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Chapter XXXII

Chapter 32

L i n d a

I can't help but think of many bad scenarios going through my head. Eva hasn't responded to my messages or calls ever since last night. Not even when I called from Brenda's phone. I keep telling myself that perhaps she doesn't want to see me, but at least a message would be alright. At least that would slightly calm me down.

I quickly head inside the school building once I arrive, not caring to wait on my friends. My only focus is to find Eva and make sure she's okay. And the selfish part of me still needs her. She's my actual and only hope. A witness.

I walk around the hallways hoping to catch a glimpse of her in the crowd of students- by her locker even, but nothing. Leaving me even more anxious than ever before.

I can feel my phone buzzing in my hand with incomes messages and calls. None which are Eva's and ignore them.

Eventually, the warning bell rings. Indicating I only have a minute to get to class.  I sigh out in frustration as I start running to my first period.

-

I step into my class just in time and take a seat while Mrs. Robinson begins her lesson but not before giving me a look as if asking me if I'm okay. I nod. 

Not a minute too soon a chair scrapes the floor, followed by footstep which stop beside me and occupies the empty seat.

 I don't need to turn to look to know who it is. My heart seems to already know due to the wild beat of it along with his scent that invades my nose.

"Linda, you okay?" He whispers, low enough for me to hear, and places a hand over mine. Staring at me with concerned and worried eyes as I look up at him.

I shake my head. "What hap-"

"Mr. Miller this is not musical chairs. You need to decide where to sit..." Mrs. Robinson interrupts giving Derek a stern look.

"I'm going to sit here" He states. Not bothering to look back at her.

Mrs. Robinson sighs, moving a strand of hair behind her ear, and goes back to explaining an upcoming project. Once she's done she hands out our assignment. Letting us work in partners.

Derek wastes no time and completely turns towards me, ignoring the assignment in hand.

 "What's wrong? You weren't in the parking lot this morning. We got worried that something happened. Especially when you didn't answer your phone. You didn't even call me last night either."

It's true. We were all shaken up. Finding everything we did- making every doubt I might have had left fade yesterday night. If Zoe killed Jacob she could kill any one of us, even Derek. And that's what kept me up last night. The thought of losing him and everyone around me. Why did I let him go with her?

Derek gives my hand a gentle squeeze breaking me out of my thoughts. "We're supposed to keep distance," I whisper ignoring his question. Trying to pull my hand away and turning my attention to the task in front of me. We can't lose concentration- this isn't over yet.

As if reading my mind he grips my hand tighter but not tight enough to hurt me, and with two figures under my chin he turns my attention back to him "Zoe's not here, and you're more important now tell me what's wrong?"

Instead of his words comforting me I get more anxious.

Zoe's not here? What if she knows, what if- I shake my head trying to clear my mind, but that doesn't seem to work.

I can feel my hand tremble, and I know Derek feels it too. "Princess come on tell me what's wrong?" He says moving his hand to my cheek.

I sigh "Eva. She hasn't texted me back  and last night she ran off when we were at Zoe's. I'm worried that something happened especially now with Zoe not here."

He tries to mask his emotions but his eyes give him away, and I see determination, frustration and worst of all fear. He leans over and presses a kiss on my cheek, ignoring the looks we're probably getting from our classmates.

"Don't worry we'll figure something out. I'm not letting anything happen to you." His voice cold and hard. If only he knows that it's not me I'm worried about but him, my friends, Eva.

********

Throughout the whole day I've been looking at every single classroom I would pass by. Asking anyone if they have seen her but no one could give me the answer I wanted. 

When I arrive at the cafeteria. I spot Derek sitting at our table talking to Luke and Alexander while the girls listen. I take a seat beside him not caring about keeping distance anymore.

"By any chance have y'all seen Eva," I ask my voice trembling laced with hope.

They all shake their head.

"Maybe she decided to stay home" Luke reassures, but even he doesn't look convinced.

I shake my head" Zoe's not here as well as Eva. I don't think its a coincidence. Plus I have a bad feeling and I'm never wrong when it comes to it." I blurt out.

"Why do we even need her? We have evidence from last night there's no need for Eva to be involved" says Jessica.

" I don't care! She's the key in all of this, and besides, I need to make sure that's she's okay!" They jump at my outburst along with other students who glance our way. Derek puts an arm around me, rubbing my arm in attempts to calm me down.

"Don't you have class with her next? " I nod "Maybe she'll be there?" says Alexander.

***********

When I enter my last block, Eva's nowhere in sight. I look around frantically as I sit down hoping maybe she's in another seat or late but no.

I start gathering my things and head to the front not, caring that class hasn't started yet.

"Mr. Brown I'm not feeling well can I go to the nurse.?" He nods and writes me a pass, but I don't go to the nurse. Instead, I head to the parking lot and text Sarah. Asking her if there is a way she can get Eva's address. Next, I text Brenda. Letting her know that I'm leaving to see her.

My phone chimes with the address on the screen and just as I'm opening the driver side I hear my name from the back doors I walked out of. 

"You're leaving now?"  

I nod "I need to check on her."

"I'll go with you just wait."

"No, I'm going on my own. I'll meet you guys later so we can put an end to this with or without Eva."

I hop into my car. Not listening to Brenda's response, and speed out of the parking lot.