The New Kid

Chapter 17

Justin POV

It’s been a week since Ariana’s parents died and there’s still no sign of her at school. I am getting really worried, especially because she is all alone. I wonder what she is up to…

I woke up to my alarm. I was really tired and my body was sore. I didn’t get much sleep last night because I was thinking about Ariana. I even texted her a few times to see if she was okay but I didn’t get a reply from her.

I took a quick shower and dressed into my clothes. I wore a pair of baggy jeans and a black shirt on top. I looked like shit but I didn’t give a fuck. I skipped breakfast like usual and just drove right to school. I parked my car and was walking into the school when Lily stopped me.

“Lily?” I asked.

“Have you heard from Ariana?” she asked .

I shook my head and looked away.

“Listen, she isn’t talking to anyone of us. I think that maybe if you tried talking to her and finding out if she was okay, she would actually accept it. She isn’t even picking up my calls or anything.” Lily said.

“Why don’t you go to her house?” I asked.

“You think I haven’t tried? I went to her house a million times this past week and she wouldn’t even open the door. Her car is in her garage so I know she’s at home. Justin, please, for the love of god, can you please go check up on her?”

“I-I can’t. Sorry, Lily.”

“I’m serious, Justin. I am really scared that she might’ve done something to herself.”

I gave her one last look before I made my way to class.

I couldn’t get my mind off Ariana. Lily could be right. If Ariana isn’t answering their calls or her front door, she might have done something to herself… Oh God, please take these foul things out of my mind. Please, please, please make sure Ariana has not done anything to herself.

Finally, the lunch bell rang. I jumped out of my chair and ran to my car. I hopped in and started the engine. I drove straight to Ariana’s house hoping she was fine.

I parked into Ariana’s driveway and walked to her front door. At first, I was regretting even coming here but then I thought about Ariana and how miserable she probably is. I remember how I was when my mom died… I was heartbroken and sick.

I rang her doorbell a few times and realized that Lily was right, Ariana was never going to open this door. There has to be another way for me to get in here, I thought. I walked around the house to the backyard. The backyard door was also locked. Shit. I then noticed that one of the upstairs windows was open. The only way to get up there was to climb the tree and jump in. Even though I am terrified of heights, I climbed the tree. I came to the tip of the long branch that was beside the open window. I leaned my head forward and looked inside. This wasn’t Ariana’s room. I remember her room, it was full of pictures and splattered paint on the wall. I grabbed onto the ledge of the window and placed my feet onto it. I looked down and felt the urge of falling down. I quickly through myself inside the room and landed on the hard wood floor. Ouch.

I got up and examined the room. It was a really big room with a king sized bed. I think this is her parent’s room. I tiptoed through the room and opened the door as quietly as I could. As I was walking through the hallway, I peered into each room to see if Ariana was in them. The last room at the end of the hall came and by now, I was sure Ariana was in here. I held the door knob and turned it as slowly and quietly as I could. The door opened and I poked my head in. Ariana was surely in here, alright.