Next day , we're told a very shocking news . Richard has gone missing . It sounds so unreal . We all just saw him yesterday. I glance over to Luke . Does.....he have something to do with this .

" so , if any of you know something or heard something about him , please inform me or any other teacher "

Just then Luke nervously raises his hand " umm we walked home yesterday " he says

" and ? Do you live on the same street ? "

" we dont . Thats why half way after , we went on separate paths . Im not sure where exactly his house is though "

" i see , do the police know this ? "

" yes , they questioned me about it "

" very well then . Lets begin our lesson "

No . Somethings off . Definitely. Its all too strange for him to JUST disappear. I have a nagging feeling Luke is hiding something. I look over at him and....there it is again . That worm thing inside his neck . It slithers in his neck and then goes down his chest . It still gives me the creeps . I look around . How come no one saw that! Everyone seems to be busy with their work .

At P.E , while im resting on the ground . I keep my eyes on Luke . The ' thing ' hasent appeared yet .

" this is getting weirder and weirder " says sasha , next to me .

" you really should do something about this , Jess " insists Emily

" what do i do ? I need to know more about him and i have a suspicion that hes got something to do with Richards disappearance "

" get closer to him " says sasha

" thats the only way you could know " Emily says with a grin . I simply nod my head

Its very hot today . Im drowning in sweat! I get up and walk over towards the water taps . As i wash my face , i feel a tap on my shoulder . I turn to find Luke holding a cold water bottle. Keep calm .

" thanks " i say and drink up .

" i always find you alone " he giggles

" my friends are back there " i answer

" oh i see "

" by the way , what you told the teacher today about Richard . Was that really all of it ? "

" you think im hiding something ? " he questions . I give my silence as an answer and he gets it

" no . Im not hiding anything and that was all of it " . For some reason , i still dont believe him

" hey , can i ask you something ? " he asks

" yes ? "

" i feel like you've been distancing yourself from me lately . Did i do something to make you upset ? " he asks . I look at his eyes . They seem to be staring right at me . I...feel like i dont wanna look away . Ever .

" no really its nothing . Its just how i am . " i just laugh

" oh ok , phew i thought it must be something big . " he holds out his hand for me to shake . " see ya "

I shake it . As soon as i do . I regret it . That ' thing ' was inside his hand and i could FEEL it slithering inside it . I let go of his hand with a yelp .

" what is that!? " i yell at him

He looks at it . The thing isnt there anymore .

" what are you trying to say ? "

" those things crawling inside you "

He looks at me and then snickers " your kinda funny " and just turns to leave .

" why wont you tell me! " i grab his sleave careful not to touch his skin

" look i have no idea what your talking about , i gotta go now " he shrugs my hand off and runs away .

Now what ? Why wont he tell me , i literally saw and even felt it this time . I walk back to where i was sitting before . Then Beth walks up to me and sits beside me .

" you were back there for awhile now " she says . The atmosphere seems to be tense .

" yeah , so ? "

She glares at me " what were you and luke doing there " now i understand whats going on . This is gonna be annoying

" talking "

" about what ? "

" nothing important "

" i saw you guys yesterday at the gate too . "

" he asked to walk home together " i say And amusingly watch as she grits her teeth .

" listen Jess . I think of you as my close friend . And i dont have any antagonistic feelings towards you . So please , stay away from Luke . I've had my eyes on him first " she says . The frustration in her is obvious.

" dont worry , i dont think about him like that . And word of advice , you shouldn't get close to him either " i say and get up . After that i leave her in her own thoughts .

Next day arrives and theres still no sign of Richard anywhere . Everyone still supports Luke alot . Helping him with work , bringing him lunch , protecting him from bullies etc . He gets along really well with the class now . Despite all that , they dont think of him as a helpless baby . Weird .

After school ends i dident directly go home . Mom gave me a list of books to get from the bookstore a few blocks away from school . While im at the bookstore searching , i wonder if Luke lives nearby . I hand the books to the cashier . While hes busy checking i suddenly catch a glimpse of Luke and someone else pass by the bookstore from the display window .

" wait! Miss! " the cashier calls me as i run towards the door and look out . Luke is with someone . From this distance i think its Agatha . they are both talking and entering a house few houses away . After they go in i walk back to the cashier

" sir , do you know a boy named Luke Matthews that lives in this street ? " he thinks for a second then snaps his fingers

" Ah yeah i know him . Comes here Sometimes . Really nice boy "

" and his parents ? "

" he told me they live abroad . Who are you anyway ? "

" oh im just a friend . Hes so secretive he wont tell me anything about him " i laugh

He gives me the books and i leave . On my way to the bus stop , i take one last look at his house . Lights are on . Wonder what they are upto . After that , i walk back to the bus stop .