Truths Unravel

Chapter #3

In the cafeteria, at lunch, I sit at a table near the corner, away from everybody else. It's beside a window, that overlooks the field of flowers by our school. I always have to pass by the loudest group of kids, also known as the "popular bunch." This time, when I pass by them, I hear them mimicking Mr. Hargton from todays class.

"As you should know, we have established a world of living from these people," mimics Noah, one of the biggest jocks in Alcity High, and also the captain of, basically, every sports team.

"Mr. Hargton really needs a life. Like, seriously, history is not fun and exciting, like he says it is." This time Soraya says this. Soraya Fleiss, one of the biggest bullies in this school. She somehow knows everything about a person; it's a bit creepy, to be honest. Also, she's the one who's trying to get me away from Emory. She believes coloured people are born slaves for us. I hate her so much, and Emory does, too. Anyways, Soraya is treated like a queen around here; people like her grey eyes, how her eyebrows are always on point, her perfect, pink lips, her skinny body, and her short black hair. Everybody knows not to mess with her, or else you're in a load of trouble; your life will come crashing down. Once, a girl named Camila, told Soraya that she had a pointy nose, and Soraya was all red in the face. Soraya made rumors about Camila after that. Camila was so embarrassed that she left this school.

"Oh, wait, Zalia sit here." Soraya calls out to me and pats the empty, blue seat beside her. I'm about to bark something rude to her, but I stop, and calmly say, "Um, no. Emory is waiting."

I get a quick glance of Soraya rolling her eyes, and then gossiping about Emory, "Ugh, that Emory girl again. Why doesn't Zalia see how ugly and boring Emory is."

I'm about to yell at her, but someone pulls me away from them, just as I was about to open my mouth. It was Emory, of course. She looks sort of down, and I know why; she heard what Soraya said. I feel so sorry for her right now, and whisper to her, "It's fine, Emory. Soraya is just insecure; you are not any of the things she says about you." I add a smile to make it better.

"Who says I was sad about anything? You, Zalia, need to stop acting sorry for me all the time. It's sort of annoying now." Emory hides her emotions right now, and I don't try to make her talk about them, either.

I look around the cafeteria; I notice that the walls are freshly painted blue again, and that blue and white ribbons and balloons are up for the big basketball game this Friday. As usual, I won't attend the game, since I'm not really into sports and Isaac will kill me for coming home late. I look around more to find new changes to the school, and I notice that my parents pictures are up on the wall, and underneath them it reads, "Missing. Call if new information is found." I just remember that I should get Emory to help tonight with the investigation. Isaac is hosting a party and he wouldn't notice that anyone is up in my room. Emory would just slip in with the rest of the guests. I look to Emory and announce, "Emory, come to my house tonight; the investigation needs help."

"Ok, I'll slip in with Isaac's drunk friends. He wouldn't notice me coming in." Emory takes a bite out of her veggie pizza as she finishes saying this. Emory has sneaked into my house so many times, it's like second nature to her. She knows how aggressive Isaac gets when I want friends over, so instead, she sneaks in, and nobody gets to hear Isaac's obnoxious yelling.

The bell rings and we part ways for next period. I'm looking forward to working on the case; I feel like I'm going to find the truth. I get to class, and while I do that, I feel weird; like there's a strange presence inside me.