Never to be Seen

Chapter 1

In the beginning, my life seemed completely normal. My name was Zara, I would wake up every morning in a decent sized apartment that I shared with my grandmother. We'd talk, share stories and laugh until it was time for me to go to school.

At school, I kept to myself a lot. I didn't have many friends but I had my own little circle and we got on well. At the end of the school day, I would go back to my grandmother in the apartment and we'd talk and share stories about our day and laugh some more.

My grandmother was my everything. She supported me endlessly and never let me feel the emptiness of not ever being able to see my parents. That's right, I'd never seen them. My grandmother was literally my whole family and she gave me the love of a whole family as well. We cared far too much about each other.

My life took a complete and unexpected turn when I was a senior in high school on my Christmas break. I used to live in New York City in an apartment a little farther uptown Manhattan and I had a decent life. I always wished something better would come out of this life I was living but nothing ever did. I didn't want to be stuck in New York, going to school like every other teenager. I wanted to do better things, travel, explore.. But I couldn't.

My grandmother was supporting the two of us on her pension money which was a small amount as it was and I didn't want to make her feel like she wasn't doing enough by asking her to let me go on a plane even though I knew well enough that it wasn't in our budget. I'd cry and think about how horrible my life was and looking back, I realize that I couldn't have been any more stupid because my life was about to get pretty intense.

* * *

It started that first day in school when my friend Isabel ran up to me. She was always one of those girls who loved to socialize and interact and I kept to myself and didn't really let strangers into my life.

"Zara! Guess what!" She spun me around to face her and I realized that I had no choice but to listen to whatever she was about to tell me.

"Okay there's a frat party at that giant frat house down town and we have to go, I know you're gonna say no but come on, you need to get out more and I'm not going to take no for an answer." I looked at her and blinked a couple of times to process what she had just said.

It amazed me how fast she could speak.

"I have homework." I lied to my best friend and she could tell. Of course I didn't have homework, it was friday and we had a week off from school for christmas. I was such a terrible liar.

"Zar, you're a terrible liar. I'll pick you up at 8:30." With that she walked away while I was still mentally cursing myself for being so lame.

I wasn't on board with the whole party idea. I liked to have fun and I used to love to go out with my friends but parties are different. It's just an excuse for people to get so drunk that they have an excuse to grind on a random stranger. It was holiday season and I remember thinking that I was gonna get dragged along to many more parties but I had no idea that it would be the last party I ever went to.

When the school day finally came to an end, I gathered my books and slid them into my tote. I stepped out the front doors into the cold air. I quickly took out my gloves and shoved them on my numbing fingers as light flakes of snow came down. I zipped up my red winter coat as much as it would go and started to walk towards home. That was another thing I hated, the fact that I couldn't afford a car. I was lucky my high school wasn't more than a couple blocks from the apartment building but it was nothing more than a struggle.

I pulled open the front door to the lobby of the apartment building and a rush of warm air greeted me. A Christmas tree stood in the corner giving the entire room a warm and cozy glow. I pressed the elevator button and heard the familiar chime and got in. All I could think of the entire way up was the party and it stressed me out.

I had no idea what I was gonna wear or who was gonna be there and even what time the cops would have to come. With a sigh I stepped out of the elevator and opened the door to the apartment. The smell of cinnamon greeted me and my mood instantly lifted as I saw my grandmother on the couch awaiting me.

She looked up at me and her face instantly brightened with a smile. She rushed over to me with a steaming plate of snickerdoodles and gestured to one. I took one and instantly felt at ease as the familiar taste flooded my mouth.

"These are delicious," I mumbled and I watched my grandmother's smile brighten even more. It was amazing to me how happy I could make her, it even surprised me at times that I could make anyone happy at all.

"I'm so happy you liked them. I thought it would be a good way to start your Christams break." She patted my shoulder and put the plate down. I took off my jacket and gloves and sat down on the couch next to her.

We flipped through the channels and settled on an episode of America's Next Top Model. My grandmother really loved this show and it was crazy how much she got into it. Every night we'd both sit by the fire and watch t.v and it was great to have someone to always be there for you and of course I took this for granted.

"Aw not her!" My favorite contestant had just gotten booted off the show when my phone let out a chime. I picked it up and saw a message from Isabel.

*I'm on my way* I had totally forgotten about the party. My phone let out another chime. *Don't make me wait* I sighed and turned to my grandmother who was laughing at something from the show.

"Grandma! I completely forgot to tell you but I'm going to a party tonight." She looked up at me. I knew this was a bad idea but I had no choice. She is definitely going to say no.

"Okay, just don't stay later than 11:00 and don't do anything I wouldn't." She said it with a smile then added, "I trust you." I smiled. I had such an understanding grandmother and I quickly nodded yes, hugged her, and ran off to my bedroom. I wish I knew then that it would be the last time I'd ever hug her, or even hold her close to me.

I quickly ran over to my closet and realized I had nothing to wear .. how typical. I rolled my eyes and sighed. I looked through my closet again and pulled out a green and red patterned tube top dress my friend Avery had given me.

I had never worn it because I thought it looked strange but I pulled it on and looked in my mirror. It was a form fitted dress which apparently showed off curves. It was my only option so I pulled it on and looked in the mirror. I hated how the tight fabric outlined my body so I threw a leather jacket on top.

I looked in the mirror once more deciding that this would be the last party I would be going to. To me the dress showed too much but the jacket did aid in keeping the look as subtle as it would get. I reapplied my makeup, this time making my eyes look more dark. I swiped gloss on my full lips, smearing with my finger.

I quickly sprayed on perfume. I rushed to get shoes on, finally deciding on the black combat boots that were the most comfortable choice.

I walked out into the living room and my eyes fell upon my grandmother on the couch. She had fallen asleep so I took out a blanket and laid it across her and quietly slipped out the door.

My phone chimed and I reached into my jacket and grabbed it. It was a text from Isabel asking where the hell I was. I sighed and raced to the lobby. I stepped out the front doors onto the snow dotted sidewalk and looked for her car. I finally spotted it at and rushed over and slid inside. She looked at me shocked.

"What?" I looked at her.

"Who are you and what have you done to my Zar?" I rolled my eyes at her and started laughing. I playfully pushed her and she smirked.

"Shut up Iz!" I was thankful that she couldn't see how much I was blushing.

"Where have you kept this side of you hidden? You're going to have a tough time keeping the boys away from you" she smirked.

I opened the mirror and tried to shake the flakes of snow from my hair.

"Like any guy would chase me anywhere." I sighed and leaned back into the leather of the seat.