Trouble x3

Gone

Dalia's POV

I went home after my quarrel with the damn staff at our damn school.

What the hell is up with Dalton, though? It was unlikely of him to miss a football practice. It was even MORE unlikely for him to miss school. But i doubt he'd miss his playoff game. This game marks the beginning of his football career. He needs this.

I know he won't miss it.

I spent the rest of my day at home and just sat on my lazy ass all day. Until around 5:00 and I went over to Riley's house to get ready before the football game.

We both just put on something warm since it's getting later into the season and temperatures are going down.

"So what was the deal with the announcement this morning?" She asked as we walked down the sidewalk on the way to the school.

"Dalton didn't show up to school or practice. That damn coach was getting up in Dallas' and I's faces about it cause he thinks we know where he is and why Dalton didn't show up. Blah blah blah." I said plainly and dully.

"Really? And you and Dallas both kept your cool about it?"

I laughed. "No. Dallas and I both went off on the damn coach. Principal Reynolds was just sitting there, kinda unsure of what to do. But it was bullshit."

I explained the whole fight to her up to the point where dad pulled me out into the hallway.

"So what happened next?" She asked.

"Nothing really. He stopped once we were out of hearing length and he asked if I knew where Dalton was. He didn't think I was telling the truth."

"But I thought you said he was defending you in the office with Coach Fenner?"

"He was! That's the thing! Then when I asked him about it, he said something like 'cause you're my sister. I have to do that for you.'" I said in a mocking tone trying to imitate Dally.

"Really? Aww he does care."

"Yeah, right. Like hell he does. When it comes to our partners, we'd all defend each other. It's just how it works."

"You say that a lot."

I raised an eyebrow. "Say what a lot?" I asked in a confused, but with a grin.

"It's just how it works." She said laughing. Or something along those lines. You and your brothers have these defined rules that aren't normal.

"Well, none of us were raised normal. So we do things a bit different." I said with a laugh.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. I just think it's weird." She said, slightly nudging me.

"You're one to talk! You don't even have a sibling!" I said, with a laugh.

"Whatever. Come on. We're almost to the schools. Let's bounce." She said.

We both picked up the speed and made it to the football field.

We got a spot in the front row of the bleachers and waited for the game to start. We talked to a few people and then the announcements started.

"Welcome everyone to the playoff game against Athens High Chargers..." There were a few claps. "Against your New York City High Bulldogs!" The crowd cheered louder than before. "Please remember to be respectful towards the other team. Now, let's announce your players!"

The man at the front of the field named everyone from the other teams players and then their starting quarterback last.

Then he started to announce our teams players. Loud cheers erupted after every name. "And now for our quarterbacks playing tonight!" Another wave of cheers. "First off, number 9, Derek Mallman."

Cheers.

"Number 54, Joshua Herring."

More cheers.

"And our starting quarterback..." I got ready to cheer as Dalton was always the starting quarterback and his name wasn't announced yet.

"Number 42..."

Number 42?

Huh?

Dalton is number 6...

I know it is. It's the day he was born. February 6th. Did he change his number to 42?

"George Weller!"

The crowd cheered louder than ever.

George Weller?

Where's Dalton?

Why wasn't his name announced?

What the hell!?

I looked around for Dallas but I didn't see him at all. I saw Coach Fenner. He looked disappointed. I looked at Riley and panicked. "We've gotta go!" I yelled.

"What?" She asked, unable to hear me over all the yelling and screaming of people from both schools and their parents.

"I wanna go! We need to find Dalton!" I yelled.

"What?" She yelled even louder than before.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her out to the parking lot. Tears were in my eyes as I started to think of all the most terrible things that could have happened.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

"Where's Dalton? He didn't show up to practice this morning, he doesn't show up to school, and now the game? It's so unlike him! Where could he be?"

"Oh shit... I just realized they didn't announce his name, number, or position."

"I know! Maybe Coach Fenner had a right to be mad at us... maybe Dalton really is missing." I muttered.

"Look, Daltons a tough guy. Ok? He's gonna be alright. He'll show up soon."

"How do you know that? How do we know he's gonna just randomly show up? You don't know him as well as I do! He's my best friend! He wouldn't miss this!"

"Come on, let's just go back and enjoy the game..." She said walking back towards the field.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I asked.

"Dee, calm down." She said, softly, turning back around.

"Don't tell me to calm down! He's gone! He disappeared! He's mg family! He's the only person in this world who gives a shit about me! So if you aren't gonna help me, you can fuck off. And never talk to me again." I snapped.

She took a second to respond. She seemed confused by my response to her comment. "Exactly. Don't talk to me... ever again." I said, angrily turning around and starting towards home.

I gotta make sure he's ok.

But where do I even start?