Chapter 7
As the bell rang, signaling the end of school, Anna decided to find the others before heading home. However she was having no luck until she went to Dr. Oliver's class. When she arrived at the door, she politely knocked.
"Come in." came the reply.
"Hey, Dr. O, I was wondering-" She trailed off when she saw the person sitting across from her science teacher.
"Jason, what are you doing here?"
"Talking with your teacher." Jason replied with a smile.
"Why, what did I do?"
"Nothing, you know Tommy and I go way back, just thought I would come visit him."
"Oh."
"So Anna, what were you wondering?" Tommy asked.
"Have you seen the others?"
"Not since they left class this morning. Why?"
"I was just wondering. No specific reason."
"If you're looking for Ethan or Kira, you probably won't find them, they usually go straight home. Conner, however, should be at the soccer field, I think he had practice today."
A small smile crossed Anna's face.
"Thanks Dr. O. I'll see you tonight right?"
"Yeah, I'll be there."
"OK, bye. See you later Jason."
"Take care Anna."
(At The Soccer Field)
As Anna walked to the soccer field she saw the very familiar figure of Conner McKnight kicking the soccer ball into the goal.
She knew that he was the star soccer player and he needed to practice profusely in order to keep that label. However, while
watching him for a few minutes, she saw something in his approach that looked very foreign. He seemed distracted and it was
evident in his kicks. While they all made it into the goal, he was clearly frustrated. She took the time to carefully walk
up to him and get his attention.
"Hey Conner." Anna said casually.
At the sound of the voice, Conner turned around to see Anna standing a few feet away from him.
"Hey Anna, what's up?"
"I thought maybe you could tell me. You seem distracted."
"I am.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, it started in first period. Dr. O. looked completely out of it and then you went to talk to him and he got even more distant.
Then I met with Ethan after lunch and he seemed different. I don't know how exactly but just different. I haven't talked to
Kira since first period and even that wasn't much. It was almost like she was avoiding me for some reason and I haven't done
anything to upset her. I just have this feeling that something is going on and I am left out in the cold."
"Why don't you just ask them about it?"
"I can't. Ethan and Dr. O won't give me a straight answer and Kira would tell me that I'm reading too much into it."
"I wish I could help you but I don't know what's going on."
"Thanks anyway. What made you come out here and find me when you know that I'll be at Hayley's tonight and you could talk to me then?"
"I didn't feel like going home just yet and I wanted to talk to a friend."
"About anything, in particluar?"
"No, just to talk and keep me occupied."
"Am I doing that?"
"Yeah. You are."
"Do you know what Kira's performance is going to be like tonight, she said it was going to be different but she wouldn't say anything else about it. Usually, she tells us what to expect but she's been pretty tight-lipped about this one for some reason."
"She hasn't said anything about it to me."
"Well, what about what Dr. O. said at the end of class this morning, something about a memorable trip to Hayley's. Do you know anything about that?"
"Nope. I guess we'll just have to be there to find out, won't we Conner?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"So, I'll see you tonight, right?"
"Oh yeah, I'll be there. Front row, right in front of the stage, cheering Kira on."
"Alright, Conner. I got to get going or my mom will start worrying about me."
"Okay, take care Anna, and I'll see you tonight."
"You better show up."
"I'll save you a spot right next to me."
"Thanks but I won't need it."
With that, Anna walked away from Conner with a smile on her face.
"Okay, now I know something's going on. But what? Oh well, I guess I'll find out tonight." Conner said to himself as he started walking to the parking lot to find his mustang and head home. As he opened the car door and sat in the drivers seat, he hesitated for a brief second before starting the car and driving out of Reefside High's parking lot, unknowingly leaving behind everything he thought he knew.
TBC.