Winter Break -- VERY SLOWLY EDITING

Chapter 22

Well the dreaded day finally was here. Neither Tessa, Mel, or me knew why Rachel had texted us about this 'party' or who else was going to be there. But I got up and started getting ready. I didn't know what kind of party it was going to be but I guessed it probably wouldn't be formal, so I threw on a pair of khaki shorts and a Nike T-shirt. I grabbed my socks and shoes and headed downstairs.
'I had to go into work early today sweetie. Pancakes are sitting in the refrigerator waiting for you. Hugs and kisses!! ~Love Mom.'
I sighed just a bit before putting on my shoes and grabbing the plate of pancakes and tossing them in the microwave.
I tried calling Melody but no answer so I went to dial Tessa, then realizing that she hates my guts right now. I slipped on my sperrys and grabbed the plate of pancakes. I checked the clock; it was 10:45, the party starts at 4:00 so I don't have to leave until around 3:30, so until then I decided to lounge around on the couch.
Buzz buzz 1 new message from Tessa

Tessa: Hey what are you up to???

I sat there in stunned silence for awhile. It had been almost a month since Tessa had talked to me.

Tessa: I'm going over to Mels. Wanna meet us there?

Me: Sure I currently have nothing else better to do.

Tessa: Okie :)

I something was off, but I couldn't quite grasp it so I grabbed the keys off the counter, although I wasn't allowed to drive I did have a permit. So technically it was legal, I was just missing an adult. Oh well. I decided to save the last pancake for Melody ,because I know she loves white chocolate chip pancakes, and I walked out the door to my car.
Five minutes later, I pulled up in Melodies driveway. I considered going through her front door but I quickly reconsidered when I saw Mels older brothers motorcycle sitting in the garage.
"Yippy." I mumbled under my breath.
The last time me and Jake talked was the last time I saw Mel. I had jumped their fence and climbed the vines to Mels room when Jake wouldn't allow me through the front door. Definitely not the wisest decision I've made, but then again lately nothing really has. I was risking a lot coming over here but I really needed to see Melody.
I knocked on the door and a moment later Jake was standing in front of me. He glared down at me and I was actually scared.
"Um, Tessa texted me saying I could come over, that she was her with Mel." I said. I mumbled and ran my sentences together more then I care to accept.
"I haven't seen Tessa in a few days and Mel has been cooped up in her room the past several hours. So nice try."
Jake turned and started to close the door on me and I realized why everything had seemed off. Tessa doesn't say 'okie' Ashley does, and that means either one of them or both of them are in serious danger.
"Jake wait! Are you sure she has been in her room all day?" I asked.
"Ya I'm pretty sure. I haven't seen her since last night." I pushed past him and ran up the spiral staircase.
"Wait Nate, are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"Like I said I got a text from Tessa. But it turns out it wasn't really Tessa. It was Ashley."
He stopped running up the stairs and looked up at me. I don't think I've ever seen or heard Jake Parks cry before, but I saw tears spring to his eyes when I told him this.
"How do you know for sure?" He asked, his voice cracking.
"I know how Tessa and Ashley text, and Tessa doesn't say "Okie"" I tossed the phone down to Jake and he looked at the message and his face went as white as a ghost.
"Go. Go!" We both started running up the stairs again and when we got up we stood in front of Melody's room, waiting. Both of us scared of what we would find when we opened the door. Soft music came spilling out from under her door and for a brief second I had a tiny bit of hope. Then we opened the door, and Melody was gone.