The halls of cherry vale high felt different now, more distant. The laughter the chatter__ none of it has the same ring to it anymore. Olivia walked through the crowd her hand tucked into the pockets of her jacket, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.
Harper caught sight of her from the other side of the other side of the hall and waved practically bouncing with energy as she waved at olivia. a huge grin on her face
"liv" she called, darting through the crowd like a little tornado " I saved you a seat".
Olivia gave her a small smile but didn't say anything. She didn't want to pretend everything was fine . Harper could usually make her laugh , but today the weight of everything felt too much.
Harper didn't seem to notice _or maybe she didn't care. she linked her arms through Olivia's pulling her towards the cafeteria.
"I heard we have a surprise quiz in history today" harper said with a wink " But I am not worried , I have got the answers".
Olivia laughed softly shaking her head, she wished she had this type of confidence.
As they entered the cafeteria savannah was already sitting at their usual table. she glanced up when they arrived her piercing green eyes scanned Olivia face before giving her a knowing smile.
" you looked tired ," savannah said pushing a half eaten sandwich on the table towards Olivia. "eat something".
" I am fine" Olivia said though she wasn't sure she believed her self
" maybe so, but you are not fooling anyone " Savannah said rasing an eye brow " we see you liv you don't have to pretend around us".
Olivia didn't respond right away .Her fingers traced slow circles on the table top. it wasn't that she didn't want to talk _ it was that she didn't even know where to begin.
Savannah glanced around and then leaned in slightly, her voice lowering. "Actually… there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
Harper perked up. "Oh? Is this the thing you heard in the staff room?"
Savannah nodded. "Yesterday, I was dropping off a late slip in the office, and the door to the staff room was open just a crack. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop—"
"You totally were," Harper teased, nudging her.
Savannah rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I heard Mrs. Haven talking to Mr. Boyd. She said the day before phoenix disappeared Phoenix came into the library looking for a book on… reproduction. Like, health stuff."
Olivia's eyebrows lifted. "That's... weird."
"Right?" Savannah leaned in even closer. "Mrs. Haven said Phoenix looked really shaken. She got a phone call while she was there, and after she answered it, she just—bolted. Didn't even check out the book."
Olivia's stomach clenched. Her sister had never mentioned anything like that. "Where did she go?"
"That's the part that creeped me out," Savannah said, her voice dropping even lower. "Phoenix told Mrs. Haven she was going to Tessa Monroe's house… to study for a biology test."
Harper made a face. "Phoenix studying with Tessa? That's the most unbelievable part of this entire story."
"I know," Savannah whispered. "But Mrs. Haven sounded serious. She said Phoenix looked terrified."
Olivia's throat tightened. There were too many cracks in the story, too many moments that didn't add up. Her sister had been scared—and no one had done anything.
The silence that followed was thick.
Then Olivia spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
"She never said anything to me."
Olivia,eyes flicking toward the table where Lex and Tessa were now sitting, laughing like everything was fine.
She had a feeling the answer was a lot darker than she was ready for.
And she wasn't going to stop until she found it.
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