Wherever You Went

Chapter one ~ Thea Rose~

Oh come on, Scar!" My friend, Thea and I were walking downtown in the crisp fall air that had came in earlier this week. We were both wearing our beanie hats, and pea coats, we had bought last year at Pollyanna's Fashion House, located next to Jen's Diner. She had picked out a magenta pea coat and yellow beanie, while I stuck to my basic black coat, and grey hat.
"I don't see a reason too!" I explained, taking a sip of the coffee in my hands. "I mean, I hate the game, I find it barbaric and annoying!"
"Scarlett, it's homecoming! Nobody really watches the game, they go to act supportive and have fun with friends! We are on the cheer team, it's the biggest night of the year! And you can just watch David the whole time!" Thea always brought up David when she wanted me to go to something, saying he'd want me there. David Han and I had been dating for a year. Everyone in town, including my father and David, had this idea that we would be together forever, and right after highschool, we'd get married and live right here in Greenhill, with me popping out a few kids along the way. Everyone thought this, but me. I didn't want to stay in a small town in Oregon for the rest of my life, but of course, leaving wasn't really an option.
"Yeah, I forgot about David." I looked down at my coffee, taking another long sip.The hot liquid soothed by throat. I liked my coffee black, no cream, no sugar, just the way God intended.
"Scarlett Rosalie King. I know you haven't been okay for these past few months, but honey I promise you, everything will be okay, I'll be here through everything, every fight, every victory, every doubt, every dream, every nightmare, I'll be here to go through it with you. Starting with homecoming." I smiled and rounded the corner to the street that connected with mine. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"I love you Thea Rose."
"And I you, Scar." Her voice drifted at the end, and my small smile faded to me frown
"I miss you." After I whispered the words, I opened my eyes, looked besides me, and saw the truth. Thea had been missing for three months, and wasn't here to go through it all with me.

"No new news on the missing Thea Rose, from Greenhill, Oregon, but in her schools homecoming parade, they are planning on having a float dedicated for her, praying she comes home safe. If anyone has news or information about Thea, please contact your local police department. And now for -" I was sitting on the couch in my living room, blankly staring at our local news reporter, while wrapped up in a large blanket. I could here my dad putting something in the oven for dinner, when a knock came from the front door. Neither of us made any move to signal we'd get the door, so I just yelled it was open. A tall, well built teenage boy came in through the door.
"David!" My father walked over to where David was, and hugged my boyfriend, patting him on the back. David came over to me, kissing my forehead, saying hi. I made no sound or movement, just let him kiss me, then turned back to the TV. I tried to focus on Kelsey Merryom, our local reporter, but couldn't help eavesdropping on the whispers behind me.
"How has she been? Really, Jack?" David's voice was hushed, but not quite enough.
"She went out this morning for a walk, she seemed happy, but when she came back, she showered, came downstairs, and hasn't moved since. You have to put yourself in her shoes with this one, she is reminded every day that Thea is gone." My father spoke with such emotion, as if he was trying to connect with me somehow with this situation.
"I know. I just wish she'd talk to me, but it's like I'm communicating to a wall. It's been three months. I'm really worried about her."
"We both are." I heard my dad take a deep breath. "Why don't you take her out tonight?"
"I don't know, she'll probably just turn it down."
I'm not sure why, but that sparked a trigger in my body, and I bolted up from my seat. I put on a smile and went over to my dad and David. They both had wide eyes for a second before they turned into nervous smiles. I went over to my dad first, kissing the top of his head.
"That sounds like a great idea, Daddy!" I asked, revealing I had been listening. I put on my best smile I could do with the fire in my stomach. "David, would you like to go out tonight?"
"Uh... Yeah! Absolutely! I'll pick you up at seven?" He asked, standing and coming over, taking my hands.
"Could we do six? I've been getting very tired lately, and I think a good night's sleep will do me good." I smiled and attempted to put Thea out of my head. No luck. I kept replaying great memories we shared.
"The sooner the better." David pulled my tiny frame against his built one, for a quick kiss then a hug he had to bend down for. The height difference was very noticeable. I was a petite five three, while David was a good six four. "I'll see you soon, bye!"
"Bye." I waved and smiled, hoping it looked real. David must have bought it because his eyes screamed his happiness, along with his smile. He left my house and I just stood in my dinning room, not moving a muscle until I heard his car start, and pull out of my driveway. My smile fell, and I walked to the front door, before turning left to go up the stairs instead.