Black.

August 18

The basketball game was about to be held between MBS and Logsworth School. The players were prepping up with their regular routine of stretching, showing all the masculinity they could. Some of the boys focused on flirting with the cheerleaders rather than putting their heads in winning.

The school bell rang and the sound of shoes barging in the basketball court concealed the atmosphere. Paige, Shawn, Charles and Sara tried to take the seats as soon as possible for the situation being a bit in chaos.

"Watch out you arse." Sara stormed out at a boy who was deliberately pushing after their line. He did not seem to listen to her and left seeing his friends.

"Guys, look at this pleasing view of short skirts." Charles exclamation was truly taken into consideration by his girlfriend who felt contumelious as she was wearing a skirt herself. She replied, "Excuse me boyfriend?"

"Babe. You are the hottest of all. I was just trying to make a conversation."

"Oh yeah. Conversation." Shawn said without making a snitch.

"Shut up faggots," and now she was enraged whilst looking at Charles, said, "I will see you after the game."

Everybody was sitted and the game begun. Flyers, coke cans, popcorn, banners, etc. were more visible than the people on bleachers cheering for their players.

"Oh my! Look at Fred you guys. He is coming right on our stands." All of them four looked as directed by Sara.

Fred Michaels was the reporter of MBS. Dark skin shining under the lights with little muscle on body. Hair black and crisp but yet so smooth to feel. He took a seat right next to Charles in his jumpers, tee and a jacket. His camera (pretty expensive) was hanging by his neck.

He took some shots of the court and turned to the them. "Hey guys. How's everything going?"

"Why are you really here Michaels? You come around when there is a problem or an issue you are investigating for that stupid newspaper of yours," Charles said without tilting his head and looking straight, "Go ahead."

"I have a news on April's case."

They all now paid attention to Fred.

"Well, you know my father is in the police department. Last night a detective came by our house with some tape which they watched on my father's computer. I wasn't able to hear what was on the tape but that detective took April's name and that's when my curiosity rushed in."

A six-four displayed on the scoreboard.

"Fast forward, please?" Paige finally spoke.

"I sneaked in the office later in the night and the video tape was a security footage of April running near a motel's exit covering her face with a scarf. The time was around eleven pm."

"That's it?" Sara asked.

"Yes. What do you think I am? I gave you all the information I had."

"Are you sure Fred? The footage showed only that much?" Shawn developed creases on his head.

"Yes."

The conversation ended the same time as the game, with Paige ignoring everyone, and Sara and Charles anticipating. But Shawn was now upto something unusual. His emotions were quite a bit piquant as if he had tasted bile.

It was five in the evening as the students were leaving for their homes. Sad, as their school has lost the first game of the season.

"Hey! Paige. Want a ride?" Shawn asked her as she didn't bring her car to school today. She smiled and walked towards him.

"Sure I do."

"Hop in."

He drove her to the small locality she lived in. Filled with trees alongside, the roads were narrow. Houses made of wood and totally different from the rich area where April and the others live. They stopped infront a white painted house having a small garden before the porch.

"You wanna come inside?" she asked, "Mom must be baking lemon cake for tonight. We could chat a little bit too. What do you say?"

"You got me on cake." Shawn laughed and locked his car.

Both stepped inside the main door hearing the bustle of her brother Larry and her mother quarreling over a television show.

"Hey Shawn. How are you? Long time no see honey." Samantha asked.

"Hello Mrs. Tanner, I am just like as I was. But Larry, Oh! That show is really bad," he replied looking at the ten year old boy. Larry rolled his eyes and went upstairs.

"Don't mind him. Let's go to my room. Come on." Paige called him up.

They stepped up one after another, each having a little smile increasing sidewise in a pace of seconds. Paige's room didn't have much. Panelled wood door with a stop signboard, floor was wooden too with a tarnish shine; rustic. Walls spoke a completely different story about her having numerous paintings and sketches she made in past years. Her bed was placed beside the window and alongside, a long mirror over her dressing table, pictures of her group and lights hanging from above binded around a string of wire.

"I see you added a new sketch in your collection." Shawn smirked.

"Yeah... wait up! I'm going to bring us some water." She left downstairs.

He sat on bed and looked at the books placed on her dresser. His finger searched through mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc and suddenly wrinkles developed on his head. For he has found April's journal. He wondered,"What are you doing with Paige?"

"Hey!" she returned, "Here's your glass of water." And sat beside him.

He looked at her like nothing happened. "Do you miss her?"

"What do you mean? You know I do."

"Did you visit her family?"

"Uh! Yes, I did the day after she disappeared."

"Her disappearance is making me wanting to know her more. Is it happening to you too?"

"No. I mean I knew everything already."

"I always envied her journal she kept. She was so into it. When we were together, we even fought once over it. But, she won every argument," he narrowed his eyes to his hands,"were you ever lucky to read it?"

Paige's nose twitched at the question and she fumbled. "Wh...what? No. Never. You know sh...she was so overprotective."

This was the second moment where his mind was puzzled. She was lying. Paige was lying. He stood up, "I gotta go. Mom asked me to come home early and I totally forgot."

"What about dinner?" Questioned Paige.

"I will come by later." with a fainted smile he left, "Goodnight."