Intertwined

Something Is Off

"Who?"

Indeed, someone was coming. Matt stepped forward. "Evan?" He said surprised.

"Matt...I have a problem..."

"What is it?"

"A-Aaron contacted me today and he said he'd meet me outside to talk..."

"Wait you two started talking?"

"Yeah...After that day, I felt bad and worried so I tried to get through to him...We talked for a bit and...well, today, we were supposed to meet up and I can't find him anywhere...And I'm so nervous about walking around after school's over..."

"Hey, it's okay dude. You don't have to do that. Tell you what, I'll look for him so you don't have to feel like you're walking on eggshells"

"Oh...You don't really have to do that..."

"I want to do that for my friend, okay? Now get going"

"Okay...Thank you, Matt..."

Evan left the scene, still shaking and sweating.

"So...That was interesting" Matt remarked.

"Yeah, I see you still hang around your boyfriend" Mike teased and Matt shook his head at him.

"What was that about, Matt?" Evelyn asked with concern.

"I'll explain later. Now to go find the dude" Matt started heading back inside, only to notice that the others were following him.

"It's okay guys, you can go on ahead"

"Nah bro, we're coming with you"

"Yeah, we are" Evelyn declared, with Mara nodding to confirm.

"Okay then, I'll let you tag along"

And so they went...

Outside the school, Evan stood anxiously, pacing back and forth, looking at his phone. And suddenly...

"Hi Evan" A voice piped up.

Evan looked up and saw Aaron coming towards him...with a slight change in attitude.

"I'm really sorry. I was sick today, and my mom and dad just let me get out now"

...

"Evan?"

Evan looked again at his phone.

"Then who...?"

Inside the school, the four friends were walking along scanning the whole place with their eyes. But something was off.

"Guys, am I the only one feeling like we're the only ones here?" Mike questioned, holding Mara closer to him for comfort. The latter wasn't doing any better, she was starting to tense up.

"Matt, let's go back now. I'm getting nervous" Evelyn pleaded. Matt stopped and nodded. "Okay, but I still don't get what Evan said..."

They started heading back to the entrance, only to realize...

"Wait..." Mike went to push the door.

"Mike...what's wrong?" Evelyn asked, worried.

"The door is locked!" Mike exclaimed.

"What?" Matt marched over and tried to help his friend open it.

"Come on, girls. Help us"

Eve hurried over and did so.

Mara did so as well, pushing with all her strength.

They stopped trying.

"It's no use, dangit! What the hell happened?" Matt exclaimed.

"Let's find another exit somewhere!"

"Guys, wait..." Mara started. All three looked at her with confusion.

"Where's Jordi? Didn't she have detention? Is she still here?" Mara started tearing up from the tense situation, and the thought that her friend could be hurt.

"Crap...Okay, I've got it. You guys go look for her and I'll go find an exit" Matt started to leave but Mike grabbed his arm.

"No way Matt! We're sticking together"

"I'll be fine, Michael. Just look after each other, and I promise I'll be fine" Matt pulled away his arm and started running away. Mike was about to call for him but he decided to do as his friend said.

Mike turned back to the girls. "Alright, you heard the chief"

Mara went to hold his hand, too scared to say anything.

"Are you gonna be okay, Eve?" He asked her.

"Yeah...Yeah, I will be okay"

And with that, the three went off to venture in a scaringly quiet place.