𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒚 ✓

Chapter 5

"GOOD MORNING SWEETIE," Nawal chirped with enthusiasm, "How was your hangout with the group? Was it fun?"

Mal nodded with a small, fake smile. "Yeah, it was fun."

A few moments passed while the girl rethought her answer. She wanted to tell her mother, but the best thing she would say was to let the police do everything. It was their job after all, but Dash was her friend. Their friend. And they were all worried about him.

"Actually, mum... There is something I need to tell you."

"Yup, there it is. Go ahead, spit it out." the mother encouraged, setting her knife on the table.

"Dash went missing last Wednesday."

Nawal gave her daughter a confused look as if she wanted her to continue. Mal explained the entire situation to her mother, and for the first time in a while, her mother was actually interested.

"Look sweetie, I don't want to be that type of mother but..."

"Forget it, I know. I knew you were going to say that, but he's my friend you know."

"I know he's your friend, Mal. But we're not going to play detective around the neighbourhood. Listen to my advice, okay? Leave it to the police. I'm sure he'll be here in no time."

Mal nodded, slightly upset. She expected that kind of answer from her mother, but she hated having to sit around doing nothing while the police do all the work. She didn't like feeling helpless.

At the end, she decided to go for a walk. She climbed the stairs to her room, and closed the door.

"What should I wear?" She asked herself, flipping through her huge wardrobe. She spotted a a white oversized jumped, next to thigh-length striped skirt. She nodded to herself, clearly satisfied, then picked them up. She picked a pair of black stockings, knee-high black boots, and almost squealed in happiness.

She liked picking clothes.

After changing, she headed down the stairs, waving at the family dog, Bella. Bella walked up towards her to give her a lick on the face. She giggled as she felt her soft, mostly white mixed with dark brown fur.

"Love you, Bella. I'm going to go for a walk and I'll be back soon."

"Actually, sweetie. Can you take her with you? Your brothers left, for whatever reason." Mal nodded happily, then motioned for Bella to follow her. She grabbed his leash gently while walking out of the house.

-

"So, Bella. Shall we go to the park?"

The dog jumped up and down enthusiastically. She gave her a wide grin, then skipped with him across the lawn. They were soon enough at the park at the end of the street, which wasn't too far from the Melrose house. She sat down on a smooth, wooden bench, then grabbed a small rubber ball from her purse, and threw it to the other side of the park.

"Come on, Bella! Go get it."

Bella scattered across the lawn to get the toy, leaving the girl sitting in comfortable silence for a few, long minutes. She closed her eyes, still listening to the sound of kids giggling happily. The park wasn't too crowded, because their neighbourhood didn't have much people around it. Nevertheless she enjoyed being around small children.

That was, until she heard a familiar voice behind her. She turned around to find Beatrice, holding a leash to her Australian Shepherd, Libby. She stood up to give her friend a tight hug, then the pair sat down again.

"So, how is everything going?"

"Not great. I told my mum about Dash this morning and she said not to worry about him, and to leave it to the police." Mal informed. Beatrice gave her a baffled look, turning to face her friend. She spotted her high ponytail and the very light makeup she wore, while also becoming more aware of her wonderful outfit. Mal did the exact same, taking a long glance at her friend's red hair, and the long bangs that covered her forehead. The girl wore a black leather jacket with a black t-shirt underneath, and tight black jeans. She looked beautiful, but Mal was too shy to tell her that. Butterflies erupted from their bellies.

"Odd. My mum told me the exact same thing."

Mal's expression turned from admiral to pure confusion. She furrowed her eyebrows.

"It's kinda weird how adults don't care."

The other girl nodded in agreement.

"There is something else though..."

Mal turned to face her friend again, giving her a questioning look. "What is it?"

"Remember when Arjun said that he found the poster stuck to the wall, and he saw a lot on his way back home from whatever?"

The girl nodded, her heart pounding nervously.

"I took a walk with Libby, and I never saw any of these posters." Beatrice deadpanned.

"Why do I have a feeling that there's something sinister behind this?" Mal questioned, startled. The other girl nodded, going silent for a few seconds.

"Okay, maybe we need to take another walk. Care to walk with me?" Beatrice offered. Mal gave her a small smile as she got up, offering her hand to assist her. The redheaded girl gladly took it, her cheeks turning red a little.

That should've been fun.

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