The Beginning
Reporter:
(Hello, I'm Kelly Jones from News 5. There was one student in Beverly High School named Unice Gilbert. She went missing on August 16. One student says that she was murdered. We don't know all the details yet, but we will investigate who's behind her disappearance.)
Mom and I sat on the couch.
"Oh my, you should be careful, Every. It's dangerous nowadays," Mom says.
"Mom, I will be fine, don't worry," I replied.
"I'm just looking out for you. Just watch out and don't talk to strangers. There's a crazy murderer or something."
...
"Ye ye whatever," I rolled my eyes. I stood up from the couch and went to my room trembling with fear.
Why am I worried about it?it's not even my fault.
I grabbed my phone and clicked on Messenger.
(Tap and Tap)
I type:
Every:Guys, what should we do? I'm scared they might suspect us—that we're the ones responsible for Unice's disappearance.
Jane:Can you just shut up and don't mention that b****?
Lucas:Why are you worried about that? That freak just wants some attention.
Leo:Maybe she just went somewhere to hide.
Jane replied to Lucas:
Yeh, you're right. Don't mind that freak, ugly b**** who wants some attention.
Lucas:One time in Mrs. Margot's class, I noticed she kept glancing at me like some kind of psycho or something.
Every:same
Jane:Let's stop talking about her. If we keep talking about that loser, it makes me feel sick.
NICOLE POV
I consoled Mrs. Gina. She was devastated by Unice's disappearance.
(sob) "Ohh... (sob again) where is she now?"
I grabbed Mrs. Gina's hand and told her with a pitiful look, "Don't worry, Mrs. Gina. The police will investigate Unice's disappearance. We will soon find her."
She cried and said, "I'm so glad Unice has a friend like you. Thank you so much, dear."
"No. I'm the one who should be thankful. She saved my grandpa," I said.
One week ago
MARK POV
Ahh, I'm gonna be late. I should hurry up. I have a long quiz in math. Mrs. Murphy's gonna go bunker again if she sees me late, I thought in my head.
I ran fast and saw the bus headed in my direction. I hopped in—full of people—grabbed the railing. The bus kept moving until it reached my stop.
I ran fast hoping I'm not gonna be late but—
"Mr. Cruz, why are you late again?"
Oh ohh. Dang it. My worst nightmare has come.
"Good morning, Mrs. Murphy," I said with a smile on my face.
"What's good in this morning?" she replied.
"Mrs. Murphy, you know what's good in this morning—because you look dazzling today."
I always did this thing. Acting soft.
"There you go again, playing those tricks of yours."
I chuckled after she said that.
"I'm telling the truth, Mrs. Murphy."
I put on my innocent and soft face, smiled while I stared at Mrs. Murphy.
"Oh really? Do I really look dazzling?" she asked me.
"Of course you are, Mrs. Murphy," I replied.
"Next time I see you're late again, I will not allow you to take my class. You got that?" she said with a grumpy face, but I could see she took my word.
"Got it. Thanks, Mrs. Murphy."
"Okay class, so the..." (blah blah blah etc.)
(Ring)
Hours passed by and it's time for recess.
"Hey Mark, what's up?" John said, slowly walking towards me. John is my best friend. Since childhood, we always played soccer and did lots of things.
In the hallway we talked.
"So, what are you going to do on your weekend?" John put his arm around my shoulder.
"I'm going to work," I replied.
"Oh come on, besides work, what are you gonna do?"
He was eager to know what I was about to say.
"Maybe study or help my grandma," I said.
"Come on, Mark. Where’s the joy in your life? Your life is so boring and plain. You should enjoy your teenage life and not waste your time on work and study. You look like a geek," he said with a boring tone.
"I'm not like you, John—wasting your money on things you don't even need. We need money, that's why it's important to work so we can eat three meals a day. Besides, you don't need to work because you have money," I replied.
"Okay, sorry. My bad. I judged you, Mark. So I'm gonna give you a meal apology for judging you—I'm gonna treat you to lunch today."
NICOLE POV
I sat on the bench near school. There’s a big tree where you can see almost the whole field.
The sunlight passed through the leaves, casting little dots of light on the ground like stars scattered on earth.
It’s lunch time and my lunch for today is broccoli with omelette. Yum.
As I was about to eat my omelette, someone suddenly yanked me from the back.
I turned around and saw who it was.
It was Jose.
"Ahh hey, what are you doing?" I said.
"Hello, Coleyyy," he said with a smirk on his face.
I blushed and turned away, hoping he didn’t notice my expression when he said that.
I have a crush on Jose since I was young and I kept it a secret that no one knows. I didn’t tell anyone. I was scared it might ruin our friendship. F***? He's so hot. Ahh I can't look at his face right now. No, stop it,Nicole.Don't be too obvious .*
I snapped out of my thoughts.
Suddenly he leaned on my shoulder and said,
"Hey Coleyy, what’s your lunch today? Ohh, it’s broccoli and omelette. Mmm, can I have some?"
"No, you can’t," I replied.
Jose and I talked about funny things and what we would do when we graduate. He said he wants to be a pilot.
Minutes passed by and we laughed at our jokes.
When we were laughing, someone caught our attention.
It was Jane and her friends, bullying Unice Gilbert.
They poured juice on Unice’s head. Every grabbed Unice’s bag and put it in the trash bin.
I glanced at Unice—she looked like she was about to cry, but she held it in.
I was about to help her when someone stepped in.
It was Leo. He told his friends they should stop it or the teacher might see them.
I walked toward Unice and helped her stand up.
I grabbed her bag from the trash bin and handed it to her.
I could see the emotion and embarrassment on her face. She covered her face with her long hair, grabbed her bag, and ran fast.
She's suffering a lot,but stayed silent.
John called me,
"Hey, let’s go to class now."
I nodded and said, "Okay."
Nicole and John went to their class. They sat down.
John asked Nicole if she had seen Ava.
Nicole replied, "No."
"She texted me yesterday that she was feeling sick. I guess she didn’t come to school."
After class ended, I headed home.
Ahh,I'm so tired.i want to eat pizza.Maybe I should order some.
I headed upstairs and went to my room.
I tossed my bag on my bed and lay down, grabbed my phone from the bag.
(Tap)
I scrolled and clicked Messenger.
I noticed there were message from ava.
Ava:Hey Nicole, there’s something I want to tell you. Something that’s so exciting you won’t believe it.
(Tap tap)
Nicole:What is it?
Ava:Hanna is cheating with Elijah. You’re gonna be shocked who she’s cheating with. It’s Ryan.
Nicole:Ohh wow! What a shocking news. Tell me more.
Ava:Elijah went bunker—like he’s turning anger. After he found out, he went to Ryan’s place and punched him in the face.
Nicole:How did he know?
Ava:I heard someone say that he found out when he went to pick up his things in the changing room. I guess he heard it from his teammates.
Nicole:So did Elijah break up with Hanna?
Ava:I don’t know, but I’ll tell you more at school.
Nicole:Uhm, are you okay? You didn’t go to school today.
Ava:Yheee I’m fine, don’t worry. I’ll see you at school. Byeeee.
Nicole:Bye, love ya.
After I chatted with Ava, I went to Facebook, scrolled, and saw a post.
It said:
> We have a party on August 14. Make sure you all go there at Lucas’s house. This is the address:
42 Street****. You are all invited.*
These is the first time they invited everyone from class.Theres something up.I don't know why,but I have a feeling that there's something bad going to happen.I thought
I put down my phone on the table next to my bed and headed downstairs.
Went to the kitchen. I opened the fridge, grabbed the juice container.
I drank it with a thirsty throat.
Ohh, I forgot to order pizza.
I went upstairs and ordered a pizza. Minutes passed by.
(Ding Dong)
Hmm… "That’s fast."
I ran and opened the door with a happy face.
A man was standing at the door with a cap on his head.
"Here’s your order, ma’am. That’ll be $3," the delivery man said.
I gave him the money and a $1 tip.
"Here’s the $3 and a tip for you," I said to the delivery man.
"Thank you, ma’am," he replied.
I went to my room and happily ate my pizza.
