Cecile's New School

Is He Dead?! (What? No. I-I'm not Dead!)

Chapter Nine

Cecile walked through the halls of school. She opened her locker and took out her books.

She paused. Something felt... different.

She let out a small cough before closing the locker with a slam. Hmmm... Did she accidentally come on a day off?

She looked around. Students milled around in the halls with their uniforms. Nope. It was indeed a school day.

She chewed the inside of her cheek in thought.

Hmmm... What was wrong? Cecile took a better look around. Something was missing.

Maybe she should ask Foster what was the matter. She turned to find Foster not there. Where did he go?

She walked to the cafeteria.

"Foster?" She called and stuck her head into the room.

The school's soccer team looked back at her. They were having a meeting.

Could Foster be there? Wait. Foster? An athlete? She tried to suppress a chuckle. "Sorry! Wrong room!" She smiled and grabbed some napkins.

She thought about what exactly could be different as she blew her nose.

She wadded up the paper and tossed it sloppily beside the trash can. She didn't have the drive to pick it up and put it correctly into the bin.

Cecile poked her face into the gym. "Foster?" Her voice quietly echoed through the gym.

The gym coaches looked at her. "Cecile? It's almost time for class. You okay?" One asked.  It was actually her gym teacher, Coach Matthias.

She nodded.  "Yes, I know it is, but was Foster here today?" She questioned further.

He shrugged and turned fully to her.  "I'm not sure. Maybe he's in the counselor's office?" He wondered aloud.

Cecile waved in thanks before heading to the counselor's.

"C. Oakley!" She called and swung open the door.

Oakley jumped and looked at Cecile. "Braydon! Aren't you supposed to be in class? It's going to start soon-" The bell then rung.

Cecile fell heavily into one of the seats. "Where's Foster?" She asked.

The counselor raised an eyebrow. "Fletcher? I don't know."

Cecile frowned. "You mean he didn't come in here today?" She asked.

Oakley showed her the monitor. It was of the school's security cameras.

"Nope. I didn't see him either. What about Barrett? They're close friends. I always see them hanging out on the cameras. I'm sure he'll know. But first, go to class."  Cecile stood up, excited that she had gotten a new lead. 

"Oh. And Braydon?" 

Cecile looked back. 

"You need a tan soon. You're looking paler by the day." The counselor grumbled.

She saluted the counselor.  "Yes, sir-ma'am!" She smiled and quickly went to class. The door closed with a bang behind her.

She quickly stuck her head back in. "Could I maybe get a hall pass? Thanks."

🤔

"Barrett!" Cecile jumped out at him when he left his classroom. Her face turned crimson.

"Cecile!" He called out with an animated laugh. She started walking with him to their next class.

"Do you know where Foster is? I haven't seen him... all... day... OH MY. THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN MISSING! Thanks so much, Barrett!" She realized.

"You're welcome?" He said in a confused mutter.

Cecile took in a quick breath. "Wait. What if he's dead?! Is that why he didn't come today?!" She let out panicked squeak.

Barrett put a fuzzy costume covered hand over her shoulder. "He's not dead! I think." He tried to comfort her.

She stopped in her tracks and buried her face into her hands. "Look, why don't you go see him for yourself?"

She peeked at him through her fingers. "I don't know his address." She murmured.

"I'll give it to you. Do you need his number, too?" He said.

She frowned. "No. I have it. I would have taken that offer last chapter, though."

She gave a sigh and waved him away.  "Foster, probably wouldn't want me to go to his house. On the other hand..." She rubbed her chin. "That would be good material..." She muttered.

"What?" The bear suit asked, again at a loss on what she was talking about.

Cecile smiled. "You know what?  Yeah. Where does he live? I'll pay him a little visit."