2|| Whispers in the Wind

19|| your local instruction manual

Kalyani

She waited.

He didn't come out.

She still waited.

He still didn't come out.

Kalyani was standing in front of a small apartment building with slightly peeling paint. It was painted a nice cream color but she could see why someone like Wilder was so reluctant to invite them. But it wasn't anything to be embarrassed about.

She, Aria, Evelyn, and Jacob were the first ones here. The last two of the lot were running late. So was their host, for that matter. Kalyani had put together a simple plan for the whole day, something that was both easy and efficient. So first they would temporarily talk to Wilder's mom, since she had been here the longest out of anyone who lasted at Fir Hills- Wilder warned them that she was only here for a bit and she would be gone soon- and gather some info on where they could find Sarah. Since it would be rude to keep going to peoples houses, Leo suggested he bring some of his library books over that looked interesting.

The next part of their plan was a tad more complicated. But it would work. Kalyani was a hundred percent sure. And when Kalyani was a hundred percent sure, things were very likely to work.

And so, Evelyn got out her phone and started spam texting Leo, while Jacob found absolutely nothing to do so he started an insult contest with Aria. Eventually Leo got there, but no Wilder or Arlo.

When Wilder came out, the first things he heard was:

"Moldy roasted cabbage!"

"Expired canned burrito!"

"Mutated talking tomato!"

"Tomatoes are cool- also do burritos even come in cans?"

Kalyani laughed. "Guys, he's here."

"Where's Arlo?"

A figure stepped out of the back. "Right here. So where are we going for this nut job of a plan again?" Arlo asked dryly.

"We're talking to Wilder's mom. Be polite," Kalyani shot Arlo her you-better-be-nice-or-I-will-kill-you glare.

When the group- minus Wilder- turned to walk up the narrow rickety steps, a woman crossed them first. She had leafy green eyes, the same complexion as Wilder, and very very dark hair only marred by a few gray strands. She had long eyelashes and didn't have on a tad bit of any makeup.

"Hello! I've heard so much about all of you from Wilder. Leo and Evelyn, you're here too? Do you want to come inside?" she was very upbeat and bubbly.

Kalyani decided to like her.

"As long as it's okay with you, Mrs. Ramirez," Kalyani said, catching Arlo's eye roll even though she looked away.

Wilder's mom must've caught it too, because she said severely, "Oh, you are also new. I've heard a lot about you too, but the things were quite different."

It was Kalyani's turn to snicker. "Well, Mrs. Ramirez," she continued, noticing how she hadn't responded to the coming inside question, "we wanted to talk to you about a person we need to find, since you have been here for a long time and- the person's name is Sarah Wesner."

A shadow crossed over her already dark green eyes, turning them almost black. In a flash they were back to their normal shade. "I don't know anyone of that name personally," she said, "but I know where you could find her. There is a directory book somewhere around, only one copy and filled with names and locations. Only families like Leo's could get their hands on that."