Come Home

Chapter Seven - Hannah

"I bet I know more about Cole Tennent than you do."

School had passed as it always does, slowly. But this time, I had something on my mind. I couldn't pay attention in any of my classes because I was so busy thinking about Cole's impending arrival. All of my teachers seemed to think I was either high or sleep deprived. I didn't correct them. Both stories are better than a runaway scared to meet her childhood friend.

I laughed dryly. "I doubt it."

He looked at me and smirked. "Really? Fine. Fact off."

I smiled. "You go first."

He cracked his knuckled. "I did my research."

I laughed. "Oh ok."

"You ready?"

He had no idea. "You bet."

"Ok." He took a deep breath. "He went to Alexander High school."

I laughed. He thinks that's a killer fact? If that's so, he has another thing coming. "His middle name is Jackson."

He looked a little surprised, but he didn't break his rhythm. "He went to Winchester Middle School."

"He went to Long Hill elementary and Oakville Community Nursery School. Move on."

He stared at me. "That only counts as one fact."

I smirked. "I think I can live with that."

"His first dance school was the YMCA."

"The dance instructor that made him famous was named Peter, but Cole hated him because he made him work."

He raised his eyebrows. "You're on a first name basis now, are you?"

I was not amused. "Your turn."

"Fine, fine. Before Cole Tennent became famous, he was friends with a girl named Hannah Williams, before she ran away. The reason she left is unknown."

" Actually, it's not. Hannah Williams left because she told Cole that she had to tell him something important, but he didn't answer her calls. Her middle name was Claire.

"Huh, what a coincidence, that's you're--"

"Yeah, yeah, moving on."

"Would you happen to know what she wanted to tell him?"

"Are you admitting you lost?"

"Sure. Now give me the deets."

"He was giving all of his attention to one of his other friends, who was saying mean things to Hannah behind his back."

He looked at me, squinting his eyes. "I'm going to have to fact check all of this.

"You're going to what?"

"He's bound to have a Q and A session, I'll ask him then."

My eyes widened. "No, no, don't do that!"

He smirked. "Are you saying everything you said was false?"

I sighed. "No, just please don't ask him about it."

"Too late! I have made up my mind!"

Oh god.

*****

I walked into the Leonida's at around 4:05. Mr. Green, the owner rushed over to me.

"Oh thank god, people we getting restless."

I smiled. "I'm only 5 minutes late."

"That's 5 minutes they could have been listening to music."