When Truth Surface (Book #2 of "When Secrets Surface")

Chapter 29

Sophie's POV

I opened the school doors and tried to meander through the crowds of people chatting and gossiping.

I dragged my feet forcing myself to go to class.

I sat in my literature class, staring at the clock as the minutes crawled. Mrs. Kline, my teacher, paced in front of the whiteboard, her heels tapping against the floor with a rhythm that only amplified my headache.

She looked a little too pleased with herself as she glared at me, dark eyes narrowing.

"Can we all pay attention, please?" she snapped, pointing directly at me.

"Some of us are here to learn, not wallow in self-pity."

I clenched my fists under the desk, heat creeping up my cheeks.

"I'm not wallowing," I muttered, but the words barely escaped my lips.

"Excuse me?" Her voice rose, cutting through the chatter of my classmates.

"I said I'm not wallowing," I repeated, a bit louder this time.

"Then stop complaining about your headaches! They're getting old, Sophie. If you're not going to participate, perhaps you shouldn't bother showing up at all," she said, crossing her arms.

The room erupted in whispers, laughter bubbling just beneath the surface. I could feel their eyes on me, judging, waiting for me to crumble.

"Just because you don't understand doesn't mean it isn't real," I shot back, my voice trembling with frustration.

"Enough!" Mrs. Kline barked, her face flushed. "Go to the nurse if you can't handle it. But you won't be lucky next time mark my words Sophie."

With that, she turned her back on me, dismissing my struggle like it was nothing. I felt the tears pricky in my eyes, but I blinked them away. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction.

As soon as the bell rang, I bolted out of the classroom and headed straight for the parking lot. My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. I needed to breathe.

Dorothy was waiting by my car, tapping her foot impatiently. "What took you so long?" she asked, concern etched across her face.

"Mrs. Kline," I replied, my voice tight.

"Ugh. What did she do now?"

"Nothing I haven't heard before," I grumbled, finally allowing a breath of frustration to escape.

"Let's just get home. I found something on Naylene’s laptop," Dorothy said, her tone shifting to something more serious.

"What do you mean?"
We climbed into the car, and I started the engine.

"I searched her Instagram accounts she labeled a contact 'Lil Ash?'."

The name sent a chill down my spine.
"But why was she talking to him?"

"I don't know but I think you might be right he might have Naylene," she said, her eyes wide with urgency.

"What do we do?" I asked, gripping the steering wheel.

"We need to text him. Set up a meeting, somewhere secluded."

"Like the old barn?"

"Yeah, it's isolated. We can talk without anyone overhearing us."

I nodded, driving us back to our house. Mom and Dad's cars weren't in the driveway so they were both not home yet we went up to my room and immediately picked up a blanket and snuggled into it feeling the warmth seep into my bones.

"Okay, let's, see if he responds."
I said my voice hitched, anxiety curling tight in my stomach. What if this was a trap?

"Just breathe, Soph. We’ll figure it out," Dorothy said, glancing up at me.

"Yeah, breathe," I repeated, but my heart raced.

Moments felt like hours as we waited, the silence stretching thin. Then, her phone buzzed.

"He texted back. He wants to meet at the barn tomorrow at five in the evening,"

I echoed, glancing at the clock. It was barely three.

"Tomorrow? We have time to prepare then," Dorothy assured me.

I wanted to shake the feeling of dread clinging to me, but it wouldn’t budge.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, I found myself in my room, pacing again. I picked up my phone, scrolling through my messages, but I stopped short when a call came through from an unknown number.

Not any number, the one that has been threatening me.

I hesitated, the hairs on the back of my neck prickling.

"Why hello, Sophie," I heard a familiar voice speak.

"Bella," I breathed, recognizing the familiar voice.

"Why is she calling you?" Dorothy snapped.

"Wanting to call my best friend, of course," she replied, the satisfaction creeping into her voice.  But it seems I stumbled on your plans.”

I felt my breathing speed up," What plans?"

Laughter crackled through the line.

"Don't be stupid, Sophie. Naylene, you're the one looking for her and I'm sure your little sidekick is helping too," Her voice dripping with venom.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I pretended to sound oblivious to her words.

"You came into my house Sophie. I saw you guys sprinting out of my house. Don't think I am stupid. But let me just tell you two things, you will never find Naylene and you are going to pay for breaking into my house. Mark my words, Sophie. Mark my words," Bella said a threatening tone glazed on her voice.

"Are you trying to threaten me?" I responded my voice barely above a whisper.

Just then the line dropped dead.

"So what I'm picking up from all this is that she called to threaten you," Dorothy said her face painted with anger.

"The number looks familiar," I mumbled.

I went to the messaging app and my eyes widened with shock.

"This the number that's been threatening me," I said my voice barely above a whisper.

"What?!"

I put the number through Truecaller and sure enough, Alex's name appeared.

"It was Alex. It was him all along," Dorothy said.

"But why?"

"That we will never get to know unless we ask him," Dorothy said.

"No, no, we can't push it until we find Naylene because he's a suspect... I'm going to take a nap," I mumbled burying myself in my blanket.

Dorothy's POV

I stepped out of Sophie's room this is a lot to process.

At least it makes sense that Bella was threatening Sophie.

Like father like daughter, I guess.

But will Lil Ash show up tomorrow?