The Legend of the Firewalker, Book #1

Chapter 13.3

Author Note:

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Chapter 13.3

"Like tomorrow?" Nathan asked.

"Yes," said Lafonda. "Leah is going home tomorrow, and I plan to visit her in about two weeks."

"When?" asked Angela. "Isn't camp like over in two weeks?"

"I know," said Lafonda. "I was thinking about visiting her on the Friday before the closing ceremony on Saturday. Leah mentioned she didn't want to be stuck with her parents all summer, so I thought maybe I would bring her back here in time for the banquet and closing ceremony."

"That's a great idea," said Angela. "Especially since the banquet falls on the Fourth of July holiday!"

"I hoped you would feel that way," said Lafonda. "Do you think you could cover for me for like a day? I would be gone in the evening and return sometime in the afternoon the next day. I've already cleared it with my grandmother. I just need someone to help Nathan with the girls that day."

Angela was going to say something, but then paused to look at Alan. He was busy texting on his cell phone. "That sounds like a great idea," she said finally. "Of course I'll help!"

"Thanks!" Lafonda said happily. 

Angela paused to look at Alan again. "What are you doing, Alan?"

"Texting," he said.

"Texting who?" she asked.

"Oh, just a few people," responded Alan. He had a huge grin across his face. "This is big news!"

Quickly, Angela took Alan's cell phone out of his hands. "Give me that!"

"Hey," protested Alan ardently. "Give me back my cell phone!"

Angela and Lafonda laughed.

"Later!" Angela chuckled, while pocketing the cell phone. 

"What's the big deal!" he pouted. "It's big news and other people will want to know."

"Yeah?" retorted Angela. "But what kind of people?" She folded her arms across her chest. "Probably not anyone that actually cares about Leah."

"Go ahead and give it back to him," sighed Lafonda, while rolling her eyes.

Angela frowned but gave Alan his cell phone.

"Thank you!" he rejoiced.

"So, is everything okay?" asked Erin. "I mean, I didn't know her, but I ... heard about what happened."

"Yes," said Lafonda softly, while nodding. "Everything is fine. Leah said the doctors want her to relax and gave her a clean bill of mental health. They are calling it stress-induced hallucinations."  

"What does Leah think about that?" asked Nathan. "Does she think it was just stress?"

Lafonda paused and then glanced at her cell phone. "She didn't say," she said. "But her mom is talking about keeping her home for a semester."

"That sucks!" commented Erin. "Well, at least she is okay and gets to go home."

"I agree," said Lafonda, with a nod. "I think Leah is just glad to get out of that place. She's ready to put the whole ordeal behind her."

"Ooh," uttered Angela, "and if she comes up for the closing ceremony, she gets to relax and hang out with us. Isn't the ceremony going to be outdoors and in the evening too? She'll get to see the fireworks!"

"I know," said Lafonda. "We talked about doing some shopping at the mall down there to pick out some dresses."

"Shopping too?" exclaimed Angela, with a smile. "Gosh, I wish I was going. I haven't gone shopping since camp started."

Alan abruptly stopped texting and smirked at Angela.

"What? I said I haven't gone shopping," she said. "The Internet doesn't count.

Angela rolled her eyes, but suddenly looked concerned once she was facing Lafonda again. "What's wrong?" she asked. "I know I won't be there, but you can still text me pictures of dresses so I can see."

Lafonda responded with a half-smile. "That's not it," she said, appearing slightly gloomy. She forced a small chuckle followed by a quick wink. "Oh, and don't worry, I'll still send you pictures."

"Then ... what's wrong?" Angela asked. "You look down all of a sudden."

Lafonda's smile disappeared and she seemed hesitant to speak. "It's about something Leah mentioned on the phone," she said. She lowered her voice and leaned in closer to the table. "She said she hadn't spoken to Amanda since the night she was admitted to the hospital and that Amanda hasn't returned any of her phone calls."

"Oh, that's it!" spouted Alan, gesturing dismissively with cell phone in hand. "Maybe she just hasn't had time to return her phone calls."

"No, there's more," explained Lafonda. "I've tried calling Amanda too and haven't gotten anywhere. The last time I saw her was at my birthday party." She began to whisper. "And this is where it gets weird; Leah said Steve's parents called looking for him. They said he's been missing for over a week now, and they can't reach Amanda or her parents." 

Angela reached over to take Alan's cell phone again, but he moved out of the way.

"Alan!" she groaned. "This is not the time."

"What?" he protested. "This is news. And you never know — someone might know where Steve is or where to find Amanda." He held his phone in the air so that it was out of Angela's reach. "We should let people know, Angela!"

Lafonda tossed her long black hair over her shoulder and sighed. "Go ahead and let him," she said. "Maybe somebody knows something."

Alan's cheeks became a deep red and he smiled widely. A spark of passion beamed from his eyes. "I'm all over it!" he said.

"Whatever Alan," protested Angela. "You're such a gossip king."

"Thanks!" he said, over a flurry of thumb movements. "I'll take that as a compliment." 

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