I was bored this weekend, so I wrote a LOT for this book. I'm on Chapter 6. I know that doesn't sound like much, but some of these chapters are long. Expect updates this week! Yay, updates!

Onwards and enjoy, my lovelies~

Thursday, October 26th

Estela:

My mom told me I had missed enough school, so I was forced to go. She promised to let me know if any new developments happen, and that she'd pick me up immediately. I accepted, even though I had no choice in the matter.

At school, I was known for my ability to get along with anyone, unlike socially awkward Veronica, whom was ignored on a regular basis when not being called 'mean'. She told me time and time again that she didn't want to try getting along with people. Except me.

I couldn't stay focused on my work. My mind kept wondering back over to the investigation in progress. Already, I'd been interviewed several times, but my story never changed: I was asleep, waiting for V to text me, which she hadn't done that Tuesday.

Since they couldn't charge me with anything, the police have kept their distance. I don't know how, but the word was out that I was a suspect in her disappearance. Kids whispered as I passed, lowering their voices. Some seemed to look my way, while others sneered.

As I was digging in my locker, somebody tapped my shoulder. I turned around eagerly, but was greeted by Laura instead of V. Hiding my disappointment wasn't easy.

"Hey, Estela," she said, her group of friends behind her. "I heard about Varity-"

"Veronica," I corrected.

"-Veronica. Don't feel too bad about it. She's just trying to get attention or whatever. She's probably up in some tree, waiting for the best time to come back."

The girls giggled, a few agreeing with their queen bee. Slowly, I shut my locker door, putting the combo lock on it.

"Don't talk about her like that," I growled.

The brunette gave me a nasty smirk.

"Does that mean you know where she is? I suppose you were the one who kidnapped her, then. Quick, someone call the cops! Estela admitted to it!"

They all laughed again, a few calling out with fake fear for passer-bys to summon the authorities. They all stopped after I punched that bitch in her smug face.

"You don't know shit! The next time I hear any of you so much as whisper her name or insult her, I'll have a real reason to be sent to jail for killing the person who said it. Got it?"

Laura held a hand to her bleeding nose, which dripped over her girly outfit and the white floors. Her posse held her up, running off to tell a teacher. I flexed my hand to get rid of the sting. I was going to be in trouble, but I wasn't about to let people talk about Veronica like that. She wasn't the one who chose to leave.

I was called into the principal's office. When I arrived, Laura stepped out, her nose and most of her face stained pink. She saw me and flinched away, hurrying down the hall. I heard Mr. Allen call me in.

"Please, have a seat, Miss Soledad."

I sat in one of the two chairs available. He shuffled around some paperwork before lacing his fingers together and resting them on top of his desk. He was looking at me with sympathy and slight worry.

"I hear you attacked Miss Shires."

"I only punched her once."

"That doesn't make it better."

"She deserved it, sir, and I'm not going to apologize."

"Now, now. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I know you're going through a lot right now, but we simply cannot allow such actions to go unpunished."

"But, sir!-"

"I am well aware of what she said. She shouldn't have, but YOU'RE the one who got physical. You could have come to me instead of taking matters into your own hands. Codwell School District does not tolerate violence. That's why I'm suspending you for two weeks."

"But, sir, that's no-"

"I've made up my mind. I've called your father to pick you up. Go wait in the lobby until he gets here. You're dismissed."

Groaning, I grabbed my stuff and went where I was told to go. It didn't take long for Dad to get there, and boy, was he pissed. He said nothing until we got into the car. His face was red, and so were his ears.

"I can't BELIEVE you," he yelled while driving. "Do you have ANY IDEA how the police will look at this?! It'll make you seem impulsive! That would be a sign that you get violent with people. They already think you killed your best friend. Do you WANT to get arrested, Estela?! What's wrong with you?!"

Sniffling, I wiped away my tears. My head was bowed so he couldn't see them. The ride home consisted of more yelling and punishments being listed. I hadn't been paying attention to him, though.

It was as if my entire life was crumbling around me in slow motion. First my friend disappears without a trace, then the police blame me, people are assuming the worst about me, and now my father was calling me stupid and ignorant.

Could life get crappier?

Saturday, October 28th

I should really shut my mouth.

Turns out that my little outburst Thursday gave cops reason to think I could have potentially blown up on Veronica if she set me off. They said I had a short fuse, and could be a danger to my family.

The court granted them permission to formally interrogate me, so I spent a lot of Friday at the Police Station in a cold room with one desk, two chairs, and a large glass window that couldn't be looked through on my side.

Officer Brian was the first to question me. He had come in alone, two Styrofoam cup in either hand. He set one in front of me as he sat in the empty seat.

"Hope you like hot chocolate," he smiled, taking a sip of his own. "So, I was informed about the incident at school. Want to tell me what happened?"

"Laura was saying stuff about Veronica," I replied while clenching my teeth.

"And what did she say?"

"That Veronica was trying to get attention."

"Then what happened?"

"I told her to stop."

"Did she?"

"No."

"What did you do?"

"She said that I was the one who took Veronica, and they laughed, so I punched her."

"Why'd you do that?"

"Because I don't like people talking about her like that. None of this was her fault."

"Then whose fault is it?" He sat forward in his chair, putting his elbows on the table.

"I don't know."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"Are you lying?"

"No!"

"Tell the truth."

"I AM telling you the truth!"

That went on for a while until he was removed. They sent in another cop, this one was much more demanding, yelling and occasionally slamming his fists on the metal table. He started to try and guilt-trip me, saying how bad V's parents were talking her disappearance, talking about how she'd never grow up if she died, and how friends were supposed to help each other.

I protested so much that I lost my voice, then I used gestures –nodding or shaking my head, hand movements, shrugs, etc.- to respond. By Saturday morning, I was exhausted. So were the officers. They eventually released me back into my parents' custody, saying how I couldn't leave town for any reason so they could find me again.

Everyone seemed wary around me. Their eyes shifted, never settling directly on me for long. Their tones were shaky and brittle when addressing me as if afraid to provoke me. No one wanted to stay alone in a room with me, always muttering excuses to leave the room.

I was amazed that so many people thought I could betray Veronica like that, like I was some kind of monster. They acted like I had been this sulking, angry, and spiteful person who was quick to snap at everyone, completely forgetting all the good things I've done for them and her.

I just wanted it all to end already…