The Absolutely Insane Life of a Completely Normal (not really) Girl

I tried to tell her...

 ..., but she wasn't at rehearsal. It was strange. Sure, I haven't heard from her since last rehearsal, but I thought at the very least her mom would have told my mom that she wasn't coming. They're as close as we are! (Minus, you know, the possibly liking each other thing.) I double checked the schedule just to make sure Katie had to be here today. She did.

"Hey, Lydia. Have you heard from Katie?" Jane asked. I'm gonna be honest... I might have jumped three feet in the air and screamed like a little girl. I was so lost in thought trying to find Katie that I didn't even notice Jane walked up next to me. It didn't help that she started laughing like a hyena.

"Shut up," I shouted, "And to answer your question. No. I haven't."

Jane immediately stopped laughing and looked at me with a combination of fear and worry. I could tell that I wasn't going to like what she had to say.

"Oh dear," Jane replied, "Ummm... okay... so there was one rehearsal where my dad had to be there and I didn't, but I came anyway. So... Katie and Ash were there, and they were on break... and... well..."

"Spit it out, Jane," I said. She has this really bad habit of taking forever to explain bad news.

"I might have told them about Uston," she finished slowly. I face palmed myself so hard that my hand was red.

"Did they take it well?" I asked. I really didn't want to have to use the memory stick on my best friend, but if push comes to shove...

"Yes, they did! And don't worry, I didn't tell them about you yet. I just really needed to check up on them and make sure that they aren't going to tell anyone. I already talked to Ash, but I can't find Katie...," Jane explained rapid-fire.

"Maybe she's just sick. I'll call her tomorrow and see. And I'll double check on how she feels about... that," I said, even though I knew full well that Katie wouldn't tell a soul (living or dead).

"How Katie feels about what?" Maria asked as she walked up to us.

"Well... you see... the thing is...," Jane started.

"Jane told Katie and Ash about Uston at a rehearsal we weren't at and now she's worried because she can't find Katie and wants to make sure that Katie isn't going to tell anyone," I explained.

"Thank you," Maria said. She knew better than anyone how much Jane could stall, "Jane relax. She's probably just sick. And Lydia can always call her."

"I said the exact same thing," I replied through a wave of laughter.

"I guess you're right," Jane said, "Let's go find Trust Squad."

The rest of the night went about as normal as you'd expect. Which is not very. Jane had to do some queenly duties in the middle of rehearsal, and Maria, Ash, Sophia, and I had to cover up for her. At least it was during a break.

As the night went on, I had two feelings swirling around in my mind. One was worry. I felt like what I had to tell Katie was too important to tell her on the phone, but I wanted to tell her soon. I felt like my feelings for Katie were like a ticking time bomb inside my chest, and if I didn't tell her soon my heart would explode. The other was... it's hard to describe. It was as if there was a sense of impending doom looming over me. It's not like Katie to not call me. Normally she would at least once a week, sometimes more if she's bored. And now she doesn't show up for rehearsal? There's something... off about it.

I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. But still, that feeling lingered over me the rest of night, and was one of the last things I thought about before going to bed that night. The other was: I really hope that Katie's okay.