Ablaze

Fourteen

Kaen's POV

Ash and I were supposed to meet up yesterday, but she wasn't in school for the second day in a row. I texted her, but she never answered me.

I walk into the classroom hoping to see her... but I don't.

"Hey... Ash isn't here again?" I ask them.

"No... that's three days in a row. I hope she's okay."

"Yeah, I haven't heard from her either. She hasn't answered any of my texts." Akita tells us.

"Mine either." Del responds.

Shit.

I try to hide my concern from them, "Maybe she's just sick or something."

Fuck. Now I'm worried. Why am I so worried about her? I'm sure she's fine... right? Let me just send her another text.

"Hey... you're not in school again and Akita and Del said you haven't answered their texts either. Are you okay?"

It's early... so maybe she's still sleeping.

I'm completely distracted for the rest of the class. I can't pay attention to anything besides her.

"Kaen, hold back for a sec."

"Yeah?"

"Do you know what's up with Ash?" Mr. Asano asks me.

"No, why would I?"

"Well, I know you guys see each other a lot... I just figured you would know."

"Well, I don't. She's probably sick or something."

"I don't think so. Her absences have been unexcused... and she never sent me an email letting me know she was going to be out. It's not like her."

Shit, now I'm even more worried.

"Well... whatever. I don't know why you're bothering me with this shit. It's not like I keep tabs on her or anything."

I start to walk away, but he speaks up again. "Kaen."

"What?"

He sighs, "Look, whether or not you want to admit it, I know you care about her. And I know you're probably really worried about her right now, but you can't take it out on everyone else. She wouldn't want you to."

"You don't know what you're talking about." I say angrily.

"Kaen... it's okay. I'm sure she's fine," he pauses, "Here— take this. This is the work that she's missed the past few days, maybe you can go give it to her later."

I know he's only doing this so that I have an excuse to go to her house and check on her... but I'm lowkey thankful for it.

I sigh, "Okay. Thanks."

This day couldn't go by any fucking slower.

**A few hours later**

I couldn't head to Ash's house right after school, I had something to do for a few hours. But as soon as I was done, I went straight to her house.

It's dark out already, but when I get to her house there aren't any lights on. Her mom's car isn't in the driveway, either. Maybe she went away and didn't tell anyone?

No... that's not like her.

I knock on the door a few times— with no response. I try calling her phone, but there's no response there, either.