"Why would he tell you? I thought you guys didn't get along."
I told Eve not to tell her brother about Dean and me. It's not that I don't trust Evan to keep a secret. I just didn't want anyone knowing until Dean and I had decided we were a couple and were going to make it official by telling everyone. I thought we were doing that today but I'm starting to think it's not going to happen.
"We're doing a group project together," I tell Evan to explain my concern about Dean. "We had something due today and Dean was supposed to give me his part of the assignment."
Evan's brows rise. "And you're surprised he didn't show up?"
"Yeah, I know he's not really into school but he promised me he'd be here today."
"Dean's not the type of guy to keep his promise. If I were you, I'd just do his part of the assignment. You'll do a better job than him anyway."
Class starts and the teacher hands out the tests. My mind goes blank seeing the first question. I remember reading the material. I spent a lot of time studying. The answer should be easy but it's not coming to me. All I can focus on is Dean. I'm getting more and more worried something happened to him. What if he got attacked on the bus? Or what if he got hit by a car walking to the bus stop?
I'm overreacting, going to worst case scenarios when I'm sure he's fine. Maybe he was tired and fell asleep on the couch after he texted me. I could see that happening. We talked until late last night and he sounded tired on the phone.
"Ten minutes," the teacher says.
Shit. Ten minutes left on the test and I'm not even halfway done. I force myself to focus as I hurry to jot down answers. I'm still finishing the last question when the teacher stops by my desk.
"Pencils down." He waits for me to lift my pencil, then snatches the test from my desk and adds it to the pile in his hand.
I didn't finish the last question and we don't get credit for partial answers. That's ten points automatically deducted from my score. That'll give me a 90 assuming all my other answers were perfect, which I know they weren't. I was racing to write stuff down, barely having time to think. I'll be lucky if I get a C, and I never get C's on a test. Add that to my worry list. It's getting longer by the minute.
Back in the hallway, I see Danny in the distance and catch his eye. He looks down at his phone just as mine dings with a text. I quickly check it and see it's from Danny.
Haven't seen him,he texts.
Have you heard from him?I text back.
No.
Could you send him a text and let me know if you hear back?
Just did. Didn't get anything back. I'll let you know if I do.
I look up from my phone and see Danny going into a classroom.
Who else might have heard from Dean? He has other friends, but they don't usually text or call each other. Danny's his only close friend.
I could try texting Jacob but I don't want to worry him.
By the end of my next class, I'm desperate. I still haven't heard from Dean and Jake's the only person I can think of who might know what's going on.
Hey, Jake,I text, trying to keep it casual so he doesn't worry.Just wondering if you've heard from Dean. He has an assignment I need and I can't find him.
I hit send, then wish I hadn't added that last part. Telling Jake I can't find his brother might make him worry.
He's not at school?Jake texts back.
He could be but I haven't seen him. Have you heard from him?
No. Last I saw him was this morning. He was acting weird.
I don't know what that means but I need to find out.
Are you in class?I text.
No. Early lunch.
