“Has anybody seen Rachael?”

“Has anybody seen Rachael lately?”

Fred’s message in the group chat got Rebecca's attention. She too had been worried that her best friend hadn't made any appearance as of late.

“It’s been two weeks since I last heard from her. Think I’ll drop by her house today and check on her.”

Everyone had been a bit worried. Rachael had completely disappeared off the face of the earth the last two weeks. She hadn’t shown up to any lectures or classes, nor had she texted anyone. At first Fred thought she decided to ghost him, but after confirming that no one had seen her it became even more worrying.

Rebecca knocked on the door, hoping to find that everything was fine and that there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for her disappearance. It was Mrs. Simmons who opened the door.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re here Rebecca. Rachael has been in a major slump” the woman spoke, seemingly hopeful Rebecca could help shake away Rachael’s funk.

“She’s barely spoke a word for the past two weeks. She’s still going to class, but it makes me wonder if something’s happening at the school. Bullying at that age isn’t unheard of, I suppose… Maybe some boyfriend drama?”

Still going to class? Rachael certainly hadn’t come to class the last two weeks, but Rebecca decided to keep that to herself for now. Although Rachael lying certainly made Rebecca more uneasy. She couldn't recall a single time that Rachael had lied...

“I’m not sure, Mrs. Simmons, but I can try to talk to her and cheer her up.”

“Thanks so much, Rebecca.”

The Simmons ushered Rebecca to Rachaels door. Rebecca knocked. She heard a slight rustling and then a “mmphf”.

“It’s me, Rebecca. I’m coming in.”

The room was dark, and there was a bit of clutter here and there. Unwashed dishes and the like. It wasn't enough to be complained about, but Rachael usually kept all her things tidy and sorted. What the hell was going on? Rebecca closed the door behind her and flicked on the light. Rachael was lying in the bed, her long blonde hair a complete mess.

"Rachael, what's going on? Where have you been?" The girl stay silent, now hiding her head under her pillow. Rebecca grabbed hold of the blanket and gave a serious tug, ripping it right off the girl. Rachael was barely dressed, wearing only her panties and a sports bra. The girl let out a startled yelp, which Rebecca mistook for fear of being exposed.

"What the hell, Rachael? It's 2 in the afternoon. Get dressed, we need to talk." Rebecca was a bit surprised as Rachael got up and got dressed without the slightest hesitation or shy demeanor, but she brushed it off. Rachael put on some shorts and a loose crop top then sat down on the bed. Rebecca hadn't seen these clothes before. Had Rachael done some shopping?

"So, like, what do you want?" Rachael asked bluntly. The girls hair was messy to the point that it would be comical, except that on Rachael it was nothing but off putting. Rebecca focused up, getting to the point.

"We've been worried about you, Rachael. Fred especially. Why haven't you texted? And why haven't you been coming to class?"

"Hang on, like, why are you calling me that? You totally sound like my mom. Just call me ****, it's cuter." What in the actual fuck? Rebecca could not believe what she was hearing. Did Rachael, who used to hate being called anything other than Rachael, just insist on being called ****? Rebecca's worry grew.

"Fine, whatever. ****. Just answer my questions. Where have you been?"

"Like, obviously, I've been here." Rachael gestured to the room.

"Your mom says you've been going to classes, but we both know that isn't true. What have you really been up to?" Rachael froze, clearly unsure what lie she could tell to explain this. To Rebecca it seemed like the girl was desperately trying to think fast and failing horribly.

"Okay, grab a bag and some clothes. You're coming to stay the night at my place and you're going to tell me everything. We need somewhere we can really just talk. Some where that isn't here. We don’t need your parents hearing anything they shouldn’t.”

Rachael begrudgingly packed an over night bag.