RUN!

7. Close to You

   
     Song: Close to You by Frank Ocean
       
    

       "The Beach Party preparations are under way, we need you to have a more active part in it Adi. We're short on cash and need more parent approval..." Blah blah blah.

If Jessica Jones can see that I'm extremely unconcerned and would rather be in Calculus than have this mundane conversation with her then she's doing well at ignoring it. It's been exactly 72 hours since Avery went missing. Thankfully Mrs. Chan didn't forget to tell the cops about Avery's quick change in fashion but that's only heightened the assumption that she did want to go missing and she didn't want anyone to find her. Reyna Diaz is yet to reply my message but I've got an idea that'll jolt her out of whatever fear she's got.

"Adonis!" Jessica barks to get my attention. I sit straight and narrow my eyes at her. Jessica's my junior, in age and status, but perhaps she needs a reminder or two.

"What exactly do you want?"

"Didn't you listen to anything I just said? We want you to help us talk to–"

"She gave you guys a budget. I can't possibly think about what you need that's going to exceed that. We're throwing it at your beach house, we're not renting anything and the only thing we're buying is food and drinks. You can't tell me you wasted 10k on food and drinks," I drone.

"Well we–"

"Submit your expenses before the end of today. I'm not going to speak to the principal about anything and we can't force parents to willingly send their kids to a party that'll potentially break them."

"Well we–"

"Goodbye Jessica, I'm expecting the budget latest 6th period." I push my chair back and make my way out of English literature and towards the chem lab. I pull out my phone and stare at my unreplied chats with Reyna Rojas.

I know this seems weird but we're doing this for Avery's sake.

Could you at least reply?

Mrs. Chan gave me your number.

Her uncertainty is justified, however it's beginning to annoy me. I didn't want to use Avery's account but her laptop's home and I'm pretty sure it's the only way to get Reyna to reply.

"Adi? What's wrong?" Yara literally appears in front of me. I skit to a halt and shake my head at her.

"Nothing, aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"I'm heading to class. It's the other way around," she nods towards the space behind me. I turn around, frowning at my stupidity. I wanted to get away from Jessica so fast that I didn't notice what direction I was heading. It's no big deal but Yara's give big puppy eyes like I have Alzheimer.

"Are you coming?" I tilt my head at her. She follows me silently, her curly brown hair bobbing as she walks. When we get closer to the lab she pauses and turns to me. I'm still frowning and perhaps that kills her confidence because she shuts her parted lips.

"Yara, I'm not going to bite your head off. I've been having a rough day," I explain, softening my expression.

She shifts her weight, appearing to be more comfortable.

"Um, you know I don't have a car and all so I was hoping you'd pick me up for the beach party."

"Is that what's bitten your tongue?" I chuckle, opening the door to our class. "That's cool but Lee and I switch rides you know, and you guys live in opposite sides."

"Damien and Lee can come together."

I want to point out that Damien can pick her up but something about the finality in her tone makes me nod in acceptance. Some part of me wants to apologise to Lee but he's the one who invited Yara to sit with us in the first place. You reap what you sow I guess.

π°π°π°π°

"She's going to so freak out," Lee breathes into my ear and I use my hand to swat him away. We're at his place because if my parents got a whiff of Avery's laptop I'm not sure by undercover investigation would remain quite under the covers.

"That's the point," I huff as I type the text to Reyna. I logged in to Avery's Snapchat and went straight to Reyna's snap, mentally choosing to ignore the loads of messages she has. I've got like 300 people on my Snapchat but one glance at Avery's would make you think I've got 10. Now isn't that weird.

Hi Reyna

I don't add any punctuation because I don't think anyone texts like that. Reyna, like I expected, ate the bait and left it clean.

Avery! Wtf did you go? Are you home? Are you okay?

...

The ellipsis tell me she's still writing but before she has the chance to go and scream to whoever's with her that Avery is safe I send the bombshell text.

This isn't Avery

The ellipsis disappear.

I'm Adonis King. The same guy who texted you.

Oh my word what do you want from me and why are you hacking into her accounts!!

I'm not hacking, I'm with her laptop. Her mum gave me and if that's not proof that I'm trustworthy I don't know what is.

What do you want?

We need to meet up, I found Avery's diary.

Wtf?

I know I sound like a stalker but just help me out here? I only what to see Avery back home.

It takes a moment but finally she replies.

Fine. Meet me at the Park, 5 pm sharp.