Running Scared

Chapter 17:

 We spent a few days looking for Evan, seeing if anyone had seen his car or any sign of him at all. It seemed he just fell off the Earth. We all came to the conclusion he ran away with the intentions of never being found. Mrs. Saltzman was in a constant panic, she put up missing signs with his face on it everywhere that would let her put them up.

I felt so terrible for her, right before Christmas he took off. I wasn't too kind to him either before he left (not that he was too kind to me before I left). I helped her as much as I could but I also tried to stay away.

Tuesday was the last day of school before break, finally. Everyone was talking louder than usual on the way out after the last class of the day. Occasional whoops and hollers from the, actual, seniors erupted. Last Christmas break of high school for all of my friends, except me. It was oddly surreal. I should be looking forward to my last semester, my last few months in this town, applying to colleges, college visits, all of the senior things. Instead, I was loaded down with work from the time I missed and I didn't want to leave home for a long time.

Holly was next to me, informing me on her Christmas party plans. Friday night she was going to throw her annual Christmas party. The entire school, it seemed, was invited and her house was usually filled and overflowing with people. The local garage band would play some music, it was an unpaid gig unless you count drinks as pay. Sometimes the band would be amazing and other times the band would completely suck. I missed the band last year but I heard it was good.

“The party is at seven, I gave you an invite right?” Holly gave out dozens and dozens and dozens of invitations the week before.

“Yep.”

“Great! Oooh! I'm so excited, J!” Holly was the only one who called me J, usually I got Jess, Jessie, and random other variations but Holly was unique in that way, or rather every way.

I laughed. Parties were Holly's thing. I swore she would become a party planner when she gets older. More like one for celebrities, her phone would be ringing off the hook. “Your parties are always the best, H.”

We stopped at my car and her powder blue Bug was parked next to mine. “Awh, thanks! Ah! This is going to be great!” Holly got excited over everything. I do mean everything. She was just a different soul, in a good way.

“It will! I'll text you tonight. If you need anything, let me know! Otherwise, I guess I'll see you Friday!” I gave her a little wave then strutted to the drivers side.

Mom was home when I walked in. She was pouring chocolate powder into a pot on the stove and humming to herself, the TV in the kitchen on the afternoon news. I left my backpack at the door and plopped into a bar stool.

“Hey, whatcha making?” I sat up a little and peered over at the pot.

“Hot chocolate. Want some?”

I licked my lips and smiled. “Yes please!”

It was silent for a few minutes as she prepared the hot chocolate.

“Any plans this week?”

“Holly's party Friday, but that's about it. Why?”

“There's someone I want you to meet, but it won't be until Saturday.”

“Who is it?”

“You'll see,” she replied coyly.

I glared at her but grinned when she set a mug in front of me. Mom's signature hot chocolate. Yum! She made sure the hot chocolate was chocolatey enough then she put whipped cream on top and little chocolate shavings. She could open up a hot chocolate shop the way she made it. I used to complain that she went overboard but she always said it's got to look as good as it tastes. Damn she was right.