chapter 6

"But she was here for cheer-leading practice yesterday!" I breathed out.

"We've been trying to call her since yesterday but her mobile is switched off!" Mrs. Greene sobbed harder, not being able to contain herself for much longer.

I couldn't blame her, though. Sabrina was her only child after 15 years of marriage - I'd be wailing too if I'd been in her position.

"We waited and waited for her. Her dinner was getting cold," Mr. Greene said, trying to calm Faye's mom. "I drove to school, but there was nobody here anymore. She never came home last night."

Scrunching up her freckled face in distress, Coach B said, "Mr and Mrs Greene, I'm so sorry to hear about this. We'll be sure to let you know if we have any news on Faye."

"Come on, dear, we need to go home in case Faye returns," Mr Greene said, picking up the crying Mrs Greene from the floor and walking out of the school premises.

We were quiet due to the shock brought by Faye's disappearance.

"This is awful," I heard Bianca whispering to herself. "Where could Faye be?"

"Oh my God, do you know what this means?" Crystal gasped. "Now we're down to two members for each team! AND THE CHEER-LEADING TALENT SCOUT IS COMING NEXT WEEK!"

Crystal started sobbing, "We won't even be able to do our routine!"

Is she seriously forgetting the part that your friend is missing? All she's thinking about is the fact that the CTS are coming over next week. She really did live and breathe for cheer-leading but that was not a valid reason to neglect the fact that your friend is missing.

"Anyway, can we come up with a new routine before next week's game?" Skylar asked out of the blue.

What is wrong with these people?

"There is no way we'll be able to come up with an entire new routine by next week," Crystal frowned.

"Yeah, you're right," Skylar smiled sheepishly, "Besides, it wouldn't be much of a routine with just three people."

"There's only one solution..." I trailed out "Emergency cheer-leading tryouts."

"Yes!" Crystal squealed.

"Good idea, Emelie," Coach praised, "We can hold the tryouts in the gym after school, tomorrow."

"We can get started on making the notices for the tryouts right away!" Skylar said while on her phone.

"Let's make a sign-up sheet for the tryouts!" I screamed.

...........

"There, done!" Skylar exclaimed, placing the slip for the cheer-leading tryouts on the notice board.

On placing it, two girls approached us."You're holding cheer-leading tryouts?" One of them asked after taking a look at the slip.

"Yup and you're welcome to try out for the team!"

The second girl clapped her hands, giving us a broad smile. "I'm definitely coming to try out!"

"Oh my god! I'm so excited!" the girl we spoke to earlier exclaimed. "I'll come try out for sure," she said, walking away with her friend.

We turned back to each other in order to start a conversation when Dylan came over, clearing his throat to get our attention. "Hey, Skylar."

"Oh. Hi, Dylan," Skylar nodded with grimace.

"Erm...what are you doing after school today?" he said, casually shrugging. "I was thinking maybe we could..."

Skylar interrupted him with a sigh, "Actually, I'm just going to go home and wash my hair."

"Oh. Um, ok," Dylan replied sadly.

"Bye," Skylar shushed him with her hands.

"Bye."

"What was that about?" Crystal asked, appearing out of the blue."I thought you liked him?"

Skylar chuckled slyly, texting away on her phone. "He was too boring."

"Who are you texting, anyway?" Crystal asked, placing her hands on her hips. "Since it's obviously not Dylan."

"Nobody," she replied with a sly smirk.

........

Walking home after school, I thought about the ride to school in Austin's car this morning. Why did he have to act so mysterious all the time anyway? I thought while walking on the side-walk home. Ok, so I know a little more about him now, after our conversation in his car this morning.

I placed my hands on my cheeks. But that still didn't explain his earlier, strange reactions. It was aggravating, the way he blew hot and cold.

A red spot car sped right past me. That's Austin's car. Wait where is he going? I asked myself, looking at the car since it didn't turn right at the junction in front like he should have which was the direction to our houses, instead he turned left.

But...that road only leads to... the cemetery? Why is he going to the cemetery? I couldn't resist. Only one way to find out where he was going. I have to follow that car!

But then I realized the car had disappeared around the corner. While I sat there thinking of ways to get to the cemetery, a blue corolla stopped in front of me and Crystal jumped out of the drivers side of the car. "Hey, Em! Are you alright? What are you doing just standing here?"

"No time to waste!" I exclaimed. "Austin just drove past and I need to find out why he's heading towards the cemetery! Gotta run-"

She interrupted my rant, giving me a weird look. "Whoa! Wait, you want to run after his car?"

I gave her a sheepish smile.

She chuckled, "Girl, why don't I give you a lift in my car?" She said.

"That would be lovely, Crissie, but I'll be fine. I don't want him knowing I'm there thanks to your noisy car."

She rolled her eyes, getting back into her car. "Alright, if you're sure," and she zoomed passed me.

"Now, where did that car go?" I said running, towards the direction I last saw his car.

I got to the cemetery, panting. "Almost...lost sight of...his car..." I whispered to myself, panting hard, "And I'm all sweaty."

I looked at my left and saw his car. He must have gone into the cemetery. Should I wait a while before following him inside? I don't want him seeing me...but if I wait, I might not be able to see where he's going.

"I better go in now; I don't want to lose sight of him." I walked into the cemetery, hiding behind a statue and saw Austin sadly standing next to a tomb a few feet away from me. "What am I doing? Why am I even spying on him?"

I looked over at him and saw him walking away, leaving a bunch of roses close to the molded tomb. I walked over to the tomb and read the name out loud to myself, "'Adrienne Lewis'? Who's Adrienne Lewis?"

I looked over at the date she died, 14th April 2019. Hmm, she passed away last year and she was only 16 when she died!

I was drowned in my thoughts until I heard a voice behind me, saying, "Are you following me?"