Gif is of Liv :) 

It was when the first bell went that I closed my book and put my pen away but a girl next to me giggled and whispered, "What are you doing?"

"Wasn't that the bell?" I raised an eyebrow.

She sighed, "This is a double."

"What's a double?"

"A double period," she rolled her eyes, "It goes for the first and second period."

"Oh," I said numbly, "Fun."

I unpacked my things and got my book back out. 

Thankfully, the next time the bell went, we were able to leave. I packed my things away into my bag - they chose not to have lockers at this school for some reason - and hooked it over my shoulder. 

Jeremy, the boy from before class, reached my desk and beamed at me, "So I was wondering if, because you're new and stuff, if you needed anyone to sit with?"

"With... at what?" I cocked my head. Right now I felt completely out-of-place. I had an old regime that I stuck to and now that was unstuck. 

"At recess," Jeremy said. 

My gaze shifted to see Ezra leaning against his desk. We were the last three in here. Ezra didn't look as shy anymore but, instead, he was intensely glaring at his feet as if there was something there other than the floor. 

"Violet?" Jeremy repeated, "Did you wanna sit with us at recess or what?"

"Oh, sorry," I zoned back to his question, "Uh, I already told two people this morning that I'd... sit with them."

"Oh," he looked slightly taken aback, "O-okay..."

I smiled shyly as I walked past them, out of the classroom, "Thanks, though."

True to their word, Kristy and Mark were standing under the shade of a massive tree. Kristy seemed to be blabbering on about something whilst Mark threw her furtive glances every now and then. 

I approached them, hearing the end of Kristy's sentence, "-texting me through Maths. Apparently, Jeremy Asher and that weird friend of his tried to talk to Violet."

"What's wrong with that?" Mark sighed loudly.

"You tell me," she rolled her eyes dramatically, "I thought you were the one that didn't want to interact with those two."

"Things change," he muttered.

"What things?" she narrowed her eyes on her boyfriend. 

I chose this moment to give Mark a 'saved by the bell' moment and walked up, "Hey, you two."

Kristy turned a brilliant smile on me, "Violet. So you are gonna hang out with us?"

"That's why I'm here," I chuckled softly.

"Cool," Kristy said, "I heard that you were invited to sit with Asher and his friend. Lucky you didn't bail on us."

"Why's that lucky?" I cocked my head. It almost sounded like a death threat, the way she'd said it.

"Because they're total geeks," she shuddered, "They just barely made it onto the rugby team this year."

Mark let out a short sigh, "Ezra's actually pretty good at rugby, Kris."

Kristy crossed her arms, "Yeah but he's not the captain, is he?"

Mark narrowed his eyes at her but remained silent.

"That's what I thought," she smirked and then turned to me, "Mark's the captain and has been since last year. He's the best player in Crestview."

"Well done," I said to him.

Mark barely acknowledged me as Kristy continues, "And then, out of the blue, last holidays, we saw Ezra kick a rugby ball through the posts from halfway. He's not even fit, for gods' sakes."

He can kick a rugby ball from halfway? I don't play sports, yet even I know that's impressive. 

Mark leant against the tree and scowled, "He's good. But last season he sucked. Out of nowhere he's just gotten better. Did you hear what happened last week Kristy?"

She rolled her eyes, "'Did I hear what happened last week?' Are you kidding me? I know everything that happens in this shitty town," Kristy turned her gaze on me, "That guy stood up to Mark. Mark said for him to get out of his way and the boy turned around and snapped, 'I don't know what your problem is, Thompson, but I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd leave me alone'."

Ezra said that? But he seems so quiet. Jeremy even said that he goes mute around other people. 

"He was probably just in a bad mood," Mark murmured, "But I'd never seen him act like that."

"You coming to Rosie's after school?"

I blinked at the sudden change of subject, "What?"

"Rosie's," Kristy repeated, "You're telling me you've been here for two days and you haven't been to Rosie's?"

"I've haven't gone anywhere, really, except the grocery store," I blushed.

"Rosie's is this really cute sweet shop around the corner," Kristy explained, "Everyone goes there."

"Mark!" another voice called and I watched as Kristy's boyfriend perked up instantly. 

He mock-saluted us before running off to meet with another guy.

"That's Eric Quan," Kristy gestured to the boy, "Mark's best friend."

"He doesn't hang out with you?" I raised an eyebrow.

"God, no," Kristy wrinkled her nose, "I'd hate to be the only girl in a group of three. Eric's the only other person in the school that likes Mark at all. Everyone else thinks he's too... violent."

"Is he violent?"

"Of course," she shrugged, "He gets into fights all the time."

"Right," I nodded slowly, "And your friends?"

"Opal's in Hawaii," Kristy sighed, "And Rach is sick."

I nodded slowly.

Kristy asked, "So, are you coming to Rosie's or not?"

"Why not?" I shrugged, "I've got nothing else to do."

"Cool. We'll sort the details out at lunch, kohai."

The bell rang as she finished her sentence and she sashayed off. I furrowed my eyebrows. She knows Japanese? 

I took my timetable out of my bag and examined it. Next was Advanced English. How the hell did I get into Advanced English? I can barely write legitimate sentences. 

I put the timetable back and made my way to the same building again but stood outside E1. 

"Violet, right?" a soft voice asked me. 

I spun on my heels and faced Ezra. 

I grinned, "Yeah. I'm glad you remembered, Ezra."

He blushed slightly, "Sorry for being, and I quote, a 'mute' before."

"Don't worry," I shrugged, "At least, you're speaking now."

Ezra leant against the brick wall and nodded, "I guess... You're from England, right?"

"I am," I grinned, "London actually. You're plain Australian?"

"I was born in Crestview, grew up in Crestview, too, but my mum's from Spain. Dad's Australian."

"So you're Spanish?" I asked, entranced, "That's so cool."

He smiled briefly at me, "You think?"

"Can you speak Spanish?" I asked.

He dropped his head and muttered something I couldn't hear. 

"Excuse me?"

He repeated a little louder, "It's the only subject I'm failing."

"Well, that's ironic," I smirked the tiniest bit.

Ezra rolled his eyes infinitesimally.

"So are you coming to Rosie's?"

"What?" his eyes met mine and I gulped at the intensity of them. They were a cute chocolate brown but they looked at me as if they could see straight through me. 

I repeated, "A-are you coming to Rosie's? Kristy said everyone goes there."

"You're hanging with Kristy and Mark?" he asked quietly.

I nodded slowly, "Yeah. Kristy's a little annoying, though... and Mark's kind of scary."

Ezra smirked and I saw his eyes light up, "No. I'm not coming to Rosie's. Jeremy hates it there."

"Why?"

"Because only the, again I quote, 'popular' kids go there. You being invited means you're in."

"Like a cult," I remarked.

"You could say that again," Ezra rolled his eyes, "I, uh... yeah."

There was that slight stumble in his sentences again. At least we had a conversation.

The teacher came and unlocked the door, "Welcome class."

Ezra barely nodded his head at me before walking into the classroom. 

So shy little Ezra wasn't too shy then.

***

Kristy whined, "Do we have to wait for your sister? Can't she walk home herself?"

I sighed at her impatience, "Yeah; I just have to tell her that I won't be walking home with her."

"You're not?" Liv's voice asked. She walked into my line of vision with a small smile, "That's okay. I think I know the way back myself."

"You sure?" I double-checked.

She nodded, "And if I get lost... it's a small town. It won't take too long to find me."

I let out a small laugh at her optimism. I said, "Okay. I'll be home later, then."

Liv walked off, leaving me and Kristy. 

Kristy pouted, "Can we go now?"

I nodded, "Yes, we can."

Kristy sighed, "Good because I was starting to get annoyed."

Yeah, get a taste of your own medicine.

"Sorry," was what I said aloud though.

I spotted Jeremy and Ezra talking beneath a tree near the front of the school and frowned. They both had serious expressions and were talking fast-paced from what I could tell. 

The boy from this morning... Aaron, I think his name was, approached them with a grin and suddenly Ezra moved his position and Jeremy brightened, joking about something.

What on earth had they been discussing that was so serious? Did they not want Aaron to find out something? 

"Hurry up, Vi, or all the good lounges will get taken!" Kristy called to me and I rushed after her.

Lounges?

***

Rosie's was literally around the corner. It was a retro-themed diner with brick walls and graffiti on the sides as if it was supposed to be there. A small sign outside said Feel Free to Graffiti. No Cuss Allowed. Who does that? 

Kristy led me inside to where dozens of leather lounges were scattered with coffee tables between them. Teenagers had taken over the place, basically. 

I spotted Mark talking with a group of guys including Eric. Kristy was already halfway there so I quickly hurried after her whilst trying to keep some grace in my step. 

Mark's eyes flitted up and back down when we approached but the other's stayed up. 

Eric nodded his head, "Hey Kristy."

"Eric," she smiled, "other guys. Mark."

She sat down in the space between Mark and Eric, leaving me to sit between two unknown faces. Kristy gestured, "Boys, this is Violet Smith. Recent transfer from London."

"London Academy?" the boy on my right asked, seemingly defensive.

"No," I shook my head, interrupting whatever Kristy was gonna say, "London, England. It's nice to meet you all."

I can speak for myself, after all. 

"I'm James," the boy on my right said.

"Harry," the one on my left introduced. 

The next few moments were a fluster of names that I've already forgotten. 

Mark muttered, "They're all players on the team."

"Except for me," Eric raised two fingers.

"Right," Kristy fake-mused, "Because you prefer... what's it again?"

Eric rolled his eyes, "Peace. Like you would know what that is. You prefer publicly humiliating other girls."

A few guys chortled.

Kristy scowled, "I don't humiliate them. I try and help them out."

"By saying they could afford to lose a few pounds?" Mark raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend.

Kristy slapped his chest, "Oi, leave me alone."

"So, Violet," James asked, "Did Kristy pay you to hang out with her?"

I shook my head, "No. She just offered, that's all."

"And you said 'yes'?" Harry asked, dumbstruck. 

I let a little giggle escape, "Are you guys always this mean to Kristy?"

Kristy scowled, "Like you wouldn't believe."

"Like, like, like, like," Eric said in a high falsetto.

She rolled her eyes.

"What's up with the eye roll anyway?" Harry scoffed, "Your eyes may get stuck up there one day."

Kristy narrowed her eyes at Harry, "Do you always believe what your parents tell you?"

Harry shrugged, "Keeps me in their good books."

"Right," she said with thick sarcasm.

"Hey, I don't see you driving around in a car."

Kristy's jaw tightened and muttered, "I'm done with you guys. See you tomorrow."

"Kris!" Mark said, suddenly speaking up for her when she stood up.

Kristy flipped her hair and faced him, "Forget dinner tomorrow."

A few boys oohed as she strutted away.

I bit my lip, suddenly feeling very awkward, "Uh... should I be...?"

Mark shook his head, "Leave her. She needs some space to cool down."

I shrugged and stood up, "I've got to get home anyway. Thanks, guys."

They all said some form of farewell as I smoothed down the plaid skirt of my uniform, walking out of the cafe.

I walked slowly down the street, feeling the heat rush onto my skin. I could practically feel myself burning. I tucked my hair behind my ears and turned onto my street, Belville Avenue. I walked into the unlocked house and my mum poked her head around the kitchen door, "There you are! I've been waiting for ages. School does get out at three, right?"

"Yeah," I nodded, "I just stopped by this cute cafe with a friend."

"A friend?" Mum cocked her head, "Where's Liv?"

"She isn't home, yet?" I felt everything slow down around me.

Mum shook her head slowly, turning into scary-Mum mode, "No. I thought she was with you."

"Crap," I whispered, "She said she knew the way home... I'll go find her."

I heard my Mum yelling after me but I'd already dumped my bag on the floor and run up the driveway. I ran back the way we'd walked to school this morning, looking left and right. 

Liv wasn't entirely stable at the moment. Actually, scratch that. Liv was hopelessly lost at the moment in her own life. Anything could have happened. 

I ran past Rosie's and a library before finding myself on what I imagined was the edge of town - a forest. I went to turn back the way I'd come before something caught my eyes, causing me to freeze. I walked slowly over to the backpack leaning against a tree a few metres into the forest. 

I bent down to examine it. The backpack was like every other school bag issued by Crestview High School but Liv's favourite peace keyring was hanging from it. Slowly, I undid the middle zip and regrettably found her pencil case and books. 

I stood up and looked around, my heart falling. She could be anywhere in this forest. 

Now, the responsible thing to do would be to call the police, however, I left my phone in my bag at the new house... and I wasn't sure if I had a time limit on finding Liv. 

***

Song: Amnesia - Guy Sebastian

Follow me on Insta: amateurinresidence :)

Please vote and remember to comment --> tell me what you thought about this chapter, please! 

xx Sharky.