me.” Taryn said.
“We’ll do whatever we can. But I’m not so sure what that is at the moment. This is a tough situation and the police are going to do all they can.” Taryn’s mother said, reassuringly.
Taryn couldn’t argue with her mother. She didn’t have the strength. The whole situation was tough, and it was draining every ounce of sanity from Taryn. She wasn’t thinking correctly and didn’t have the best judgment at the moment. Going to the place Miranda was abducted probably wasn’t the best idea. The town didn’t need two teenage disappearances to deal with. They could barely handle one.
Taryn had to search her head for any detail pertaining to the dreadful night. If she couldn’t go back to the scene, she’d have to replay every scene of the night, if she could.
She started with the moment Miranda arrived at her house. She remembered the light blue sweater and jeans Miranda had chose to wear. Taryn couldn’t help smiling when recalling her friend’s bland sense of style. She thought of the beginning of the drive to the end. She stopped when she remembered seeing Miranda’s distressed face when they were almost to the party.
Taryn tried to recall everything going on in the car at that point. The music was blasting and Taryn remembered herself dancing in the small confinements of the car. She pulled the image of Miranda back into the front of her mind and studied it. Taryn then saw the rearview mirror in the image she had made in her mind. Then the picture of some black truck filled her head.
Taryn flashed back to reality, stunned. She couldn’t believe she had forgotten the dirty black truck. She knew she had seen it following them, but didn’t want to scare Miranda. According to Taryn’s flashback, Miranda had seen it too, from the distressed look on her face.
Taryn stood up so fast that her mother jumped. Taryn tried to run for the phone but was forced to stop when her mother grabbed her arm.
“Where are you going? What just happened?” Taryn’s mother questioned.
“I just made a break through mom. I’ll tell you about it after I call Miranda’s parents.” Taryn said, very confident.

Chapter 9.
Taryn wasted no time at all picking up the phone and dialing the number she had memorized before she was twelve. Her fingers flew over the buttons and she had the phone against her face before her mother could even turn around. This time it was Miranda’s father who answered and he sounded as frantic as Miranda’s mother.
“Hello?” He answered, quickly.
“Hi Mr. Phillips, it’s Miranda again. I have to tell you something.” Taryn blurted out.
“Okay, well go on.” He said, very hopeful.
“Well I was just trying to think of anything that might be able to help find Miranda, and I remembered a truck that was behind us when we were on our way to the party. It might not be very helpful, but it was kinda creepy and I thought I should tell you.” Taryn told her story very carefully.
“Taryn that’s great. Please describe it to me the best you can. Did you see the license plate by any chance?” He questioned.
“Well I can’t remember it; I barely even noticed the truck. It was real dirty though, and it had some sort of blue light on top of it.” Taryn said.
“Okay. Well thanks a lot. I’m going to call detective Williams and let him know what you saw. If you think of anything else, don’t hesitate to call. Every little detail is helpful.” Mr. Phillips told Taryn.
“Of course. Bye.” Taryn hung up the phone.
Taryn’s mother was sitting on her bed with a very confused look on her face. Taryn sat down beside her and told her mother all the information she had just shared with Miranda’s father.
Taryn’s mother put a small smile on her face. She looked into Taryn’s eyes and saw nothing but hope. She put her arms around her daughter and hugged her. She knew that even with the new information, it was still going to be difficult to find Miranda.
“Honey, it’s good you remembered that, but I don’t know if it’s going to be much help without the license plate.” Taryn’s mother said with an apologetic look on her face.
“I know mom.” Taryn said.
That ended the conversation and Taryn’s mother left her daughter’s room, leaving her with as much comfort that she could. Taryn thought for a second, and realized she couldn’t sit around. She decided that maybe a long drive would help to calm her a little bit.
She got into her car and drove, not knowing where she was going or what she should think about. The quiet wasn’t helping, so she turned on the radio. The song was very familiar. It was the one her and Miranda had been listening to when they were on their way to the party. Taryn started singing along.
She snapped back to reality when her car had drifted into the other lane and she saw a car swerve to miss her. Her heart was racing. Not because of the fatal accident she had almost caused, but because the song had helped her remember something.
The letters and numbers of the license plate were now etched inside her mind. She pulled over and dug through the glove compartment for something to write with and to write on. A crayon and napkin were going to have to suffice. She wrote it down and picked it up to admire it. XCA 22J was scrawled onto the wrinkled napkin in green crayon.
Taryn couldn’t believe she had brought the image into clear view. It seemed impossible, even to her. She was back at her house before her mother had even realized she was missing. She burst through the door calling for her mother to come into the entry way with the phone. Her mother thought questioning wouldn’t be a good idea, so she did as she was told. Taryn, once again, called the Phillip’s residence.
“Hello?” Mr. Phillip’s answered.
“It’s me again.” Taryn said, almost breathless.
“Oh. Well hi.” He answered. It seemed like he wasn’t expecting her to call.
“I remember the license plate number!” Taryn exclaimed.
“What?! That’s great! Hold on let me get a piece of paper.” He said.
Taryn told him the plate identification and he promised her he would call the detective right after he hung up with her. Taryn felt the smallest bit relieved, like she was helping the police get somewhere in the case.





Chapter 10.
Taryn woke up the next morning with the sun’s ray’s radiating through her window. She squinted and looked around the room. To her it felt like the past few days had all been a huge never ending nightmare. She felt her heart sink when she looked on her nightstand and noticed the small piece of paper with numbers on it. It was Kate’s phone number.
Taryn had forgotten about the incident the day she went to school a total mess. She smiled and picked up the paper and the phone next to it. She dialed the neatly written out number and waited. She didn’t know why she was calling or what she was planning on saying, but Taryn needed someone to talk to.
Kate answered in a very quiet voice, and Taryn remembered there was school that day, but she had decided not to show up. She really didn’t care anymore, and she probably wouldn’t until Miranda came back.
“Hi it’s Taryn. Sorry, I forgot you were probably at school.”
“Oh well it’s cool, I’m in study hall anyway. What’s up?” Kate said.
“Well I just wanted to say thanks for giving me your number and everything.” Taryn said, embarrassed that that was all she could think of.
“Well I feel really bad. I wasn’t always the nicest person to Miranda and now she’s gone. She doesn’t deserve this, and neither do you. I’ll do anything I can to help.” Kate said.
They finished their small conversation and hung up. Taryn was confused. She hadn’t ever expected a girl like Kate to care. Now that Miranda was gone, everyone seemed to be caring. It was a wakeup call for anyone who knew of her, but hadn’t actually had the chance to get to know her. No one would of expected a girl this unknown to cause such chaos.
Later that morning, the Phillips called Taryn and told her that the police ran the license plate through the database and found an address. They’d be able to go to the house and ask the owner, Carl Wilson, questions regarding what he had been doing the night of the party. They probably wouldn’t be able to get a search warrant because of the lack of evidence, but would see if they could get anymore proof that maybe he was the culprit.
Taryn had a feeling that he had to be the one who took away her best friend. She couldn’t think of anyone else who could possibly bear to do this to such an innocent girl. It had to be someone totally unfamiliar to her.













Chapter 11.
Taryn was in her car once again, driving for no reason at all. She was flying through small streets at such fast speeds she wasn’t able to notice any of the surroundings moving past her. When a small symbol appeared on her dashboard, her eyes flickered to it and she sighed. Her tank was almost empty and she was sure she’d need to stop for gas if she wanted to get home without causing a scene.
She pulled into the nearest gas station and fidgeted with the gas pump until it signaled her tank was full. She took the receipt and went into the store in order to pay. She walked in and saw a few other people scattered around preoccupied with their tasks. She noticed a lady waiting in line to pay for the coffee she was holding, and what seemed to be a couple in the back.
Taryn instantly realized something was wrong with the way the two other people were standing. The way he was grasping her arm seemed in no way loving toward the girl. They were facing the wall and Taryn couldn’t seem to make out what was going on.
The man put his face into the girl’s and began quietly shouting at her, like he was punishing her for something unnoticed by the other people crammed into the small store.
Taryn felt remorse for the young girl. She couldn’t have been older than seventeen or eighteen and the man was obviously over powering her. Her jacket was large and the hood was covering most of her head, revealing nothing but a few strands of hair escaping from it. Taryn felt oddly attracted to the girl. The way she was standing and the color of her hair was appealing, like she recognized it.
The man pulled on the girl’s arm and yanked her through the glass doors, leaving Taryn in a shocked state. She hadn’t seen the girl’s face but she felt like they were connected in some way.
Suddenly it all clicked. That had to of been Miranda. Taryn knew the girl was familiar, and she couldn’t think of anyone else who generated such strong feelings towards her.
Taryn pulled the money out of her pocket and threw it at the cashier, telling him to “keep the change”. She bolted out of the doors and flew into the parking lot. She whipped her head in every direction, spotting the black truck pulling out of the gas station. She sprinted for her car and jumped in, chasing after the truck as soon as her door slammed shut.
She kept a close distance behind it for about a half hour. After it pulled onto what seemed like a deserted road, Taryn slowed down and watched carefully. The driveway the truck turned into led to a small, old looking house. Taryn drove some feet past the house and parked her car on the side of the road, making sure her keys were with her. She walked towards the house, making sure to stay hidden from it’s view.
Taryn reached the side of the house and ducked below a cracked window. She heard a deep, husky voice inside and knew it had to belong to the man who was now in control of Miranda.
“Girl get on the floor and clean my shoes! They better be spotless!” Said the man, “we’re leaving in thirty minutes and you better have all my things ready!”
Taryn cringed as the words bellowed from his mouth and shook the window above her head. She was furious he dared to treat her like that. She was planning her route into the house in order to save Miranda. It wasn’t going to be easy, and could possibly mean the end for both of them, but she had to try. There was no other way, she didn’t have her cell phone and wouldn’t have time to get to the police. She wouldn’t let him leave with her, it was her only choice.
Taryn heard the man’s foot steps leave the room and the faint sobs coming from Miranda. She decided to open the window further and climb inside. The cracked paint scrapped her hands and left small cuts, but she wasn’t aware. Her shoes made a small thud as she hit the floor and Miranda’s head jerked up, acknowledging Taryn’s presence.
Her face was worn out and her eyes were filled with fear. The clothes she was wearing were torn and dirty, spotted with everything from dirt to blood. Her eyes widened so wide Taryn thought they might fall out of her head. Taryn put her finger to her lips and motioned for Miranda to climb out of the window with her. Miranda was motionless. Taryn furiously waved her hand, but Miranda wouldn’t move.
Their eyes flew to the bedroom door when they heard the door knob click. Miranda looked at Taryn with more fear in her eyes than before. Taryn flew behind the sofa and covered her mouth, silencing the harsh breathes erupting from inside her.
“Are you done yet girl?! Why do I always have to tell you more than once?! Get it done!” Said the man.
Taryn flinched when she heard a crack. The man’s hand had plowed into Miranda’s face with more force than she would have thought possible. Taryn peeked from her hiding place and saw Miranda fall fully to the floor, covering her face with both hands, trying to keep the blood from dripping onto the floor. Taryn pulled out the phone she had taken from the man’s coffee table and punched in 911.
The phone dropped from Taryn’s shaky hands and crashed to the floor. She froze.
“What the hell was that?” The man questioned.
He turned around and made his way toward where Taryn was. Taryn prepared for his arrival and closed her eyes. Then Taryn heard another loud crash. Taryn stood up to see the man had fallen to the floor and was cradling his head. Miranda was standing over him with a broken bottle in her hand. Taryn jumped to where Miranda was standing, and grabbed her arm, leading her to where she believed the door was.
Miranda fell when the man grabbed her foot and began pulling her towards him. Taryn grabbed both of her arms and pulled with all her strength. They had to get out of there alive. The man stood up and pushed Miranda behind him. He threw Taryn into the wall and grabbed Miranda, pulling her towards a door near the bedroom.
Taryn tried to steady herself and run after them, but they were threw the door much too fast. She grabbed the handle and tried to rip it open, without any luck. Where had he taken her? What was he going to do?
Taryn ran threw the front door and began banging on the garage door. That’s where he must have taken Miranda. She couldn’t hear anything, but the sirens approaching the place she was standing, breathless. In that instant the garage door began slowly opening, and Taryn backed away cautiously. Was he coming for her now?












Chapter 12.
Everything around Taryn was now a grey smear filling her peripheral vision. The only thing she saw were the feet under the garage door, slowly turning into legs. Time was moving too slowly. So many thoughts raced through Taryn’s mind until it was completely impossible to pick out a single one. She thought about running, but her feet wouldn’t budge. She thought about screaming for help, but who would hear? She thought about the consequences all these actions could have, and one in particular filled her with fear. Miranda could be dead, and doing something drastic might grant her the same fate.
The garage door rose in slow motion, revealing, inch by inch, the tattered clothes the person was wearing. The shirt was familiar, but Taryn couldn’t remember who had been wearing it. She stumbled back a few steps when she realized it could be him, coming to now hurt her.
Taryn’s eyes widened, absorbing the now visible scene in front of her. Miranda’s face was in so much pain, and she was shaking uncontrollably. Taryn followed Miranda’s shaking right arm with her eyes, until she abruptly stopped at her hand. Miranda’s hand was gripped so tightly around a knife her knuckles were slowly turning purple.
The knife wasn’t what scared Taryn the most; it was the fresh, red blood dripping from it. It hit the ground in small splatters, creating a puddle. Taryn couldn’t remove her eyes from the gruesome sight. What lay in the background was even worse. When Taryn forced herself to look, a large lump lay on the cold ground, with blood covering and surrounding it.
It was like the ending of a horror movie was being played in front of her. She didn’t know if it was real, and didn’t know how she should react. Miranda was motionless except for the uncontrollable spasms shaking her body. Taryn wanted to run over to her but the knife dangling from her iron grip wasn’t very inviting.
Taryn heard the sirens behind her and turned around to see a line of red and blue flashing lights approaching the house. The officers told Miranda to drop the knife, and she did. They ran up to her and noticed the mutilated body hunched over in the garage.
Miranda’s gaze wouldn’t disconnect with Taryn’s. Miranda looked so terrified, and Taryn could only imagine the thoughts filling her head. She had just done something Taryn thought only the psycho paths on television were capable of doing. Even though it was an awful thing to think, Taryn was glad Miranda had the guts to end this man’s life. If she hadn’t, they would probably both be dead now. Taryn felt the ground shaking beneath her, and her surroundings twisting into one big blur. Miranda had saved both of their lives, and she knew she wasn’t giving her enough credit.
The last thing Taryn remembered was an officer ask her if she was okay and some other questions she didn’t remember. She couldn’t recall what her answers had been, all she knew was she was now riding in the back of a police car. Her head was still spinning. What did they do with Miranda? She didn’t want to ask the officers, fearing what the answer might be.
The car pulled up to Taryn’s house all too slowly. The officer told her they’d call if they had anymore questions. Taryn flung open the door and stumbled onto her door step. In the same moment, she was resting in her mother’s arms. Taryn broke away after a few seconds and questioned her mother about where Miranda was.
The look on her mother’s face changed. It was no longer the look of relief it had been a few moments ago.
“Honey, she’s okay. She’s just not acting right.” Her mother said sounding concerned.












Chapter 13.
Miranda hadn’t said a word since she arrived at the police station. She wouldn’t answer anyone’s questions, including the police officer’s or her attorney’s.
Taryn wasn’t surprised. Her friend wasn’t one to talk before all this had happened, and the after effect had made it even worse. Taryn needed to see Miranda. She begged her mother to take her to the police station, and it worked when the fake tears started forming in her eyes. They called the station and asked if it was okay for them to go down, and they gladly agreed.
When they arrived, Taryn was nervous. She hadn’t seen Miranda since all of this had happened, and wasn’t sure how either of them were going to react. They told the short blonde lady at the desk who they were, and she was surprisingly delighted to see them.
“Miranda will not talk to anyone. We tried everything we could. We were hoping you might be able to talk to her, but that’s only if you want to.” She said.
Taryn wasn’t sure if even she could get Miranda to talk. She felt as if Miranda knew it was Taryn’s fault she was forced into such a terrible situation. The guilt alone made her fear the loss of her best friend.
“Sure. I’ll do my best.” Taryn said, unsure of what she was about to d