Found (New Earth Saga)

Ch. 17

***JACOB POV***

My heart raced about a mile a minute as soon as Logan- Mr. L, pulled me aside to tell me that River apparently hadn't been seen since lunch. I was still mad at myself and Candace for how everything transpired. Sure, my parents had suggested I lend an ear as far as things were going on the Carol front, but that was only after I'd been bringing River up the entire weekend. I was worried about her after the way things ended at Parisa's girls night. River seemed so fragile, and not just physically. She had so much going on in that mind of hers, and I wanted to help her. I don't know why, but I'm just drawn to her.

River is unlike any girl I've ever met before. She's untethered to the history that binds so many of us here at Wendleton High who've been going to school together for years. River's like a fresh spark that's arrived this year. She has a sweet innocence to her, that's only become more entrancing when you realize her life has most likely been anything but innocent. I know I shouldn't allow my mind to daydream about River so much, but ever since meeting her, I can't help it.

Now Candace had to go ruin things. River had looked so frustrated when she'd realized Candace knew about her therapy sessions. Also, Candace was really shitty for bringing them up in that way- and for calling River less fortunate.

Now River was gone! Apparently she left the lunch room and hasn't been seen since. Luckily, Mr. L was already getting text from Trent, so he let me step aside to see if maybe I could somehow reach her. Of course, I called and she never picked up. Then I sent River a series of text- apologizing, asking her to let me know where she was. I saw that the text had been delivered but they were still unread. Ahhh River, Where are you?!

I couldn't even pretend to care about the studpid clay art project we were supposed to be making in 6th period today, as I started to grow more worried about River. Once class ended, I leapt out of my seat, ready to hopefully hear a River update from Logan, Trent, Morgan or somebody when my phone buzzed.

Ugh- it was Parisa.

"Hey," I picked up.

"Hey! Soccer practice is canceled cuz of the rain. Eric still has practice though in the weight room so can I hitch a ride home? Are you going home right now?"

"I think River's missing," I told Parisa.

"What?! What do you mean missing?"

"She got mad at me during lunch and now she hasn't been seen since,"

"Wait, maybe she was just skipping class. And wait- why did she get mad at you?! What did you-"

"I'm kind of freaking out right now. Can you not make me feel worse,"

"Okay, okay. Where are you? Why don't you come to the human drop off area and we'll figure this out,"

I did as Parisa had said, and I met her at the human drop off area. It was always weird to pick her up from here. Not many mixed families existed, so lots of the humans were always so scared I was going to do something crazy like step on their car or something. Why would I step on a human car when I'm coming to pick up or drop off my human family member? It makes no sense! I'm big, not evil.

When I saw Parisa lower her umbrella to reveal her soccer sweatshirt I knelt down waiting for her to finally make it over to me. When she was close enough I plucked her umbrella up, before placing my hand down for her to climb on.

"Uggh! This rain is horrible. Wait- why didn't you wear a shirt with a pocket?" Parisa asked, I looked down realizing she was right. My sweatshirt didn't have a pocket for her.

"Sorry. Didn't know I'd be your chauffeur today,"

"Ugh. Whatever. Okay, so what did you do to upset River?" Parisa asked as she sat crisscrossed in my palm, pulling her long hair back with a hair tie she'd had around her wrist.