Falling For The Suspect ✔️

Chapter 9 ~ Sage

SAGE'S POV

I groan as my persistent alarm clock goes off for the third time this morning. I finally will myself to open my eyes but immediately regret doing so as soon as I see the bright light flooding through my windows. How I hate Mondays!

I slowly get up and make my way to my bathroom. The perks of being an only child. I shudder as the cold water from the tap makes contact with my face. Why can't the weekend be three days instead of two? Feeling too lazy to do anything special with my hair, I decide to just go with a messy bun.

I quickly put my uniform on and head towards the kitchen. There sits my father at the table looking like the definition of tired. As I get closer I can clearly make out the exhaustion present on his face. The case is clearly taking a toll on him. I don't think he has ever dealt with such a bizarre mystery before. Usually, when someone goes missing there's normally a few little clues left over but it's as if Brett Reed has disappeared off the face of the Earth entirely. Maybe Aliens do exist.

He looks up as I approach, giving me a strained smile. "Good morning."

"Morning Dad," I say, leaning down and giving him a kiss on the forehead. "What's on the agenda today?"

"Well I'll be coming to school today," he says.

"Again?" I ask, referring to the past Friday, the last thing I want is my dad constantly being at my school. It's bad enough being the new kid as it is.

"Yes, we are going to interview some more students. Try and get some more information on who Brett really was. I mean is," he says sighing.

I nod and turn on the television to catch the morning news. The screen immediately flashes to a middle-aged woman and man. The lady has blonde hair and looks very distressed. The man, on the other hand, seems angry.

"Brett's parents," my dad says. I quickly grab the remote and turn the volume up.

"We just want him home," Mrs Reed pleas. "If anyone has any information, don't hold back. Say something before it's too late," and with that she bursts into tears, turning away from the camera recording her. 

"Whoever took Brett will pay," the man concludes before dragging his wife away.

I turn to look at my father whose attention is captivated by the TV. 

"Do they know anything about who might have something to do with it?" I ask.

"Mr Reed put forward one name," he responds, running a hand through his hair.

"Chase Rivers?" I ask, trying to hide my interest. 

My dad immediately looks at me, "How do you know that?" He demands.

"Oh, I just figured because he was at the police station the day I went in to give you the file you forgot," I say nonchalantly. 

He nods and sits down again, "How do you know him?"

"School," I say.

I look at the time and almost faint. School starts in 13 minutes. I guess I'm taking the car again. I quickly grab a banana and my school bag and head for the door. I call out a quick goodbye to my dad and get in the car.

I spend the drive to school pondering how I could help my dad out with the case. I mean surely there is something I could do. He always seems worried and stressed lately. 

I look around the school parking lot for a park. I notice the place where I parked in on Friday is vacant and quickly make my way towards it.

Just as I'm getting ready to turn into it, a car coming from the opposite direction takes it. I let out a frustrated sigh. It was clearly mine first. I watch as the thief hops out of his car and nearly choke when I see who it is. The annoyingly handsome Chase. He turns towards me, a smirk plastered on his face. I roll my eyes at him and continue driving.