Saving Serenity

[3] STAYING ALIVE

WAKING UP FROM her nap, Veronica thought of her best friend again.

Is she back home? She thought to herself while looking at the black sky out her window, and only a few lampposts were the source of light. Reaching out for her phone from her desk that was right next to her bed, she checked for missed calls. None. She gave calling Serrie again a try, but no answer.

With a tired sigh, she mumbled, "Where are you, Serrie?" And what on earth are you doing?

Then, she got an idea, just remembering that they were neighbors, and their bedrooms were opposite each other. She stood up to her feet, hoping that Serrie's bedroom light was on, and that she'd be probably jamming to her favorite songs, singing and dancing around.

Unfortunately, the room was completely black.

Maybe Archie would know. She dialed his number by heart, and put the speaker next to her ear. She waited as it rang and rang. Was he busy, or—?

"Hello?"

Not bothering to beat around the bush, she inquired, "Have you heard anything from Serrie?"

"Not at all, why?"

She felt her heart sink a bit. Why wasn't she informing any of them where she was, or at least tell them that she was okay? Then, Veronica explained, "Her mom called me earlier this afternoon. She said that Serrie wasn't picking her phone up so she asked me."

"And, did you? Hear from Serrie, I mean."

She frowned. "No. We kinda . . . argued."

"Must be for some small reason." He sighed. "I haven't heard from her, but I'll call her right now. I'll text you if she replied."

"Okay, bye." Then, she hung up, biting her lip in anticipation.

What should she do now? There was nothing to do, except to wait for his text. She really wanted Serrie to at least pick his call up, and tell them that she was safe. That there was nothing to worry about. Could she at least do that? Didn't she think of how worried they'd be? What about her mom, didn't she think about her? Or maybe this wasn't something she should be worrying about. Her phone could be dead. Veronica groaned, stuffing her face into her pillow.

She felt like it was her fault.

She shouldn't have told her off like that. She should've stopped herself from snapping at her. And to think that her last words to her were so harsh? The guilt just kept building up.

"I don't know, and I don't care. Just—just don't talk to me, Serrie. You're so selfish."

After a while, she received a text. Hope lifted up from the ground as she thought that maybe Serrie answered his call, and that she was okay. But as she read the message, her shoulders slumped in defeat.

She's not even answering my calls. Sorry. I'll keep trying, though. The argument you guys had must be big.

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The next day, at dinner, Veronica felt like something was off. It didn't feel like the usual happy or calm atmosphere. Instead, it was a tense one. Her mom and dad constantly glanced at each other with a nervous look, and then back at her. She could tell that they were trying to tell her something.

Finally, she put her spoon down, and arched an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"

Her dad cleared his throat, stealing a glance from his wife, and answered, "Not really." Veronica pursed her lips, knowing that she was right, and that she knew it was definitely something bad. "We have something to tell you."