“Middle school,” I say with a sigh. “Remember those awful years? I can’t wait for her to get past that.”
“She misses her friend,” Mom says. “I thought she would make new friends by now, but she’s still struggling.”
“Making new friends in middle school? That’s like almost impossible,” Addie says.
“She’ll be okay,” I say with a brave smile. “I think my sister is one of the strongest people I know.”
Mom lays her hand over mine. “I hope you’re right.”
The conversation veers to other topics, like what’s going on in the world, and of course school. All the adults seem to get along great, just like they have in the past, but Nathaniel Bradshaw looks a little out of place. Not only is he the only grandparent at the table, but he’s one of the richest people in the world. He does make an effort to be cordial and friendly, though. And he gives financial advice to some of the parents, who really appreciate it.
I glance at the dessert table to see what’s taking Robin so long, but my eyebrows shoot up when I don’t see her there. I quickly scan the other tables, but I don’t see her there, either. I don’t see her anywhere.
Getting to my feet, I look around the entire dining room, wondering if she wandered off to another table. Maybe she recognized someone? But she doesn’t seem to be in the dining hall.
“Mom, Dad,” I interrupt. “Did you see where Robin went?”
They stop talking and glance around the room. A look of alarm passes over Mom’s face. “No, I didn’t see where she went. Is she not in here?”
“I don’t see her anywhere.”
I leave the table and check around the area, my eyes zooming over every person. I don’t see her familiar dark hair. Panic seizes every cell in my body. She wasjusthere a few minutes ago.
My parents, my friends, and their parents are searching around the room as well, calling her name. Mom and Dad look beyond freaked out, probably matching the expression I wear.
“Raven, what’s wrong?” Kylen’s voice asks.
When I spin around, I find him standing before me with a concerned expression.
“It’s my sister. We can’t find her.”
“Where did you last see her?”
“She went to get a dessert from the dessert table.”
Kylen’s gaze immediately springs to that table, but of course he doesn’t find her there.
“I don’t think she’s in here,” I say. “Maybe she left? But why would she? It’s not like her to just run off on her own. I need to go out and look for her.”
“I’ll help you search,” he offers. “I’ll check the other side of campus and text you if I find her.”
“Okay. Thanks so much, Kylen.”
“Of course.” He gives me a quick hug. “Don’t worry, we’ll find her. She has to be on campus because the guards wouldn’t let her leave.”
I nod as his words make sense. There’s no way the guards would let a twelve-year-old girl leave on her own. Maybe they’ll find her wandering about and bring her back to us. But just in case they don’t find her, I race out of the dining hall and out the door.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kylen
If I were twelve years old and ran away, where would I go?
The question has been floating around in my mind since I started searching for Robin fifteen minutes ago.
I checked under the bleachers, which didn’t really make sense because it’s cold out, but I figured you never know. I also looked around the gym, the classrooms. Raven, her family, and I have been updating each other on the places we searched.
We’ve taken care of every single possible area on campus, but there’s somewhere no one has thought to look. I’m headed there right now.
