Chapter 18 - File #3.10: The Lost and Found

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Avery

The kids went up on stage to rehearse. Some of them were already in full costumes. On their hands was a bundle of paper, the script. Under Mrs. Rory's command, they started to recite their lines. Both she and Alex stood on the side with their own scripts.

"I'm not even halfway through finishing the set, but it looks good, doesn't it?" Kyle, standing next to me, smiled proudly. He watched the rehearsal a little more, and then laughed along with other people. "I swear the original script wasn't like this. Your brother really dumped the 'cringey' parts. He's talented."

I heard it, but didn't respond.

Kyle turned his head to me, realizing that he had been talking by himself. "You're still worried about Rhett?" He asked. "Or you're mad because I laughed at you for worrying about him?"

"Why aren't you?" I asked back.

"Because I'm his best friend, that's why. I know what he's like. Spoiler alert: our Rhett is a bit of a drama king," he replied.

Well, I never knew how that felt because I'd never had any real friends before. I should have just ignored the message that wasn't even sent to me, but I couldn't because I was somewhat responsible.

Seeing me staring at the stage with uneasiness, Kyle added, "Okay, let's try to call him then, if that will make you happy."

He called Rhett's number and activated the speaker so I could hear it too. No answer.

"That doesn't mean something happens to him, alright," he stated before I said anything. "I'm gonna keep trying until he picks up, so why don't you enjoy the rehearsal? You know Alex worked hard for it."

I watched him disappear behind the door. The corner of my lips raised a little. I couldn't believe that was the man who scolded me and whom I scolded in a coffee shop. He turned out to be so kind despite all the sassiness.

The first act of the play had finished. Mrs. Rory gathered the kids and gave a briefing about the next act, while Alex stepped up to explain about the small changes in the script. It was their first time rehearsing with the new script, but they were playing almost flawlessly.

Just a little after second act started, Kyle entered the hall and ran towards me.

"Someone picked up the phone," he said between his breaths. "She said she found it on the ground at 12th Street."

"Wait, you mean Rhett doesn't have his phone with him?" I gasped. "Rhett is clumsy, but he wouldn't leave his phone like that, would he?"

"He forgets his phone all the time, but never really on the ground," Kyle sounded worried.

"You said 12th Street? That's where the crime scene is," I muttered. "If he got to send that short message and his phone was with someone else later, it means he really needs help."

"It's not a news to me—and everyone—that Rhett got into trouble..." His voice faded away as he found my eyes staring at him. "What? You obviously don't know him long enough to think like that."

I was in the middle of a great dilemma, but then I sounded off, "I'll go there."

"What—no, no, no," Kyle grabbed my arm, which he immediately let go after seeing my unamused face. "You can't go there alone—I mean, you can't just leave your brother here."

"I'll come back before three." I turned around, but couldn't proceed because Kyle stood in my way.

"I'm coming with you, then," he insisted. "We look for Rhett. Found or not found, we get back here before three, understand?"

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