Not Just Another Number

It's Strangely Cute

Warning! Mentions of Suicide!

Sarah's POV

"Where can they be?" Mom wonders out loud as she looks for her keys. Huh, de ja vu. I dig through the couch cushions, but come up empty handed. I look over at Will and Johnathan, and they have about the same luck.

"Found them!" Bob calls out, walking into the living room from the hall. Mom sighs and smiles, thanking him. "Super Bob to the rescue!" He cheers, a dorky smile on his face.

Suddenly, the phone rings. "I'll get it." I say, walking over to the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Sarah! I need your help with something." Dustin says on the other end.

"What do you need? What's going on?"

"I need you to take me to the library really quick."

"Why the library?"

"I need books for research!"

I'm not even gonna question it anymore. I sigh and scratch the back of my neck. "Sure Dusty, I'll be right over." I say before hanging up.

I turn around and grab my bag from the counter. I grab my keys too. I shove them into my pocket and walk to the front door.

"Sarah."

I turn around, my hand on the door, looking at Mom. "Can you take Will to school?" I look at Will, feeling bad. I should, but Dustin needs me and I did tell him I would take him.

"Sorry Mom, I'm busy. I have to go to the library." I say. She nods. She looks lost. Bob steps forward, pointing at Will. "I can take him." He suggests.

Man, Super Bob to the rescue. Will looks disappointed and a little uncomfortable, but Mom nods her head. "Thank you so much!" She says, hugging Bob in thanks.

I shake my head as I smile at the two. I wave goodbye before leaving the house and unlocking my car. I open the driver's side and slide in.

I stick the keys into the ignition, closing the door, and pull out of the dirt driveway. I turn on the radio as I drive to Dustin's house. 'Whip It' plays.

I wonder why Will looked so uncomfortable. Bob's pretty cool. He makes Mom happy, so that makes me happy. I tap along to the song as I turn down the street, pulling up to Dustin's house.

I roll down the window and lean out. I honk the horn twice, waiting for Dustin. By the time he gets outside, the song's finished. He's carrying the ghost trap he made for Halloween. Weird. He runs around to the passenger seat and carefully sits down.

He gently puts the trap in his lap, but kicks his back pack to the floor. I wait for him to unbuckle before driving away.

"So, why the library again?"

He looks up at me, a nervous smile on his face. "I need to figure out whatever this is." He says, pointing at the trap.

"It's a ghost trap from Ghost Busters. I helped you make that."

"No, not the trap! I'm talking about what's inside it!"

"Inside it? What did you find while I ws gone?" I ask, glancing at him as I turn down the street leading to the library.

He looks excited, but that quickly becomes apprehensive. "I-I can't show you."

"Why not?"

"We're in your car. And people could see through the windows. I have to show you in private." What is he going on about?