Seven Billion Years [UNFINISHED]

Chapter 9

73 DAYS

"Why hasn't Eli replied to any of my messages?" Laila asks, staring down at her phone as we get closer to the school. This definitely isn't what I'd hoped. I'm just wanting Eliott to be at school, so it isn't like he's making it super obvious that he's trying to avoid contact with Laila.

"I dunno. He hasn't been texting me either," I say, knowing full well I only messaged him once in the past 24 hours.

Brushing to the side the fact that Eliott isn't talking to her, Laila goes on this super long talk about how she's so excited to see Abigail in person. It lasts all the way until we get to the front of the school.

"...and that's why I think Abigail is such an awesome human being," Laila finishes, a satisfied smile on her face.

"Uh, maybe you shouldn't come to the meeting today..." I say slowly, unsure of what Laila's reaction will be.

"What?" Laila asks, surprised. "Why?"

"I mean, you know what they say, right?" I say, nervous about what Laila thinks. "That thing about never meeting your heroes, since they're sure to disappoint you?"

After hearing how Laila had talked up Abi on the way here, and what I've seen from meeting Abi, I don't think she'll want to meet her. If Laila gets overexcited, Abi might think she's weird and won't like her, and Laila will be really upset. I don't want that to happen.

We arrive at the school, but Eliott isn't waiting out front for us like he usually does. I immediately think that he's not at school, but he might just be late, even though that's pretty unusual for Eliott.

Laila and I head inside anyway, and Eliott isn't even here for PC. He's most likely avoiding having to tell Laila, I can't think of any other reason.

I hear from our PC teacher that I have to be a runner for the first two sessions today, then Laila. Delivering notes to classes instead of doing work? Awesome.

It's almost time for the first break, and nothing has happened. Maybe not so awesome. Right as I feel like I could doze off to sleep, I hear my name being called from behind the front office desk.

The woman behind the counter passes me a note, with the writing 'Adalynn Carter Upstairs 27', and tells me to head over there to tell Adalynn to come to the front office.

I head out of the front office and up the stars, finding Adalynn's classroom.

I knock on the door and walk inside, and I give my note to the teacher.

"Adalynn hasn't come to class today," the teacher explains briefly. I'm about to head out the door to go back to the front office, when some people messing around at the back of the class yell out to me.

"She's probably off hiding in the bathroom again-!" a boy yells, but was swiftly sushed by a girl near the front of the classroom.

I nod politely and leave the class, remembering that this Adalynn could be in the toilets.

I tell the woman behind the desk that Adalynn wasn't there, who dismissively tells someone on the phone that she isn't in class, and I go back to sitting down and being bored, but even though people wag classes all the time, I still can't help but wonder where Adalynn was.

"Hey, do you mind if I go to check out the toilets real quick?"

Break has finally rolled after what feels like an eternity, and even though there's only a small chance, I want to check out the bathrooms anyway. I know it means leaving Laila alone, and she'll probably be suspicious of me again, but at least I'll have a legitimate reason that I don't have to lie about this time.