Absent

Chapter 21: Not-so-ideal roommates

Heather's POV.
"You will not worry about me. You will not call me if I don't come home. And you and I won't be talking again."

I lower my laptop, seeking Lindsey's eyes to confirm she was speaking to me, but she sure as hell avoids looking at my direction. Well, I can't complain. We've been in this apartment a whole week ignoring each other, and that's all the communication we've actually had. She returns to her room, carrying her breakfast, and slamming the door behind her. I hope she's going to school today. I can't actually boss her around without inviting her to do a death glare at me, but say nothing, and do the exact opposite of what I order her. I can't tell her to go to school, especially when I'm not going myself.

But see, I've got a reasonable excuse for not attending. I recently discovered that I DO NOT enjoy being around too many people. At Bellavista, the population is low, and the density is an even smaller number. But in New York the amount of citizens is absurdly high. When we exited the airport a week ago, I suffered an anxiety attack. Lindsey managed to drag me to the apartment without giving away any concern or words, at all.

I tried to go to school.

But that's just something that'll never happen again. I didn't even make it through the entrance to the main building, before turning around and taking a cab to the apartment. Lindsey, due to our silence agreement, doesn't question my decisions.

At the bus to school though, I met a girl from Fortuna. She understood why I was overwhelmed, and left me reassured; it'll pass. She offered to send me our homework and advanced assignments so that my grades don't go that low. Not that I care too much, I just hate the idea of Mary feigning worry over my education.

I tune out my thoughts and back to my Physics I report due tomorrow at 6. It's not my best job, or writing for that matter, but it'll have to do. I organize the rest of my day with all the responsibilities I have to deal with.

I decide instead to check my phone. Nothing from either or my friends. No news from Javier. And still, absolutely nothing from Alex. I hope he's taking this well.

I sigh, knowing this is all I'll get for my six months here.
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I notice the lack of daylight vaguely, and glance over the clock on my screen. 5:32 a.m. Oh crap. I just wasted a whole day and the morning of another doing nothing but typing on my laptop. I stay awake for another couple of minutes finishing what I've begun, but then immediately go for hours of sleep.
I'm falling deep before my eyes snap open.

"Lindsey?" I ask to the air around me, finally hitting my memory that I didn't hear her returning from school. "Lindsey!" I repeat, a little louder.
In one single movement, I'm on my feet and crashing into her room, the door swinging open to reveal an empty room.

Empty of her things, her belongings, and her clothing. Empty of any signs of Lindsey. "You must be kidding me." I exhale, as I scan the room for any forgotten clue. "You better be joking with me." I repeat, turning for help from my phone.

I make sure to leave enough missed calls and death threats in Lindsey's number before actually talking to someone. I dial Galileo's number and wait. "Heather, if you're calling to check on Alex, he's been-"

"-Not my major issue right now. Has Lindsey called or left any messages? Do you anything from her?" I interrupt him breathlessly. He sighs but doesn't lose the freshness on his voice.

"Heather, take deep breathes."

"Okay."

"Now that you're not in danger," he begins, referring to my stress level. "Tell me why you think Lindsey is."

"It's fucking 5 a.m., and she left yesterday for school. She hasn't come back. What do I do?"

"Call the school and the support group. She might have had an emergency."