“I need to report a missing person!” A
familiar voice. “My friend, Ashley! She’s been
gone for two days!”
My best friend, Chloe also my classmate
was talking to an officer in the station lobby.
She said she couldn’t reach me, that I’d
missed our plans. Her eyes were red–rimmed.
My heart twisted. I wanted to reach out,
comfort her, but my hand passed right
through her. I smiled through my tears. Thank
you, Chloe. Thank you for trying.
As the officer asked for my parents‘ contact
information, Dad walked in, glanced at Chloe,
and said, ““Don’t bother. I’m her father. She’s
not missing. She’s grounded.” He spat out
the word “grounded” like it was poison.
<
the word “grounded” like it was poison.
Chloe’s face crumpled. She looked down,
ashamed.
Chloe wasn’t a bad influence! She’d always
been there for me. She’d covered me with her
jacket when I was crying, shared her lunch
when I was hungry, chased bullies with a
poop–covered mop, held my hand when I was
ostracized, and told me we were a team, two
cool girls against the world. She was my best
friend.
No one questioned Dad. A respected officer.
My disappearance was dismissed.
I watched Chloe leave, tears rolling down her
cheeks. I wanted to follow, to comfort her,
but I was tethered to Dad. I watched him
<
JUL I Was LoliOI DU LU Day. I walutiGU
