RUN!

3. How to Disappear

Song: How to disappear by Lana Del Rey

I wake up an hour before my alarm, damp from sweat. It takes a minute for me to realize I slept with my windows closed and my fan turned off. The fuck was I thinking?
I get up slowly and slide my white singlet over my head before going downstairs to get some milk. Mum and dad are practically in another world, their snores practically echoing as I walk past their room.

I grab the jug of milk from the fridge and take a sit on the dining. Today I'm going to have to present my history project as well as that beach party idea. I wonder how to present something and make it abundantly clear that I don't support it without feeling like I'm losing my integrity. When I can't find an answer, the groan that follows is quite justified.

"Fine then, I'll just go complete my sleep," I say out loud. However, the rising sun catches my eyes, causing me to halt. Andy loved the sunrise, he used to wake up this early just to catch a glimpse of it. I've never really been infatuated by the skies, there's a lot going on down here that keeps me busy but today I decide to empty my schedule. For Andy.

However, when I open the door it isn't the sun I see first, it's Avery Chan, sitting across the road. I take that back, I can't say for sure if it's Avery (why was she the first person I thought of?) But she does have long and dark hair that blends with the shrubs behind her. She's wearing headphones and staring at what I'm assuming to be the sunset too, and she's probably daydreaming if her facial expression is anything to go by. I close the door softly and Avery doesn't seem to notice that either, or maybe she does because she shifts her position and faces me. I still can't spot the eyes though.

"Avery? What are you doing here?" I ask, tentatively walking towards her. If she hears me over her head phones, I can't tell because she continues to observe me coolly.

"You shouldn't approach a stranger," she finally says, pulling down her headphones.

"You're not a stranger," I send her a soft smile. It's a lie, we are strangers but that's something we're not ready to breach.

"I live here," she answers my first question, pointedly ignoring my statement.

"You do?" My eyes pop. I take a good look at my street one more time, she definitely doesn't live on either sides of my house.

"The third house on the left," she nods, looking quite unsurprised at my not knowing her house.

"So what are you doing here so early?" I venture, taking a spot next to her. She doesn't adjust to make more space for me but at least she doesn't get up.

"I went out for a jog," she replies, flaunting her sneakers for emphasis. It's only now that I take note of her grey joggers and white oversized t-shirt.

"So early in the morning?" I raise a brow. I woke up 5:37, so how early did she wake up?

"It's the best time of the day, when no one's there to see you," she adds the last part in a whisper, as though she isn't sure if she wants me to hear. Before I can say something she pipes up. "And I get hyper in the morning, can't sleep."

"So you're a morning person," I conclude.

"Perhaps. It doesn't mean I'm not cranky in the morning."

"You don't look cranky now," I cut a glance at her and catch the soft smile. It disappears as soon as it comes but it wasn't reassuring, it came simultaneously with the scoff that screams if only you knew.

"Looks can be deceiving, but no. I'm not cranky. I just finished my jog."

"Aren't you scared that someone might accost you?"

"I only jog in our street, and I never go out without my pepper spray," she grins.

"Ah, the savior of all girls," I grin back. There's a moment of silence and we both watch the sun in all its glory. It's about 6:15 by now.

"What were you listening to?" I break the silence, not quite ready to let her go yet.

"Lana," she answers simply, as though I should know who Lana is.

"Lana as in...?" I prod. She finally turns to look at me, eyes as narrow as slits.

"Lana as in Lana Del Rey," she replies simply, however I feel like there's something else she wants to say.

"Oh. Sounds familiar," I nod. It does but she doesn't believe me if her snort is anything to go by. She starts to say something when her phone pings. I'm not the type to access someone's phone but I can't help but inwardly gasp at her. It's a Samsung Fold Note and isn't this the latest model? Gosh, never knew she was so freaking rich.

"I've gotta go," she tells me after reading the message.

"Oh. See you at school then?" I ask, wondering if she'd be willing to be seen with me. She nods slightly before jogging off. I sit back for a moment, reeling at the thought of speaking to Avery Chan for nearly an hour when I had never even seen her speak unless it was extremely necessary. Raising my head at her disappearing figure I wondered what else Avery had up her sleeves.

||

To say I looked forward to school is a massive understatement. After our little conversation I gave up the thought of sleep and continued itemizing my events for the day. When I was ready for school I practically shoved my breakfast and hopped into Lee's Honda. I wanted to tell him about talking to Avery, it was the first that came toy mind but considering the fact that I looked extra joyful today I knew for a fact that Lee would tease me and I wasn't ready for that so I kept my story for lunch.

When I entered English Literature I expected to see Avery sitting in front like she usually did, head buried in the novel we were reading for this term. But no, her seat was empty and it stayed empty for the entire period. I shrugged it off, seeing as English literature is first period, many people came halfway through the period or didn't come at all. The only other class I have with Avery is Calculus, and that's after lunch, I guess I'll see her then.

For now, I've got to tackle the issue of the Beach Party.

"Hi Adonis," Principal Lennox greeted sweetly as I entered her office. She's a 30 year old unmarried woman determined to prove to the rest of the school board that she's fit to be the principal despite her age. Her sweet and open demeanor is a good cover up for the strict and no nonsense lady beneath her. She makes it easy for kids to rat themselves out whenever they're around her but that's exactly why I like her.

"Morning Miss Lennox. I know you're very busy and I'll try to make this quickly," I say, bringing out the proposal. I run through the material, explaining quite plainly the events that are likely to take place at the party. She regards me with a blank face and I'm ready to hear her reject the proposal and throw me out of her office when she nods.

Once, twice then thrice.

"You like it?" I cannot hide my shock.

"Like is not the best adjective. I know that if I don't approve this, you kids will find another way to do it. So it's better to do it now, under my supervision."

I want to remind her that the party will be thrown nearly 30km away from the school vicinity and definitely not under her supervision but she continues.

"You'll be my eyes, keep the kids in check."

I gasp involuntarily. She narrows her eyes at me and I shut my mouth close, resigning to my fate.

"Great, I assume this is all?" She asks, dismissing me. I nod silently and walk out of her office, feeling quite deflated.

"Yoo A.D!" Lee yells my name as I approach my locker. He's standing a few meters away, holding a large lollipop in his hands. I close the locker I had just opened and make my way to him. He gives me a once over and snorts.

"I'm guessing the meeting didn't go so well?"

"Depends on who you ask," I shrug. He nods towards the crowd forming across the hall.

"Things aren't going too well here too," he whispers.

"What happened?" I frown.

"Jessica got a call from Mrs. Chan-"

"Avery's mum?"

"Yeah...it seems like Avery's missing."