The Girl They Couldn't Find

Chapter 8

Lucas' POV
Finally, exams are over.

I'm buzzing with anticipation. Farkle goes on and on about how he probably got 100% and Maya cracks jokes about how she probably had the worst score in the school.

Riley doesn't say anything.

Last week she was completely fine. We all went to the movies to watch the new Harry Potter prequel, and she gushed endlessly about how it was such an amazing movie.

Now, she just twirls her purple highlight and hides in the toilet. She thinks I won't notice.

I can hear her screaming.

I remember last time. My heart snapped in two when I saw blood pouring down her wrists. My Riley, so young, so damaged.

As I walk home, I watch the cars zoom along the crowded roads without a care in the world. The trees are swaying, and the wind is whistling. People laugh. People shout. People cry.

I want Riley to be happy.

"Mum?!" I shout, as I walk through the door.

"Dinner is in the fridge," a voice slurs from underneath a pile of pink blankets in the couch. I sigh. Mum has been drinking every second night since she broke up with her boyfriend, Tom. I never liked him anyway. He called me "Big O'l Man," and dumped his rubbish in my room when he stayed for the night.

Bing. I check my phone.

Lucas?
What's up Farkle?
Come over. NOW.
Where?
...
FARKLE.
Lucas.
What?

Two minutes pass, and I glare at my phone screen, waiting for Farkle to reply. Finally he sends two, heart-wrenching words.

It's Riley.