--Six time award winning novel by June D. Silver-
"Hidden truths are unspoken lies"
As a straight A student, Finnley never got himself into trouble. He goes to school, runs track, hangs out with his two best friends Cristian and Emma and studies; a...
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– 2 months before the disappearance –
I'm currently at the mall, outside of the book store, waiting for Finnley to decide on what book to buy. He's taking longer than ever; mostly because he already has plenty of books. I'm kind of bored, having to wait out here by myself, while I watch Emma saunter behind Finnley, talking to him animatedly.
Every so often, she picks out a book and shows it to him, all the while getting the same answer; read it already.
"Finn!" I call out. "Just accept the fact you've read them all."
"I haven't. I just can't decide on what genre I want."
"Next time, decide before making me wait out here until I'm sixty years old."
He chuckles and shrugs. "I'll hurry a bit. I guess you're hungry."
"Yeah, kind of. There's a burger with my name on it waiting at Maccy D."
Finnley rolls his eyes in response, before going back to searching the bookshelves for a book he likes enough.
It takes him another 10 minutes before he comes out empty handed.
"I'll order one online or whatever." He shrugs. "Let's feed that little hungry monster inside you." He prods my growling stomach, making Emma giggle while I grin.
We walk towards the McDonald's, even though Finnley and Emma both don't like to eat fast food. They just love me enough to every so often tag along with me.
"So, how's school going?" Emma skips beside Finnley, cheerful as ever.
"Fine." He shrugs. "Stressful as ever. But still good grades."
"Are you available for tutoring me in French again this weekend?"
"I'm still really busy Em." He sighs deeply, sending her a forced smile. "You know I'm busy."
"You've been busy for the past two months." She whines. "Finny, you promised to help me."
"I will, but I have a lot to do myself. Maybe next week during free period."
"I thought we could study at your place again."
"Eh, no." He shakes his head. "My mom's a bit stressed over work and she wouldn't allow it."
"But Cris is allowed to come over." She stops skipping, or walking, or moving in general, making me bump into her since I fell a little behind, amused by Finnley's not so tactical way of turning Emma down yet again. They've been acting weird around each other since a while. Finnley avoiding her a little more, while Emma seems more hopeful then ever he might really be interested in her. But she's still dating Jacob so I'm a bit confused about her current attempts to get some alone time with him. I know they went on a date, or at least Finnley's mom told me. But neither one has told me anything.
