I see on their faces how shocked they are. They know I keep these songs under lock and key. They’ve asked numerous times to read or hear my songs, but I always refused. I’m just so private about them. I mean, I know I’ll one day share it with them when I’m ready, but I’ve never felt like that day has arrived yet. And now one of my most private songs is somewhere out there, for who knows who to find.
“We’ll help you look,” Sophie tells me as she drops her backpack and books on her bed. “Carly and Addie stopped by so we could do our homework together, but this is more important.”
“Thanks, but I don’t think it’s in here.” My eyes scan the room as anxiety hijacks every cell in my body. “I have no idea where I could have lost it.”
“When did you last see it?” Carly asks.
“In math class this morning. My teacher was running late and I looked over some of the songs. But I put the folder in my backpack as soon as she walked in.”
“Are you sure?” Addie asks. “Maybe you forgot to put the missing song in your backpack?”
“It can’t be,” I say as I rack my brain. “I always stash it between two songs to make sure it’s safe. But I noticed a few minutes ago that some of the songs fell out of the folder. They were at the bottom of my backpack, with the missing song not there. What could have happened to it?”
“Maybe it fell out of the folder when you dropped it into your backpack,” Sophie suggests.
“Which means it might still be in the classroom.” I leap to my feet and race out the door.
“Wait for us!” Carly calls after me.
I don’t wait for them to catch up. I’m like a cheetah as I speed toward the building where the classrooms are located. Some students are still around because of practice, clubs, andextra-curricular activities, and I try my hardest not to crash into anyone. When I finally burst into the classroom, I nearly slam into the desks. I dash to my desk and plunge to the floor, my hands immediately sliding underneath.
“Raven,” Sophie breathes when they finally catch up. “What does it say on it? I don’t want to read it because it’s private, but I want to make sure I know what we’re looking for.” She and the others are searching around the room.
“The title is at the top,” I tell them as I skid to the next desk and look underneath. “It’s called ‘I Don’t Need Your Kisses.’”
Addie releases a squeak that sounds intrigued and excited, but she presses her lips together and continues her search.
I don’t know how much time passes, but it feels like forever. After my friends and I practically turn over the entire classroom with no luck, we move into the hallway, and then the nearby classrooms. I also check my locker. But we don’t find the song anywhere.
“This is terrible,” I say as I sink to the hallway floor and press my back to the lockers. “Anyone could have it.”
“Why is the song so private?” Sophie asks as she settles down near me. “Is it about your personal life?”
I nod. “I’m sure you guys can figure out who it’s about.”
“You mean…Kylen?” Addie asks.
I nod with a frown.
“So it’s a love song?” Carly asks. Her brows dip. “Or is it a roast song?”
I shake my head. “It’s a song about love, loss, and hope. But yeah, it’s definitely about Kylen. I mean, it’s not obvious because I tried really hard to sound neutral, but it’s obvious if youdoknow who it’s about.”
“Oh,” Carly says.
I exchange a look with all of them. “I don’t think I’ll ever find it. It’s gone.”
“I don’t want to give up.” Carly shoots up from the floor and heads further down the hall. “Maybe a kid found it and brought it to the lost and found. I’ll check with the office.”
Bringing my knees to my chest, I wrap my arms around them and press my face into them. “Who knows who has it?”
Sophie rubs my back. “It doesn’t say your name on it, right? So hopefully whoever has it will throw it away.”
“Yeah, it probably sucks anyway,” I mutter.
“I highly doubt that,” Addie says.
“I have faith it’ll turn up,” Sophie says. “Maybe it’s in one of your textbooks.”
