Blooming

Chapter 30: Blooming

Chapter 30

I insisted I could go on the bus by myself. Harry didnt want me to but I wanted to. He held me at the bus stop. I remebered the night we had just had dancing it that lit up themed room with great people great food. I held him close and finally we had to let go. I took a seat on the mingy bus. I was the only person but I looked round and saw a boy sitting near the back. I grabbed my phone and put my earphones into my ears. I closed my eyes and my mind went flooding back to the sight I had seen before the door closed. I felt someone sit beside me. I opened my eyes to see Jay sitting next to me. I turned back round and closed my eyes again. What was he doing on the bus to Bloomingville? Had he followed me? I heard him say something to me bit I couldnt hear exactly over the music. He grabbed my arm.

"Thats rude." He shouted trying to let me hear him. I turned my face away. He took a piece of my hair and played with it. I turned my music down without letting him know and I listened to what he was saying.

"Your so pretty Bloom." He was saying. He made me sick.

"You know we would be really good together?"

He was just teasing me, trying to get me to lash out.

I turned to him and gritted my teeth.

"WHAT do you want?" I said angrily.

"Just leave me alone I dont want your crap!"

"Oh so Harrys been telling you stories?" He laughed evily. I was now extremely scared but I put on a brave face. I rolled my eyes and turned away.

"Ok have it your way."

The guy came up from the back of the bus, he looked at me.

"Is this guy giving you bother?" The guy looked about seventeen. He was really tall and had strong, muscular shoulders. He looked concerned. A glint of fear passed in Jays eyes. I smiled to myself.

"In fact he is." I said smugly. Jay quickly stood up, put up his hands and slunk away to the back of the bus. The guy took his place. He smiled at me and laughed quietly.

"Thanks by the way."

"No bother. Scaring off those jerks is a hobbie." I laughed and put my earphones in but the guy held out his hand.

"Ash." I guessed this was his name.

I took his hand and shook it.

"Im...Poppy." I decided. He smiled.

"You from Bloomingville?" He asked.

I nodded and asked him was he. He said his mum and brother lived in Bloomingville and he had been away a while. He told me his brother had run away and his mum had rang him in desperation. I was shocked at this story. He told me police were out looking for him.

"Where were you away?"

He looked sad.

"Well when my dad left no one really understood me so I had to get out. Im different to my mum and my brother different interests, views at life!"

"What do you do? Oh sorry Im being very nosey."

"No its fine, well I'm a social worker."

I tried to think why this would make him fall out with his family. I didnt want to ask any more questions and he wasnt asking me any so we sat in silence. Ash kept worriedly glancing at his phone every five minutes probably waiting on news of his brother.

As I stood up to get off the bus I looked back at Jay. He was smiling deviously and he motioned that he was getting off at a different stop. I glared at him and got off the bus. Ash was already walking swiftly down the street. He was a long way in front of me he was going my way but I didnt call him. I saw no sign of him when I got to my door. I pushed it open and walked inside. The house felt cold, still and empty. I thought maybe Dad was in bed so I queitly grabbed a glass of water from the fridge. As I gulped down the cold liquid I saw a note out of the corner of my eye. I placed my glass on the counter and went over and read the note. It was from Dad.

I was instantly worried.

Hey honey,

Hope you had a great night. Not to worry you but Im out looking for Peter. If you could when you get home check on Holly she will explain.

Dad.

My heart skipped a beat. Peter was missing. Everything left my mind except Peter. I dashed out of the kitchen but as I did my dress caught on a drawer. I tugged to get free but the dress tore. I didnt care I ran to Peters house. I didnt even knock I ran inside and saw Hollys pale face. Someone else was there too but I didnt take in who it was as I ran to Holly and pulled her into a tight hug. We both shook as we were in tears. I pulled away and took in the room. Where Holly had been sitting there was a phone, she must be waiting for someone to call. Then I heard man clear his throat I looked around and saw Ash. His eyes were redder and puffier than they had been telling me he had cried a great many tears in the last five minutes. Everything made sense now. Ash was Peters social worker brother who didnt agree with Pete missing school and being allowed to roam about on his own. Holly told me to sit beside Ash I gave him a small smile as I sunk into the sofa. She asked me if I wanted tea but I refused. I felt like I was going to be sick.

"What happened? Why?" I asked.

"It was his art exhibition tonight." Holly started. I nodded.

"Well long story short no one came, no one he really WANTED to be there."

Me.

"How many people?" I asked.

"Four." Holly cried.

I should have went and this wouldnt have happened.

I burst into tears and Ash took my hand.

"Its all my fault." I blubbered, "i should have went."

"No honey its not your fault at all its his dad..."

I understood but I couldnt help feeling the fact that I wasnt there either really set him off.

"How long has he been gone?"

"Four hours now police are searching everywhere."

"Officer Finch told us if they havent found him by morning they are starting a coastal search." Ash whispered.

I gasped. He wouldnt have.

"Do you mind if I pray?" Ash asked.

Holly and I glared at him. Holly stood up and left the room sobbing. Ash looked at me.

"Go ahead." I said. This must have been another reason he didnt feel welcome at home. Ash prayed Peter was safe and in Gods hands and that he would just come home. He found it hard to talk and his hand gripped my hand tighter with every sentence. He said amen and looked at me. I smiled. This was weird for me but it felt secure now. Ash's hand was cold I rubbed it to get warmth into it.

"Right." Ash announced. He rubbed his hands together, picked up his coat and put his arms into it.

"Im going to do something useful." He said.

"Can I come with you?"

"If mum doesnt mind staying by herself." I thought of Holly it would be better if I stayed and kept her company. Just on queue Dad walked in. He grabbed me into a bear hug and kissed my head. Holly ran into the room. Dad shook his head sadly.

"The whole village is out looking." He said. Holly smiled.

"Poppy and I were gonna go out for a while and look. Peter and Poppy seem close she would know where he would go." Ash told Dad.

Dad nodded in agreement.

I thought about it. Where would he go?

I ran to my house and took off my dress and put on warm clothes. Ash met me outside with a torch and we went down to the beach. We called his name a few times but our throats got sore with the cold. Ash told me memories he had of Pete growing up and that they were really close. He told me they first grew apart when he started going to church. I had been right. We walked for an hour but no sign. Where would Peter go?

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Where do you think Peter is?? ;)