Elaine couldn't sleep that night, she kept tossing on the bed before finally giving up and pulled down the blankets.
"I shouldn't have slept in the afternoon" she said to herself.
She got off the bed and walked to the window, looking through it, students were still roaming the around which made her turn to look at the clock, it was nine o' clock and curfew was at 12 o' clock.
Instead of staying at the room and waiting for a far fetched sleep to come, she decided to go outside.
She sat in front of the dorm building and watched other students come and go, with some still outside with their friends, she had thought of meeting June before coming outside, but then June wasn't a night owl, she was mostly at sleep by ten.
She saw someone wave at her, noticing it was Carla, one of her basketball buddies, she waved back with a smile on her face.
She decided to take a walk instead of sitting idly.
She sighed loudly as the breeze felt nice against her skin, the walk was quiet and refreshing, she didn't stroll where there were too many people as the noise would make her feel more alive instead of drowsy.
Her eyes had begun to feel heavy, she was about to turn back to the dorm when she saw two people she was fairly familiar with.
Allan and Derek.
She had to wonder what they were talking about as they didn't seem close, they could even pass as enemies to her.
"Why was it that whenever she saw the both of them, they always looked they were about to have a fist fight" she thought to herself.
She adverted her gaze and went on her way.
*******
The next day went well, Elaine was currently walking with Gwen, as they were coming from the Admin's building, apparently Elaine had asked June to accompany her, but June refused stating how she didn't like going there and other irrelevant things, to make her feel better, June had asked Gwen to follow her, and surprisingly she agreed.
"I can't believe he wasn't really going to mark those questions" Elaine said
"It was quite obvious, there are over two hundred questions there, if it was a hassle for you, it would also be for him" Gwen said in a flat tone.
"Well thanks for the tip" she said, but Gwen only answered with the lazy wave of her hand.
They were interrupted when they heard the voice of someone, probably a staff through the emergency speaker around the school saying
"All students should head to the odditorium" again and again.
"Why?" Elaine asked
"How'd you expect me to know" Gwen answered.
Getting there, it was really crowded as many students were outside, some had gone inside, while some stayed outside the building not bothered about what was going to be announced, Elaine and Gwen had to struggle their way inside.
"Move!" Gwen yelled loudly at a guy who was at the entrance.
Seriously Elaine couldn't understand why Gwen was suddenly being violent.
As they entered, Elaine had to admire the interior, it was so huge, it was a three storey building, with mahogany chairs and a high platform at the front with a wide projector and red curtains.
Gwen took them to the third railing as she didn't want to stay at the ground floor.
"I can't see June anywhere" Elaine said her eyes moving across the vast crowd below them.
"How do you expect to find someone, with the number of students gathered" Gwen asked in a slightly harsh tone.
After a few minutes, everybody was already seated and the odditorium had become quiet, but the chatters from outside could still be heard.
"Good afternoon students, a lanky male teacher who was standing on the high platform greeted, to not waste anyone's time, there has been a report of a missing student, he said giving a dramatic pause letting the news sink in, his sharp eyes surveying the vast crowd as if looking for someone, Derek Westein, he added making Elaine's eyes widen from where she sat.
When she heard a student was missing, she hadn't expected it to be someone she knew, and now she was more thank worried.
Derek's picture appeared on the big screen as he continued, "he was last seen on Thursday's afternoon, if anyone sees him or knows something concerned his whereabouts, please report to the Administration building, have a wonderful day" he concluded going behind the curtains.
And like that, the noise began ad students began talking about it, Elaine and Gwen were still seated, both not bothering to stand up for different reasons.
Elaine turned to look at Gwen, but she just slouched lazily on the chair with her eyes closed, she didn't seem to be bothered about what was announced, but on a closer look, one would see her fists clenched tightly and her jaw working.
"Gwe-
"Let's leave " she said cutting her off as she stood up roughly and began walking away, Elaine had to follow her quickly in order not to get swept away by the vast crowd.