Everyone Talks

14 - Everybody's Talkin'

It had been three days since the news broke of Sophia's disappearance. Five since her actual disappearance, at least according to what the sheriff's department had said.

And now the school had decided to "officially" address it with an assembly.

Nellie sat in the back, leaning against the sound booth, watching as students filed into the performing arts center and found seats. It was overdue, in her opinion. And too late. The sheer amount of rumors flying around were out of control as of Monday afternoon. She wasn't even sure why they were having one at this point.

At least some people had moved on from her, though she still got dirty looks in the hallways. A few were also outright avoiding her, as though they thought she was stupid enough to gut them at the school. Especially with the sheriff's department still making the rounds of interviews.

Her eyes drifted up to the stage, where she saw her father standing with Rick, the principal and sheriff. While Mr. Howard appeared to be in serious conversation with Sheriff Harris, her father and Rick were watching the students and teachers slowly filling the seats. They never lingered on any one person for long, at least from her perspective.

"Ya hear anythin' new?" Emory asked.

Nellie glanced at her and then over at Charlie on her other side. Both were leaned in close, Emory's voice well below stage whisper, though it wasn't necessary. No one was seated around them yet.

She returned to watching her father.

"He said they got some leads, but feels like it's takin' too long," she whispered back.

"Why ya think they're finally doin' an assembly 'bout all this?" Charlie whispered. "Think they found somethin' they're gonna tell us about?"

That had been on Nellie's mind since they made the announcement during first hour. Last night, it sounded like her father wasn't getting anywhere. Maybe this was a chance to watch everyone in the school who interacted with Sophia and find a lead. Or maybe it was follow through on something they already knew.

If Sophia had been taken, it made sense that it was likely someone she knew. That she had beef with. Nellie almost snorted. While she was popular, they'd spend forever sifting through everyone who had something against the dancer.

But just as quickly, dread flooded through her. Mimi was right about one thing - whatever Sophia had done to hurt Nellie or others, she didn't deserve whatever horrible things could be happening to her.

"Ya still think she coulda run off?" Emory asked.

Nellie stiffened but then shook her head.

"While she could be dramatic... I don't think she'd do somethin' like this to her mom and dad," she admitted. "Which only leaves one other conclusion. Or well... a couple, but none are good."

She looked over past Charlie, seeing the news cameras set up along the back. There were a few others on the other side. It seemed they were ramping up the news coverage. Her eyes drifted back to the stage where a large screen lit up with Sophia's school photo from last year. Her smile was bright, her eyes sparkling. It looked like a girl with no worries or fears. Nellie now wondered how much of that was an act.

"At least the sheriff's department seems to have moved on from ya," Charlie said. Nellie scowled at her. "I mean, think about it... ya do have motive."

Nellie glanced around, trying to see if anyone was watching them. That was probably why no one was sitting around them. They still believed that damn CreekTalk alert.

"Have ya heard anythin'?" Nellie asked, her brow furrowed.

"Well..." Emory said. Nellie and Charlie looked at her. "I heard some things yesterday... some are wonderin' if ya... may have been involved. But only 'cause of everythin' she put ya through freshman year. But they all know we left the party together, so I don't think anyone is seriously considerin' it."