Sweet But Deadly

It's Not What You Think

Have you ever woke up and wondered what could've been? 

I have loads of times since the disappearance of my best friend, Hope Louise. We were having a sleepover in my summer house when she just left  without a sight. Now it's a year later and I have to start 10th grade without my best friend. It's the first day at school today and I'm nervous. Hope always helped me settle in and now she's not here.. I feel a little lost. 

My mom walks in and says "Court, are you going to be okay today?"

I weakly smile and say "I have to be mom." Fake it till you make it Hope would've said to me. 

Rebekah, who is my mom, comes over to me and gives me a hug. We let go of each other and she says "Good girl, you call me if things get too much." 

Ever since Dad left a couple of years ago my Mom has been worried about me. Like I am going to crack sometime soon. Hope going missing didn't help her worries. Seems everyone I come in contact with leaves... 

I pick up my phone "Okay, mom." I sigh then I continue "I need to get going, don't want to be late on my first day." 

"See you later, darling." She says to me and then I give her a kiss on the cheek. Then, I walk out of my room and then out of the house. I get into my car when my phone pings so I look at it to a message from an unknown person. I look up to see no-one in front of me or around my house. 

They better not be messing with me. I feel like Aria Montgomery when she got the first -A text. 

The text says 'I know where your bestie is, she's at Rose Barns. She wants to meet you.' with the tag 'Doll Master' which I find strange to say the least. My brain is telling me not to go but my heart is telling me to go after school. I've read enough teen mysteries to know this could be a trap. Instead of dwelling over it I put my phone down and set off to school. 

-

It's now lunchtime and I'm sat with my other two friends, Milton Holmes and Nicki Vanderwaal. They have been my rock since Hope went missing. So I ask them "Shall I go tonight?"

Milton takes a sip off his milkshake and says "It's up to you Courtney. Do you think it's a good idea?" 

"I'm torn to be honest. Like, my heart is telling me to go but my brain is telling me not too." I admit to him. 

Milton nods and goes "Understandable." 

Nicki looks at me and quickly says "You should go!"

I cough and say "Nick, are you kidding?! Did you not pay attention to Pretty Little Liars?" 

"I'm just saying Court, she could be there and you wouldn't want to mess up an opportunity." Nicki takes a sip of her drink and asks again "Would you?" 

I take a look at my two friends and my heart is starting to race. Meeting Hope again would make my year and make me very happy but what if this a trap? It'd hurt me so much. But, for my best friend I am willing to make that risk... 

"Okay, I'll go. But if anything happens to me..." 

"We'll be on speed-dial." Milton quickly responds to me. Nicki smiles at us but why isn't she saying the same? Look at me, doubting people.. again. 

I text the Doll Master saying 'I'll meet her after school.' 

The three dots appear and my nerves are starting to feel high. I look at my two friends and Nicki asks "Everything okay?" 

"It's typing back to me. I'm scared y'all." I say to them with my heart racing itself to the finish line. Milton holds onto my hand to support me. My phone pings and it has replied to me with a vague reply. I look at it with a confused look and think it's a weirdly worded text.