Pattern

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

// Prudence //

When I woke up, I had severe cramps, so alerted my dad I would be staying in bed all day. He didn't ask, he trusted me enough to know I wouldn't not go to school without good reason.

I rang Madi, and she promised to come over after with hot chocolate, so I slept for a few hours and watched TV with Bellamy for a while, as Dad went off to work, much busier than he used to be. He hadn't told me that anyone had suddenly gone missing, but he didn't tell me much, so it didn't really mean anything. At ten past four, Madison turned up, armed with a hot water bottle and Aero chocolate.

"I love you," I said as I let her in. She winked at me. "I'm all yours, baby."

We sat down and watched The Vampire Diaries together, and it was great, because we hadn't done that or anything like it in nearly two weeks. We ate chocolate and I kept the hot water bottle on my stomach. "By the way," She said, after a while. "Avery says he hopes you get better soon."

"Does he?" I murmured. "That's nice. Did you tell him I was sick?"

She laughed. "No, he obviously approached me, wondering where the hell you were. He was real worried, too, and when I said you were sick, he was all 'Are you sure?' Yes, I was obviously sure that my best friend was sick, rather than mitching or something."

"I wonder why he was worried.." I said, placing a square of chocolate into my mouth. 

"Why do you think! Maybe he liiiikes you!" Madi said, jumping up. 

"Nope, he can barely stand me, Mads," I said, rolling my eyes. "I don't think he's suddenly decided he loves me, especially since he ignored me for two years." I'd never found out why, but I'd been friendless for nearly a year, until I started high school and met Madi. I wasn't sure if I'd ever really trust him again, because being lonely when you're barely fourteen is bad. 

"Right, okay. By the way, if you're up to it, which you better be, we're going to a party tomorrow," She said nonchalantly. I leapt up. 

"What? Who's party?"

"Crystal's."

"Who the hell is Crystal?"

"She's a senior."

I paused. "How did we get ourselves invited to a senior party?"

"Because," Madi flicked her hair. "I'm pretty and popular, in case you haven't realised. And also, I tend to flirt with as many senior guys as possible, and sometimes they react."

I giggled. "Thanks, but I'm not sure if I'll go.." I could imagine me standing awkwardly in the corner sipping alcohol, trying not to get drunk while Madi made out with some hot guy in the corner.

"You must!" She said, desperately. "I said I'd bring you, and I'm not going alone! Imagine, being the only junior there! Besides, the guys were really interested when I mentioned you, so you might be getting more attention than you think."

"They were probably interested in me because I slapped their classmate across the face, not because I'm ridiculously attractive."

She winked. "Or a mix of both."

--

"It's Friday," Avery said. 

"Well done," I replied. "It is apparent school has taught you some things."

"No, I mean nobody has been kidnapped, and it's already a week since Lucy was found."

I couldn't help it, I flinched at her name. When anyone mentioned it, I had this image of her scarred face, her eyes wide open, and her mouth gasping for air, her last word lingering in the air, a desperate cry for help.