Everyone Talks

11 - He's Got a Secret

Nellie wondered vaguely if she should be on her guard.

While it was obvious that the entire team wasn't there, several cars were still around the lot, meaning she wouldn't be completely alone with Caleb. The jury was still out on if or how he could be involved. Nellie didn't think Caleb would hurt Sophia; however, there was little she knew about him outside of football.

As Nellie rounded the corner, the old metal door squealed open. She came to a stop, waiting for whoever it was to step out from behind it. Rather than Caleb - that would be far too lucky - Noah walked out, a large bag tossed over his shoulder and his damp, dirty blonde hair plastered to his forehead. Nellie started toward him, her eyes on the door now slamming shut.

"Caleb in there?" she asked.

Noah came to a stop, his brow furrowed as he glanced at the door and looked back at Nellie. She was now close enough that she could tell he had just showered, which was better than the alternative. In fact, Nellie was currently wondering if she'd regret barging into the room and pass out from the noxious BO fumes.

"Yea." Noah's hand tightened around his keys as his eyes narrowed. "What are ya doin' here, Nellie?"

"Doesn't concern you."

The two stared each other down, but Nellie wasn't about to bow out first. Noah glanced at the door again and huffed.

"Whatever." He hiked up his bag on his shoulder and strode off, unlocking his car.

Nellie watched him before looking back at the door. She then looked around the gravel parking lot and found Caleb's Jeep off in the corner. Deciding that was a better place to confront him, she walked over and leaned against the driver's side, where no one could see her.

She pulled out her phone to check her messages. She sent one to her grandmother, letting her know that she was fine and would be home soon. Hopefully, that would hold off the search party long enough for her to talk to Caleb. She then browsed through social media.

Post after post was about Sophia.

In the several hours since news of her disappearance broke, people had taken to Facebook, Instagram, and everything else, pleading for her to come home. A weird, disconnected feeling came over Nellie. Like she was watching an episode of Dateline or a true crime podcast play out right in front of her in Shadow Creek. Rather than the girl who had made life a living hell for her, it was some stranger. Some other pretty, blonde girl with a bright future who had gone missing.

But reality came crashing in as Nellie remembered every single hateful word Sophia had directed her way. She closed her eyes.

"Why? I thought we were friends. Why would you say that?! Ya know it ain't true!"

Sophia's smug smile filled Nellie's head. She could almost feel the tears coating her cheeks. The snot dripping out of her nose.

Nellie shook the memory away, frowning as she looked back down at the phone. She never got an answer from Sophia. No, she had slammed the door in her face, and Nellie had walked home and cried in her sick mother's arms.

Some people were just rotten, she had decided that day. Were mean just because they could be. And that was Sophia.

However, Nellie's gut twisted. No matter how much Sophia had hurt her, her parents didn't deserve to worry about her like this. To be going over the what ifs and staying up all night, dreading that call from the sheriff's office.

As much as Nellie would be utterly pissed if it turned out that Sophia was just hanging out with some guy or friend for a few days, she also didn't want the other option. Sophia didn't deserve that. No one did.