Vanished

Chapter 1

I open the door to two police officers with solemn faces and my heart drops. My mind is racing with everything that look could mean, but I know the inevitable has most likely come to pass. As the first police officer who seems a little more serious begins to speak, it's like the ringing that's been in my ears becomes unbearable. All I hear before I tune him out is "Ma'am, I'm sorry" and that's all it takes for my head to spin and the world to turn black.

6 months prior

It's the middle of the school year on a Monday morning. Bailee is in her Junior year of high school and is starting her first job today.

Bailee's POV

"Bailee wait up!" I hear yelled down the corridor.

"Oh, hey Josh" I smile at him as we walk side by side through the hallway.

"You think you're ready for the test today in Mr. Shacks class?" Josh asked while stopping at my locker with me.

Crap I forgot all about that test! He's one of the Strictest teachers at Lake Wood High. He yelled at a student one time for coughing during a test because he swore he heard him giving the student next to him the answers through Morse code.

"Shit! No, I forgot about it! Today's my first day at Buckley's and I'm really nervous." I exclaim while taking books out of my locker.

"Why are you nervous?" Josh asked in his usual soft-spoken way. "You love Buckley's, you are practically family to Marco and Jan."

I sigh, "I know, I just don't want to mess up. What if I give someone the wrong order? Or I trip and break all the cups I'm holding?! Or-"

*Bell rings signaling the beginning of first period and the end of my incessant worrying*

"B, you'll do great. I got to get to first period, but I'll see you in Shacks class. And don't worry, I'll let you use my notes at lunch, so you don't fail" Josh says with a big smile on his face.

"Thank you! You're a lifesaver Josh!" I say with a mix of gratitude and relief, pulling him in for a giant bear hug.

"Your welcome. Love you girl!" Josh says with laughter in his voice, beginning to walk away.

"Love you too!" I semi scream down the hall while walking in the other direction to get to my first period class.

It's safe to say even after using Josh's notes at lunch, I failed that test miserably. I hope the rest of the day will bring a little more luck.

Later that Monday

"Mom I'm home!" I scream throughout the house while simultaneously throwing my bookbag on the massive table that was the centerpiece of our dining room.

"Mom?" I scream again because she hasn't made herself known to me yet.

"In here honey!" Is heard screamed from the upstairs office.

I run up the marble staircase that I've known since my childhood and knock on my mother's office door.

"Can I talk to you?" I say while opening the door slowly all at once.

"Don't come in!" She says strictly, halting my movement. "You know I'm doing work in here and can't be disturbed. Whatever you have to say to me can be said from the outside of that door"

"Um... okay sorry." I say dejected. "I just wanted to talk to you about today begin my first day working but I understand that you're busy" I say starting to walk away.

I hear movement from inside the room, but nevertheless continue walking.

"Wait." My mom comes out of her room sporting her signature pant suit and a look of remorse I haven't seen in a while. "I'm sorry honey, I shouldn't have been so harsh. I just don't like you coming into my office without permission and you should know that. Now, what is it you want to talk about exactly?" She says with half of a smile.

"Nevermind, Its fine mom. You can get back to your work." I say, not wanting to talk anymore

"Are you sure sweetheart?" She says sincerely, yet still seeming as though she wishes to return to her office.

"Yes, I'm sure mom" I say faking a smile.

"Alright, good luck on the job today honey. I believe in you." And with that she went back in her office leaving me alone with my worries and my doubts.

30 minutes later

"Bye mom. I'll tell you how it went when I get home!" I scream to her as I run down the stairs not wanting to be late to my first job.

"Yeah that's great honey, see you later." I vaguely here as I'm already down the stairs and halfway out the door by the time she says it

I drive to Buckley's in my silver 2009 Honda Civic and see the big window looking into the small café, the door propped open like always, and people coming in and out as though it were a hotel. Just by seeing this café, I was immediately reminded of home. For some reason, ever since I was a kid, I was more comfortable here than in my own home.

I step out of the car as I notice the time slowly ticking by with me reminiscing, and I quickly jog inside.

"Mia figlia! So good to see you actually here on time." Marco said with that thick Italian accent and the warm smile that always reaches his eyes.

I smile, "Of course, Marco, you know I can't make a bad impression on my first day. Where's Jan?"

"She's in the back, you see how busy this place is. We can get backed up so easily, that's why we need your help." The old Italian man said as he gently escorted me to the back.

"Well, I'm happy to help Marco. I am a little nervous because I don't want to mess up and disappoint you or Jan, but I know it's a dumb this to worry about."

"Nonsense!" Is heard from the kitchen "There's nothing to be nervous about Bailee. We have known you since you were in diapers and through all of that we were never disappointed. However, you did make many mistakes." Jan interrupts our conversation with a warm smile. The older women with gray hairs slowly encompassing her entire head begins to embrace me in a long hug.

"Thank you, Jan," I say with sincerity "I was probably a handful when I was a kid huh?" I chuckle

"Oh yeah. I remember when you were about 5 and your mom brought you in after a long day's work" Marco begins to recall "She seemed stressed and when you pulled the table cloth off the table and shattered her coffee cup, she lost it."

"Of course, we reassured her that everything was okay, being that you were a child and all." Jan remembers fondly.

I'm amused "Wow, I was never told that story." I say while laughing to myself "So I was a clumsy child then?"

"You still are." Marco teases with a laugh

"Uh-oh the lines getting long. Let's put you to work shall we kid?" Jan says warmly.

I notice the line at the front desk becoming long as well and realize I'm here to do a job.

With a smile and a bit of determination to have a great first day I say, "Let's do it." And put on my apron to begin helping the customers.

My first day ended up going way better than expected. Jan and Marco made the environment comfortable as always and when it was over I was questioning why I was nervous in the first place. That Monday the only noteworthy thing that happened was me working my first job. However, I wish I would have paid attention to the signs. Maybe all of this could have been avoided if I had looked beyond the surface level of things.

***

A/N: Welp... that's the first chapter. I really hope you liked it. Thank you so much for reading and giving this book a chance.

Have a great day beautiful people! :)