School

Chapter Three: Gone

By now it's late May. I've talked to just about every reporter out there, every magazine and newspaper has my face on the front cover. I grab my phone and dial Camry's number, no answer. I call her again, no answer. I leave a message telling her to call me back when she gets the chance and to see if she was free this weekend. I head into the bathroom and grab my makeup bag and apply some mascara and eyeliner, nothing fancy. I grab my purse and hop into my car.

I head down Dreamer Street and stop at the gas station to fill up my car. As I pump the gas I see Julia. "Hey what's up" I say as I walk in to pay for my gas. "Umm.. now isn't the best time to talk I have to go to the hospital, my grandma fell and broke her hip." "Oh ok we'll tell her that I said for her to get well soon." I watch her quickly walk over to her car and I see another person in the back seat. She pulled out of the station and I saw Jessa,her sister sitting with her.

I continued inside and paid for my gas as well as buying a bottle of MountainDew. I went back to my car and flipped down the visor. I grabbed my BabyLips lipgloss and applied it while looking at my mirror. I sat there for a while scanning my car and decided it needed a clean. I picked up at least three empty pop bottles as well as; miscellaneous wrappers, cups, and loose change. I pop my trunk and grab my handheld vacuum to suck up all the crumbs.

Once I got home I set my bag on the shelf by the door and headed upstairs to the kitchen. I open up the fridge and grab a Ziplock bag full of grapes. I popped them into my mouth on the way to the living room and plopped down on the couch. I turned on the tv and as soon as I changed to Food network my brother Jake runs up the stairs. "Turn on Turtles!" "No I'm watching tv!" "I'm telling mom!" "Fine!" He quickly stormed upstairs to my parent's room.

I change it to Cartoon Network and grab my phone. I go into my room and lay on my bed. I check my voicemail and messages but both were empty. I try and call Camry but she still won't answer. I text her a couple times and hope for the best.

Out of nowhere my mom calls me down. There was a police officer sitting on my couch talking to my sister. "You must be Charlotte, I'm officer Dixon, we need to ask you a few questions." "Oh, ok um go ahead." "Do you know who this is?" He held up a photo of Camry "of course that's my best friend Camry!" " she has been reported missing as of yesterday do you have any idea why she would run away?" "No clue is she okay?" "We have evidence of matches surrounding the school as well as a couple of lighters, we think she ran because she started the fire." This was to much to handle, I had a thousand thoughts running through my head. Was she alright, did she really start the fire, why would she run?

After some minor questions the officer left. I look over at my mom who just stares at the picture of me and Camry. "Mom, you don't believe she actually did this do you?" "Hone-" I cut her off "mom you know she wouldn't do anything like this! You know it!" I said fighting back tears. "I'm sorry but everything matches up." She said blankly "fine if you don't believe me then I'll prove it." I ran outside and quickly got into my car and drove to the police station.

I got out of my car and rushed inside. "Charlotte news already?" asked officer Dixon as he picked up some paperwork. "No, I want to help in the investigation." "I'm so-" "No, I want to help, I know the most about Camry and I also know my way around the school well I did." He contemplated this for a moment "I'm not allowed to let you do this, but if your parents are alright with it I will try to let you help." I quickly grabbed my phone and started scrolling through my contacts. "You need their signature, otherwise there is no proof." he said. I clicked on my mom's number and told her what the officer said.

She came over to sign the paper and asked a few questions. After about ten minutes, all of her questions finally being over with, she agreed to sign the document. "Thank you, she can start tomorrow." He said and shook hands with both of us before we turn and leave.

"Why do you all of a sudden want to help with this, if she didn't do it they will find her innocent." My mother stated blankly. "I don't know it just doesn't feel right." We got in our cars and headed home. I followed my mother all the way there and pulled in just behind her. I stood up and walked into my house when she grabbed my right arm.

"If it is her and you know it, you cant defend her." I stared at her, why would she say that?

I thought to myself. I walked to the house but faster this time. I just wanted to be alone and think this through. I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling. So many questions, why do things like this have to happen?

Through a mixture of crying in my pillow and yelling at myself for not being there with her I finally got out of my bed. Right in front of my door was a note from my mom it read;

Dear Lottie,

Sweetly, I know it's hard but we can get through this. I want you to know that I am always here and so is your father. I didn't think Camry would do this at all I'm just as surprised as you. I felt like she was my daughter just as much as you felt she was like a sister. I hope that is not why she ran but if it is she has to have consequences. I'm sorry but that's how it goes if you kill a thousand people. I know how you feel, so I called a therapist and you start next month.

Love,

Mom

Great, I thought to myself. A councillor just what I needed a waste of my time to prove Camry's innocence. I need to find her. Time is of the essence but now my mom is taking that precious time away from me. Just to say the school burnt down and my friend ran! No, I don't think so. I lay back in my bed thinking once more. I look at my clock and it is 9:30. The boys are going to be asleep soon, at least their fighting won't be shattering my eardrums anymore. I grab my phone and look through my messages, nothing still. I decide to try to text her for anything that could help the investigation.

I look back at the clock 10:00, I decide to get up and go to the bathroom. What the heck do they think a councillor is going to help with. It's just going to make it harder! I go back into my room and grab my Pink duffle bag and shove five pairs of jeans, seven shirts, two pairs of shorts and a sweat shirt. I go into the kitchen and grab a cooler from our pantry filling it up with soda, water, fruits, and other food items. I snatch up my purse and start my car.

I sit in my driveway for a while but then I back out fast. I sped off my street and headed towards Helensville. I can't see straight from the tears flooding my eyes and slowly dripping down my face. I keep driving until I reach a small motel. I pull into the office's parking lot and walk inside. I am met by a strong smell of gingerbread candles as well as cinnamon candies.

I head over to the desk and ring the service bell. A young man who looks a year or so older than I am came out and greeted me with a warm smile. "May I help you?" "Um.. Yeah a uh.. Room for one please, and um.. Yeah....." I trailed off I didn't want to explain I just wanted some sleep. "Okay. Do you want a regular or deluxe suite?" "Um regular is fine." "Okay that will be ten dollars per night." for that price I could practically live here! "Um actually, can I upgrade to deluxe please?" "Sure let me just change your room number and your bill." I watch him as he re-entered my bill. He gave me a key and told me my room number. "Your name please." He asked "Charlotte, Charlotte Harte." He turned around and typed my name into the computer and shook my hand.

I step into the cold night once more to get back into my car. I drove past the office building back where the rooms were. I drove slowly looking closely at the rooms trying to see the numbers. After about five minutes or so I pulled up to my room. I pulled into the garage, he had given me the button, and gathered my bags and went inside. Inside it was nice. Right by the door was a closet with dark, wooden doors. There was a small bathroom on the other side and a kitchen behind that. There was a wall going about half of the way to the left of the room separating the kitchen from the bed area. There was a king sized bed with clean whit sheets and white pillows. Next to the bed was an end table with a light, alarm clock, and a phone. Across from the bed was a dresser and a tv.

I hung my clothes, that were wrinkled from being shoved in my duffle bag, in the closet and folded up my pants to put them in the dresser. I hopped onto the bed and went under the covers. I looked at my phone but no one sent anything. I gazed over at the clock and it was almost midnight. I put my phone down on the nightstand. I rolled over and fell into a deep sleep.