Just friends?

Chapter 5 : Tina's Party

Summer 1980

"Did you get everything we need?"

"I think so."

"Barb, are you ready?"

"Yeah, let's go."

It's the summer before 7th grade. Nancy, Barb and I were heading to the pool. I wish we lived in California or somewhere with a beach. 

Then we could play in the sand and swim all day. 

Mrs. Wheeler was driving us to the pool and we were gonna stay there all day. 

"Sof, make sure you don't forget my camera!" Nancy shouted back to me as they raced down the stairs. 

I walked back into her room and got the camera. 

I ran after them down the stairs. I hopped into the car and buckled my seatbelt. 

"Are you girls ready to have some fun?" Mrs. Wheeler asked us as she started the car. 

"Yes!" 

The whole drive to the pool was so loud. We laughed and talked. 

"Girls, be safe and wear sunscreen. But most of all, have fun!" That was the last thing she said before driving off and leaving us at the entrance. 

"This is gonna be the best day ever!" 

"Sof, we should take a picture!" Barb said.

"Nance, you take it!" 

"Okay, get ready!" 

The flash went off. 

"Let's go inside!"

Present Day

This memory plagued my mind as I looked at a girl that looked just like Barb in the library. 

I know I told Jonathan that I was okay, but that guilt was eating me alive. Every single thought I had was about Barb. 

Her parents

Guilt

Barb

Summer 1980

Her parents

Guilt 

Barb

"Sof, are you okay?" I felt Steve put his hand on my shoulder. Breaking my trance from staring at the back of the girls head.

I was holding my breath, waiting for her to turn around and prove she wasn't Barb. She turned around slowly and confirmed my thoughts. She was not Barb. 

"Sofie, are you alright?" Steve shook my shoulder this time. 

I didn't answer. He pulled me into one of the small study rooms and locked the door. He sat on the table and pulled me towards him. I was stuck too stuck in my thoughts to scold him because this wasn't very friendly. 

"Sof, what's wrong?"

"Barb. I keep thinking about Barb." 

"Is this about dinner? Did something happen?" 

"Steve, they're selling their house. They hired an investigator or something to look for her."

"Sof, you know there's nothing you can do to stop them. They don't know that she's gone."

"But they're going to spend the rest of their lives looking for her! They're not gonna find her and they're selling their house!" 

"Sofie, it's their daughter. There is nothing we can do."