Bittersweet Moments

26 | Soufflé

26 | Soufflé

Just a normal cruising to the school with Mitch and just like that it was gone.

My feet were crossed one over the other as I laid on the backseat, one of Mitch's sunglasses perched on my nose. I even had my arms behind my head, but the ringing of the phone and the sudden brakes caught me off guard and I rolled down out of my seat.

"Sorry!" Mitch apologized, honking her horn, "Sudden traffic! Gee, that car though. Ollie, you think you can hold the wheel for a while because I need to get the license plate!"

She rapidly took out her phone, muttering 'nevermind, nevermind' as she went ahead and snapped a photo for her collection. Cars behind us began to honk and beep in impatience. "Alright, alright, cool your bumpers," she yelled behind her and slammed the gas.

It jolted me forward as I was going to get my phone. Someone was calling and I was worried that it was Maira, requesting for me to do something for tonight, the anniversary party. It would start at seven, but before that, Mitch and I had to visit school this fine day to help prepare for the Clevemore fair.

The Clevemore fair: also known as one of the best events at the school. Not only do clubs get to share what they did – I really had to check out the Exorcists Club, though – but it was a day we fooled around. Even teachers fooled around. I had heard Vasquez was pulling off a Batman suit.

Anyway, today was still for preparations and we had to get booths up, get our clubs ready for the shifting of jobs and make all sorts of props. Busy, yes, but it was absolutely worth it.

The caller wasn't Maira, as I feared, but it was Lawrence Riley. Great. Did he get to saw Jessica's head off already? Or had they found a girl for him? A little hesitantly, I put the phone up to my ear, "Hello?"

"Ollie!" Lawrence's frantic voice came, "Ollie! Please! You have to help me! This is an emergency!" He burst into fake sobs. I met Mitch's gaze through the mirror. She cocked one eyebrow and I shrugged.

Some communication we had.

"What is it now?" I let out an audible sigh, "Did you get your hand stuck in the sink? Your Lego table collapsed? Mr. Vernon shot you in the crotch again?"

"No! It's worse!"

I had never heard much panic in his voice ever since that one time his date broke down hysterically in the shop. It caught the attention of all the customers and staff, including Mom. Poor Lawrence had been stuck in a tight spot that time. I had gotten him free ice cream from my allowance that day.

"Is this about Jessica?" I asked carefully. If she was involved, then it was serious.

He cried out, "Yes! You have to help me, Ollie! She stayed the night and now she wouldn't come out of my room! She locked the door and I can't get in and she's not saying anything – I think she's dead, Ollie!"

Then came a wave of ramblings and alarmed anxieties from him. My eyebrows rose as I tried to calm him down. What was the matter with Jess? "She stayed the night at yours?" I asked.

Lawrence seemed to realize what it seemed to mean. "No, we didn't do anything! We were just going over options and watching a movie. Then she fell asleep and I carried her to my bedroom! Then I slept in the couch . . . and this morning I found the door locked. Help me! I'm still in pajamas and I haven't showered!"

Well that sounded like a problem. From up front, I grabbed Mitch's wrist and glanced at the time at her watch. "You're still in your pajamas and it's twelve noon!" I yelled into the phone.