On The Moon

Chapter three- I Need to Understand for Both Our Sakes.

[Ryan]

"I'll see you around Ryan"

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Those five words have been playing over and over in my mind. I just kept thinking about school. Wondering if Lena would be in was the only thought on my mind. I gave up on the idea of going straight to school. It was about 6:30. walking usually helps me clear my mind but this thought was here to stay. At least until I get some answers.

Arriving an hour early to school would cost me major popularity points but I couldn't care less. I got dressed into something more school-worthy, shoved my books in my bag and grabbed an apple for lunch. The sun was starting to peek out over the houses. Each house casting a protective shadow over the small front gardens. The town looked as if time itself had stopped, no on was up let alone outside. When I arrived at school the gate wasn't open yet. Luckily I didn't have to wait long before a car pulled up. The person in the driver's seat didn't get out right away. They stopped and stared out the tinted windows. I looked around for a second and then realised that the person was staring at me.

With a loud click and a shuffle the person opened the door of the car. It was Mrs Garston, the school principal. She paused for a moment while still staring at me.

"Mister Dawson. Your here early." she spoke with care considering the incident that had happed earlier that week.

" So are you Mrs" I retorted. She ignored my rudeness and opened the gate.

The halls were vacant. Each step I took echoed throughout the dead school. The only other person was an old school janitor who was sweeping the crumpled up pages laying on the floor. Finally the sound of laughing teenagers slowly filled the hall as people arrived at school. I stood by my locker watching each and every one of them walk by me. Not one of them was Lena. As the morning went on I kept looking out for her. It was clear she wasn't coming in.

Even though I tried to stop them the words kept getting louder and louder in my head. It got so bad that I gave up fighting against them and the hours slowly rolled by.

" Ryan?!?" Anthony's voice suddenly jolted me from my thoughts.

" What?"

" I asked if you had your homework, quick I need it Miss Fallon is checking it."

" Sorry man I didn't do it." I could see in his eyes he was confused.

It turned out he was right, she was checking. We got in trouble because it was the third time in a row that we hadn't our homework completed for her class. After the lecture from the teacher which lasted the rest of the class, it was time for lunch. I re-scanned the hallway for any sign of Lena but there was still none. I was about to turn and go outside when I caught a glimpse of a girl with long brown hair that had a green bow in it. I had seen her hang around with Lena before. Abandoning Anthony I walked towards her locker where she was standing.

"Hi" she looked up and raised her eyebrows.

" You're Ryan!"

Taken aback by the sound of shock in her voice I paused for a second.

"Yes I am Ryan... and you are?"

"Oh sorry. I'm Isabella."

"Oh okay, well hi. Isabella. I've seen you with Lena a few times and I was wondering if you knew where she was these past days?" I smiled to reassure her.

" She isn't coming in for a while. She needs time."

What could she need time for? She's a straight "A" student who never missed a day. Well for as long as I could remember anyway. I realised I must have shown signs of confusion because Isabella had stooped what she was doing.

Slowly she took my arm and led me out the door of the school.As we rounded the corner I could hear her sigh as if she as done this many times before and has gotten bored of it.

"Ok. I know this may seem strange to you considering your past reputations but not everyone can keep in their feelings as if nothing was wrong."

She said this with such a serious tone I began to worry.

" Why? Where is Lena?"

" Today is her dad's birthday. It's the most important date in her life."

At that moment her phone dings. She checks it and immediately replays. I knew it had to be Lena. Everybody els would be at school talking to each other.

" I need to know, Isabella. I need to understand for both our sakes. "

I tried to convince her to tell me more but she wouldn't speak. Her eyes began to water and she took a few deep breaths.

" I'm sorry Ryan but this is not my business to tell people."

Then she ran. Back inside the school. Back to her friends. Away from the truth.

Away from me.