Keepsake

Chapter 9

Marcus Evers

Throughout the whole work day, I was anticipating going to school and having to see Alysia eventually. And she was bound to ask a hundred questions before the day was out. I couldn't hide from her forever, but she just didn't understand what crap was going through my mind right now. And after our argument yesterday, I felt that I needed to apologize. There was just so much I had to say. I knew I didn't blow it and if I could get Alysia alone, I could explain it clearly so she'd get it. But still, feelings for her clung on to me and with every attempt at burying them and erasing them, I still cared for Alysia. I just didn't know how to stop it.

I finally decided to suck it up and pick Alysia up after work from the library. The drive from there to school could be used for me to tell her what happen. The least I could do is try to make it right.

I pull up to the library and see that Alysia isn't outside. I go in and speak to an employee thinking that maybe she'd been picked up already by someone else. Not so fortunate. Alysia didn't show up for work.

The drive to school was twisting my stomach in a knot. "I'll definitely find her by break time and then approach her," I tell myself. But that hope doesn't last. When break time comes, Alysia is nowhere in sight. I check with Mike thinking he might know where she is. Then I find Joanne and Sarah, but they say they haven't seen her.

I'd gone and done it now. Alysia, I imagined, was home in tears because I'd hurt her. We had gotten so close with all of the talks, dates, and nearly . . . other stuff that it broke her heart. But was she really so deep into our relationship that she'd broken down so badly?

Maybe it was the idea that she and I came close to . . . I push the thought aside. But now I'd hurt her by throwing her out of my parents house. I had sent her away and now feeling regretful.

The next day, it was the same thing. After work I went to the library to see if Alysia had worked. It turns out she did, but was picked up by her mother. Maybe she would be at school today. But she proved to be a no show, again. I guess she really didn't want to see me just yet.

By this time, Joanne and Sarah were asking questions about where Alysia is and what happen to her. I couldn't say anything. They spent most of the break talking amongst themselves trying to piece together what happen and what could've happened. Texts were sent and messages were left on voicemails, but no one could find Alysia.

No one except Linda. She'd been so silent on this discussion during the break that I noticed it. Whenever someone guessed why Alysia was missing days, Linda completely stayed out of it. If the subject changed, she'd say a few words, and a few words from Linda was not normal behavior. Talkative, yes. Few words. Not by a long shot.

Linda and Alysia were close. She would have to know something.

After eating, our group split up and everyone started reporting to their classes. I followed behind Linda until it was clear.

"Linda."

She turns around quickly at the sound of my voice. "Marcus? What are you doing following me?"

I kept my breathing balanced. "I just wanted to ask you something. Have you heard anything about Alysia? She hasn't shown up for a couple of days and I was worried about her."

Linda stumbles on words. "Alysia? Yeah, she's fine. She's just been doing stuff, you know?"

I study her eyes and know that she knew more. The best I could do was pass her a message. "Well, if you happen to see her, could you tell her that I was looking for her? I just wanted to apologize for what I said to her the last time we spoke."