Missing Piece [COMPLETED]

Chapter Six

My heart skipped, I knew Cody had sent me that message. All through dinner I was on edge and my mother noticed.

"Ellie dear what's up? You look distraught."

My little brother was messing his food up into a big pile, looking quite satisfied with himself.

"Just school," I lied. My mother gave me her best sympathetic smile and replied, "It's only one more year Ellie, then you'll be a college girl."

College. That was a scary word, I had thought about being older when I was little but now, I just wanted to stay a kid.

"Given any more thought into what school you'd like to apply to? We have to get started ASAP."

My mother was worried about applying for college, while I sat at the table worrying about passing 12th grade.

"Can I come to college with you?" Benjamin questioned, "I could live in your bathtub."

My mom and I chuckled, picturing Ben with his pillow and blanket all snuggled into a cold, hard tub. Quite an amusing thought.

I glanced down at my phone, the screen said 8:32, and I was to meet Cody at 9.

Now only to think of an excuse to go out.

"Hey mom, we have projects for science due this week, my partner is Alyssa, could I go over to her place to work?"

My mom reflected for a moment then smiled, "be back before 12 please Ellie, remember to keep your mace with you."

I sighed, a most thoughtful gift purchased by mother dear, to protect her "baby".

My mom never even knew what happened between Tim and I, when I really could've used it, oh the irony.

I gathered my keys and glanced in the hallway mirror, calming my flyaways and clearing a mascara smudge before I deemed myself presentable. My stomach was off though, maybe it was butterflies... Was I scared? Or excited? Even though I had been angry with Cody, I needed to know the truth.

The road towards the barn was made of gravel, my car heaved it's way over until it stopped 2 miles from the barn.

Great, thanks for nothing 4-wheel drive.

As I finally neared the barn, my feet slightly sore I could see someone standing by the barn. It was Cody, and he had lit a fire in the pit. As I walked closer I examined Cody, it looked like he had been living in the streets for the past week.

"Ellie...." He started to say, but I just smiled and gave him a hug, holding my breath from the stink that radiated from his clothes.
I don't know what came over me, suddenly forgetting how upset I had been.

"I'm so sorry about that thing with the cop, I guess I have some explaining to do..." He said, looking a tad disheartened.

We sat down on some logs and I gave his grubby hand a loving squeeze.

He began, "It all started about 8th grade, the year I failed. My brother was getting into stuff that I knew was bad, but no matter how I tried to tell him to he wouldn't stop. One night he came home late, beaten up, his arm broken...my brother told me he had to go away.

He didn't know where, but he just had to get out of town. I only found out later that it was Tim's older brother that had rallied his gang to beat up my brother, and his friends.

My brother belonged to a gang, a big one. And they took me under their wing, I got involved into some bad things, I ended up having to steal money to repay a debt my brother left.

I thought I had got away clean but this cop got me and I went to a detention area for a bit, missing a few weeks of school. The whole gang-problems I had to deal with left me no time for school so I ended up failing that year. "

My stomach dropped, I didn't know much about gangs, but from what I recalled from mob movies they usually were hard asses that carried guns and smoked cigars. Cody did not fit the persona.

Although I was only aware of gangs through movies, I didn't know what they were actually like in real life.

Cody sensed my hesitation, he looked into my eyes with such sadness. I could tell he had been through so much and was so sick of it.

"I just want to get out of here, I want to go somewhere where my past doesn't come back and haunt me. Where my brothers mistakes aren't haunting me," he revealed.

I looked up at the sky, the stars were bright and the sky was clear enough to see the constellations. It was peaceful, crickets were clicking, and a soft breeze rustled the trees.

I thought of all he said and silently forgave him. His past was heavy, and it only made my dark secrets an even bigger burden.

My mind then jumped to a thought. A scary thought.

I tried to think of something else but before my mind could stop my mouth I blurted, "When we graduate, let's go somewhere, I have some money saved up."

Cody turned, taken off-guard, "Really?" He questioned, a small, mischievous twinkle in his eye.

I smiled back, "I promise." Mentally face palming myself for the commitment I just signed up for. Cody grabbed my hand and held it, encircling my fingers with his rough, callused hands.

"Ellie, I can't wait," he breathed, his face edging closer to mine. His eyes locked on my lips.

A blush crept up my neck into my cheeks, his lips only inches from mine. I could feel his breath tickling my skin, my body aching for a kiss. But he just kept staring into my eyes, like he wanted to gain my trust before getting closer to me. I shook my head and broke our gaze. 

"Cody, I can't..." I began, tears forming in my eyes, recollecting all the memories of my past that haunted me. I was hurt, I didn't need anyone like Cody coming in and breaking more pieces. Suddenly I could feel arms around me, and although smelly, I could feel how Cody sympathized with me.

"It's okay El, I'm here for you. Now I'll be back in school in a couple days, I just have to figure some stuff out, then I'll come home." He promised, still encircling me with his arms. I hated how safe Cody made me feel, I hated how I got butterflies every time he touched me. And I hated, that deep down, I thought he'd save me from all the hate I held.

----------------------------

Cody was right, he showed up to school only three days later looking showered, and overall cleaner.

The halls were a buzz with chatter, students commenting on Cody, and all their ridiculous ideas of where he had been.
I smiled, Cody was popular even when he didn't try.

I realized then that I was missing a particularly peppy girl next to me.

Where was Alyssa?

She never missed school.
I looked down the hall to her locker, she still wasn't there.

Weird.

I headed towards first class, sad in knowing the school day would be bland and boring without Alyssa to spice it up, when something caught my eyes. I had passed the principal's office but not before I spied Mrs. and Mr. Kingsley in the office, Alyssa's parents. I edged closer to the door and ducked under the window so they couldn't see me, I could hear stifled crying, Mrs. Kingsley no doubt, she was always emotional. But then I could hear Mr. Kingsley's loud, angry voice, "This is unacceptable! Our daughter left for school this morning, but she forgot her lunch so my wife tried calling her. No answer. Our daughter is missing Mr. Waters, how can you be so nonchalant about this???

My eyes widened, where was Alyssa? I could feel a sense of panic etch it's way across me and I could feel a bad feeling rise in the pit of my stomach.

Alyssa Kinglsey, 18 years old, the brown haired, brown eyed beauty was missing.

My best friend was missing.