Hearts Parade of a Lyrical Life

Ryan's Claim to Fame is a Disappearing Act

Tuesday, September 12th

I show up to school expecting it to be a regular day, except that when I get to the gates to meet Grace and Ryan, Ryan isn't there. Grace is pacing anxiously.

"Grace, what's wrong?" I go over and try to comfort her. After a moment of us taking deep breaths together, she replies,

"Ryan won't answer any of my texts or calls!" She wails, I fail to see what's out of the ordinary here. Seeing how distressed she is I decide to keep my arm around her in the hopes that she'll calm down.

"He's probably just lost his phone, I bet he'll show up any second." I reassured her, but she looked back at me with a concerned expression, it seemed as if there was something she wasn't telling me. She forces her face into a smile (which I recognise to be fake) in an attempt to not pass the worry over to me. I started to get worried now too as I thought of all the reasons Grace would possibly be hiding something from me.

Sitting in class without Ryan there was weird, I had no one to look over to when I got bored or distracted. I decided to try to pay attention and write good notes, I figured I could at least give them over to Ryan when I see him next. I look over to Grace and she's struggling to pay attention, she keeps shifting in her seat, as if every position is the most uncomfortable feeling in the world. I consider what could be going through her mind. Is he hurt? Should I be worried too?

I walked arm and arm with Grace to lunch, she continued to act as if she were okay, but every word she said sounded like she was holding back tears to say it. My worry only grew as the day went on. Once we sat at our table with Spencer and Jon, Jon asked the obvious.

"Where's Ryan?" Grace looked down and then up at Jon, having taken a breath before responding.

"Ryan is out sick today, he'll be back tomorrow." Ryan is sick? Is that true? If it is, what kind of illness that would only last a day could make Grace so uptight, she isn't one to overreact. I mulled this over in my mind, each thought seemed to only worry me further. Jon and Spencer seem satisfied with this answer though and resume eating their respective lunches, not asking any further questions.

"I guess that means you and I can practice the keyboard today after classes without any complications." Jon says optimistically. I know he meant no harm by it but something about it irked me that he'd refer to Ryan as a 'complication'. I mean sure he gets on my nerves too and he gets in the way a lot but it's not like he's a nuisance. I decide I'm getting too worked up about it and agree to the suggestion, Jon is right after all, I do need to get some practice in and he is helpful at the very least.

"Can I join you guys?" Spencer speaks up, listening in, "I'm free after school and Ryan got to tag along last time.

Jon sighs, "Yeah sure Spencer you can come." He says, sounding slightly disappointed.

I still keep looking over at Grace, she looks so nervous under her smile, how can something like taking a sick day get to her that much? I open my phone and write a quick text to Ryan.

Y/N: "How come you aren't at school today? Grace is worried sick."

I close my phone after sending the message and head to my last classes.

————

After classes, I decided to invite Grace over to band practice to try and cheer her up. I figure she could use being around friends right now. At the news of this she did seem to be excited at the very least. I walked her to the music room and Jon gave a surprisingly kind welcome, he must have noticed how down she'd been too.

"Hi Grace!" Jon walks up to her and gives her a friendly hug which she gladly reciprocates. Spencer waves over at us both, smiling. Jon goes to open the door to the music room and welcomes Grace in, she's so excited to see our practice space.