Friend or Foe

10/1/17

10/1/17-

Dear Reader,

I'm a little bit concerned right now. My parents told me not to worry, but something seems wrong. Since no one seems to want to listen to me, I've decided to write this journal. I hope that someday it will help further investigations.

You see, it all started Friday, during my first period Biology class. My teacher, Miss Beryl, took attendance at the start of class, and she noticed that my friend Sarah wasn't at school today. Which seemed a little strange, but not too strange. She has slept in a little too late for school before, so I assumed she would be back later in the day. I stared off into space like usual, drowning out another boring lecture on mitochondria, daydreaming about the new camera that I had ordered last week (which still hasn't come in).

A couple periods later, in my photography class, I waited to see if Sarah would show up. After all, it was almost noon. There was no way she was still sleeping. She still wasn't here, but I didn't want to assume the worst just yet. So on the way to lunch, I tried calling her phone a couple times. Every time I called her, it went straight to voicemail.

"What's wrong?" My friend KJ asked as he set his lunch tray down. "Trouble in paradise?" I kicked him lightly in the shin. Sure, I had feelings for Sarah, but that wasn't what this was all about.

"Is Sarah on a field trip or something? I haven't seen her all day, and she isn't answering her phone." I inquired.

"I don't think so," KJ guessed, "but don't worry about her, Saul. I'm sure nothing's wrong. Maybe she's just sick."

"I hope not. She's already missed enough class! She's gonna fall behind!" I exclaimed.

"Dude, she's fine." KJ sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

I pulled out my hair pick and began to pick my afro, wanting anything to do that might calm my nerves.

"You have got to get over her!" KJ scolded, his tan face full of concern.

"Why, KJ? It's not like she's got a boyfriend," I shot back, even though I knew the reason why.

"Because you know she's not into you! She's got a crush on Brad. She's mentioned it so many times! Hell, her notebooks are covered with his name and everything!" KJ shook his head as he said this.

Brad. Oh how I hate Brad, with his perfect blonde hair and his tan, muscular physique. Brad the superstar senior, who is beloved by everyone in our small rural Ohio town. Of course Sarah fell for him. I think KJ and I are the only ones who haven't. Even my parents love Brad. At least I'm not spending my highschool years running around on a football field, relying on the unlikely chance that I get a full ride to some school to go kick a ball on a field. I'm going to be doing something that will actually be worth it in the end; Programming computer programs. But I suppose I'm getting off topic now.

"Yeah, but you're assuming that this concern of mine stems from that crush. It's not. I'm merely concerned as a friend," I replied through sips of water.

"Well, as your friend, I'm telling you not to worry. She's fine. Now eat your sandwich."

"I'm not feeling it," I sighed. I pulled out my phone and texted Sarah's mom.

'Is Sarah ok? I haven't seen her at school today.'

"You're texting her mom, aren't you?" KJ glared. This is the one downside to having been friends with someone your whole life; they know you too well.

'I think so, yeah. Is she skipping again?' Her mom replied back.

"You're texting her mom!" KJ gasped, "What kinda weird kid texts their friends mom?"

"The good kind."

'I don't know. I thought maybe she was sick,' I texted back to her mom.

KJ reached over the table, grasping for my phone. I slapped his hand away and turned my back to the table.

'I don't think so. She never asked me to call the school.' Her mom replied.

"Gimme that!" KJ commanded, wrestling me for my phone.

'Well, let me know if she's ok,' I managed to reply before KJ grabbed my phone.

"Give it back!" I fumed, lunging towards KJ in the hopes of recovering my phone.

"Only if you promise to stop worrying about Sarah."

"Ok, I'll stop worrying about Sarah," I lied, my eyebrow twitching a little, "Now give me my damn phone."

"I know you're lying Saul. Your eyebrow is twitching."

"Fine!" I groaned exasperatedly, "I promise I won't worry about Sarah."

KJ pulled up the Bible app on my phone and showed it to me, "Swear on the Bible?" He teased.

"Give me that," I glared, finally managing to snatch the phone from his clutch.

At this point, the bell rang, and KJ and I began to slowly meander towards our classrooms.

"You know I only do this because I care about you," KJ teased. I rolled my eyes.

"I know KJ, I know," I laughed.

And so we parted ways. But the rest of the day that feeling of concern lurked in the back of my mind. So after school, I went straight to Sarah's house. I knew her parents wouldn't be home, so I used the spare key hidden on top of the door frame and headed inside her house.

Ok, so I know that sounds a little weird, that I know so much about Sarah's schedule and her house and all, but you have to understand, I've known Sarah since I was little. Of course I know stuff like when her parents might be home, or where they keep the spare key. It would be a little weird if I didn't.

"Sarah? Are you home?" I shouted. I heard a barking noise coming from outside, which was odd. Sprinkles, their little tan short haired chihuahua, was never outside, except when Sarah was walking her.

"You sick?" I shouted, heading towards her room. I could still only hear Sprinkles' shrill barks, which was concerning.

I knocked on her door, and waited for a few moments. Still nothing. Praying that she wouldn't get too mad, I cautiously opened her door. She wasn't inside. Which was creepy. Very creepy.

Sprinkles' loud yaps reminded me that she was still outside. I decided to let the poor puppy inside. So I closed the door to Sarah's room, and headed towards the door to the yard. Staring through the sliding glass door, I noticed something peculiar. Sprinkles still had his leash on. Had Sarah been getting ready to take Sprinkles for a walk when something happened to her? I pondered this as Sprinkles licked my face.

I gave Sprinkles some food and water, then headed home. I told about Mom everything that happened, but she merely gave me a concerned look, and told me not to worry about it. I then lied to her, saying I had some homework to finish, and came here to write all of this down. I don't know what's happened to Sarah, but I don't think it's something good. But I guess I've done all I can for now. Hopefully her parents realize she's gone and call the police. Until then, I guess I'll just have to sit, wait, and pray.

Sincerely,

Saul Jones.