Hide Away

Her voice

The morning was tough for Shane. He was not sure about coming to school after all he was going through.
He could only think where could Noel be. And how could she so suddenly disappear.
Shane walked his steps towards his class unknowingly. He even greeted a few people on the way. He tried to act as normal as he possibly could.
His lectures, which were always hard to finish without getting dosed off, went through without any hint of sleep. He was alert even. More than required.
Any added footfall, a cough, a sniff, a whisper, made him think it must be Noel.
Noel. He thought. Where are you?
Dianne came to his table during lunch and probably made some arrangements for him to come with her family for their next camping trip. He hardly remembers saying yes to her offer.
He looked down at his bowl of untouched salad.
'Oh, I can never not order one of their soy dressing salads. They are refreshing.' Dianne was saying, as she looked down at his full bowl. Clearly trying to make him eat.
But there wasn't any space left in him. He was just too consumed.
Just then, Shane felt a vibration in his jeans pocket. And then, a cheery tune of Christmas bells started to fill his ears. He was too afraid to turn the volume of his phone down. Too afraid that there might be a call and he might miss it.
He looked hard at the unknown number. Certain that it must be Noel's. He excused himself from the table and went to a corner of their canteen.
'Yes?' he picked.
'Shane!' there she was. A loud exclamation.
Noel.
'Noel? Where are you? Where have you been? Is everything all right?' he tried not to panic, in vain.
There was silence on the other side then.
'Noel....Noel!' he called. Begged almost.
But silence. There was nothing on the other side until he heard three consequent beeps telling him that the call has been disconnected.
A sudden gush of fear struck him. Right through the face.
Her voice wasn't calm. Not in the least sense.
Noel wasn't safe. He could tell.