Finally, the last day of school.

I am really looking forward to today.

It's my first last day without who shall not be named. And I am really excited.

What a year it was. A peaceful year. No drama.

"Naomi?" I hear my dad whispering behind my closed door.

I open my door with such a force that my dad stumbles a bit.

"Ah, you're awake." I show him my back bag so that he knows that I am ready to leave too.

I walk past him, he adds then "and ready to leave. Waw. I didn't expect it."

"It's her last day of school, Dad. Of course, she is ready, " my little sister Lara explains while skipping the stairs, still half asleep.

"That's true." My dad and I say in unison.

"I packed for both of you sandwiches, they're on the breakfast table. Unless you want to eat now and I can make you other ones?"

"Tough luck Dad," Lara says.

"Maybe, next time Dad," I say at the same time.

"But you will eat them, please. Or else your mom wouldn't believe that I took good care of you while she is gone." I whisper with him the last sentence because by now, I know it by heart.

"When is she coming back anyways?" Lara asks annoyed.

"Soon," I reassure her and pat her shoulder. I hand her the sandwiches that my Dad made. Honestly, I prefer his sandwiches more than Mom's because he always tries to be creative. Mom's are healthy. His are creative and definitely not healthy. Perks of being the daughter of an artist and a Doctor.

"Will you let me borrow your slam book today Mi?"

My sister always calls me Mi, especially if she needs a favor. When she was a kid, she didn't know how to pronounce my whole name. So she just called Mi. And it stuck.

"No Lara. I need it today. Since it's my last day. You can borrow it tomorrow. And I already told you that you should make your own. You can't keep on taking mine. It's not right."

"It's not only yours."

Don'tmentionhim.
Don'tmentionhim.
Don'tmentionhim.

I repeat in my head like a mantra.

"It's Elijah's too"

and she did it. She mentioned him.

"Is he here?" I directly answer my own question. "No, he is not. And it's not his and it was never for the both of us. It had always been mine and mine only." I finish without taking a breath.

"God, relax. I am sorry. Can I just check the last question you have added?"

I nod and I give her my backpack for her to search for it.

I should have not given her anything but I am angry. Maybe a bit sad. I don't know. The mere mention of who shall not be named makes me anxious. I am glad he is gone.

She rummages through my backpack, and after a moment or two, she tells me that it's not there.

I search through my backpack for it, it's true. It's not there.

I bolt to my room. I check my nightstand, my closet, my bed, and under the bed. I can't find it.

Nonononononono.

This can't be happening. Nononono.

I go check in my bathroom.

It's not there.

I was going to give the book to
Saul King, today. I was hoping that he would take a hint and know finally that I like him.

As I stare at myself in the mirror, I jump in surprise when Lara comes into view.

"Mi, the bus is here. Let's go."

"But I can't find it," I mutter.

"It's okay. Of course, it's in the school with Helena."

I doubt. I don't remember giving it to Helena. I had it yesterday. Just before I went to sleep I was reading through it.

"And if it's not?" I ask, my stomach is twisting.

"It should be here somewhere," she reassures me.

654 words