The Pavilion

Chapter One

It all started with a missing girl. I know that's not how most stories start. In fact, this is definitely how stories begin. This story is of a girl in search of her best friend, a pavilion and a world where everything is so perfect. So perfect it seems too perfect. Now sit back and enjoy the ride.

Two years ago my best friend went missing. One day, Nissa Ibrahim was around being her usual goofy self with everyone we knew and the next day she was gone. Without a word, without warning. At first, everyone thought it was one of her disappearing stunts. But when her bike was found on the side of the road with blood on it, our small town of Annecy buzzed with the news. 

We searched all over for her. But everyone grew tired and after two years of searching, everyone gave up hope and assumed Nissa was dead. But I knew deep down my friend was alive. I wasn't the only one. Her mother never gave up hope either. 

I sat under a tree on my favourite red blanket with a copy of Jane Eyre in my hand. It was late in the afternoon and the October weather as usual was a bit chilly and so most of the blanket was wrapped around me and I was on the floor technically. The wind blew gently and I shivered a bit, pulling the blanket closer. Normally I would come here with Nissa to read our favorite books, ride our bicycle and run through the woods playing hide and seek. Just then, I heard a rumbling sound. Looking up at the now grey skies that were slowly darkening by the minute, I sighed. Time to go home.

Reluctantly I put the book in my book bag and stood up. I folded the blanket and put it in the basket in front of my bicycle and holding on to my bicycle, I started walking towards the main road. Reaching the road, I climbed on it and began pedaling. Pedaling faster, I started to glide down the road. I watched the scenery flash as I rode by. The wind started to blow again and I closed my eyes for a moment to feel the breeze in my face. Wrong move. I opened them a split second later and saw a black car less than a few feet away. The car horn honked but it was too late. I barely had enough time to squeeze my brakes when I launched off my bike and into the air. I landed on the cold hard ground. A sudden pain shot through me and I gasped. I heard the car screech to a halt and the car door opened. I turned towards the direction and saw feet approaching me. I looked back at the sky and sighed, hoping that the more breaths I took would help ease the pain. It didn't.  A boy came in my line of vision, his hazel eyes peering into mine.

"Hey. Are you alright?"

My gaze moved to his dark curly locks and down to his full lips and then back to his piercing gaze. Those eyes. I smiled dreamily. How handsome.

"What?"

My eyes widened. Did I just say that out loud? He snapped his hands in my face twice.

"Hey! You okay?"

I shook my head slightly and felt another wave of pain shoot through it. Handsome guy had a smile on his face. Why the heck is he smiling? 

"Okay well we need to get you to a hospital. Just in case." he said

I nodded weakly in response. I suddenly felt his arm around me lifting me. Wait what? Why is he carrying me? I can walk. Not that I wanted to... ah well might as well enjoy the ride.  I closed my eyes and leaned against him, inhaling his smell as he walked back to his car. Strawberries and pine cones. I smiled weakly. He opened the door of the passenger side and placed me on the seat. He leaned over me to put the seatbelt on and once again the smell of strawberries wafted towards me. He  and closed the door. As I waited for him to place my bike in the trunk, I stared outside through the window. It was now dark. My parents are going to kill me. The drivers side opened and he climbed in placing my book bag in the back seat. He put on his seatbelt and started the car.

"My parents.." I mumbled.

He looked over at me. "Don't worry," he assured me "I can contact them for you once we get you to the hospital." 

I nodded and stared out the window. The drive to the hospital was a short and quiet one. Soon I was in the ER waiting with my parents for my results from my doctor after being checked. Handsome Guy had been next to me the whole time refusing to leave me alone until my parents arrived. My mother sat in a chair with a displeased expression on her face. My dad stood next to her giving her assuring little rubs on her back. They weren't happy. I cringed remembering my mother walking into the hospital with my father in tow screaming where her daughter was.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. It was the doctor. My mother stood up. "Well?" she asked.

"Miss Asante?"

I smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. "It seems that you have a concussion." he said.

A what? 

"You may have to take a few days off from school until you fully recover." He continued.

I groaned inwardly. Me missing a few days of school would not only break my perfect attendance but it would also make me miss out on a lot of things, causing me to do double the work when I finally returned. This was not good. My mind turned towards Handsome Guy. If he hadn't been in my way and if I hadn't closed my eyes-

My mother cleared her throat. I suppose my disappointment must have shown on my face because the doctor then said "Well you won't really miss out on anything. You can have a friend bring your schoolwork to you. Richard here for example could do that."

My eyes furrowed in confusion. Richard? In response to my confused look the doctor said "The guy that brought you in. He goes to the same school as you. He's a friend of my son's."

So Handsome Guy has a name. I was surprised. I had never seen him around. But then again I didn't know everyone at school. I nodded. "Yeah. I'll do that."

"Good. I'll leave you to rest and you can go home tomorrow morning. Good night Miss Asante."

With that he walked out. My mother whirled. "What on earth were you thinking Amara, staying out late like that! You had us worried. I ought to have your bike smashed!"

I rolled my eyes. She continued taking angrily and suddenly switched to French screaming about  'that cursed bike'. My father gave me a sympathetic look and pulling my mother gently by the arm, he guided her out of the room. I placed my head back against the pillow and sighed. I heard the door open and close again. I turned and it was Handsome Guy. Richard. His name is Richard Amara.

I smiled weakly. "Hey." I said.

He smiled back. "Hey. So what's the verdict?" he asked as he sat down on the chair previously occupied by my mother.

I sighed. "Doc says I have a concussion so I have to stay out of school for a few days."

He looked at me confused. "You make it sound like its so bad."

I raised my eyebrows. "It is. I've never been absent a day in my life."

He shrugged. "So you're worried this will ruin your "perfect attendance"? He asked, making a quote sign.

"Yeah."

"Well you heard the doc. You're supposed to stay home."

I frowned. "I know. And now you have to pay me back."

He arched an eyebrow. "Pay you back?"

I cocked my head to the side. "Uh, yeah you do. If you had stayed on the right side of the road I wouldn't have fallen and I wouldn't be in this situation."

"Actually, if you hadn't been day dreaming you would've probably been home by now, doing whatever it is you do."

I nodded. "Thanks."

He was silent for a moment before he looked up from the floor as if he remembered something.

"How rude of me. I've saved your life and I still haven't introduced myself."

I rolled my eyes. "It's not as if I was lying in a pool of blood when you found me."

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly in a smirk. "Still. I did bring you here didn't I?"

I shrugged in response. "Anyways-" he continued extending his hand "My name is Richard Valois. And you are?"

I smiled, taking his hand. "Amara. Amara Asante."