4. The Secret Admirer?

"So what you are telling us is that your younger sister is missing?" Mum said calmly and honestly, it scared me.

Mum and dad arrived over two hours ago and we were currently sitting in the living room.

"Uh...mmm. Yes?!" I said no longer sure of my own answer. 

I was really nervous and scared and guilty. Let’s just say I was an emotional mess.

"Paige I told you both not to leave the house after 6pm. How could you be so careless?" Mum said still sounding calm, but I knew better. This was probably a 'calm before the storm' type of situation.

"Mum, I did not give her the permission to leave. I didn't even know when she left the house. The last time I saw her was when she stormed into her room." I said sounding really frustrated.

Earlier, I had planned to tell my parents about our 'new' neighbor, but seeing how they're already taking Lisa’s news, telling them who our neighbor is will probably kill them especially mum. 

She is not ready for all the drama, at least not now.

"So what has the police said so far?" My dad asked.

From his tone, it was easy to know how affected he was by this news.

He didn't say a word all through my explanation of Lisa's disappearance. And even when mum started freaking out, he was still very calm.

Maybe he is actually the perfect example of 'calm before the storm'.

"I spoke to Inspector Jones, he said once Lisa has been missing for twenty four hours, she will officially be declared missing and a public announcement will be made." I said trying my best to keep my emotions in check.

"The note was also taken, the blood test result should be out by tomorrow morning." I said my voice quivering.

I can't explain why, but I started crying as soon as these words left my mouth. 

The thought of Lisa actually being missing was extremely terrifying. And deep down I felt it was totally my fault. 

Maybe I should have just let her go pick up her diary or maybe I should have gone when she asked.

"Don't worry Paige, Lisa will be fine." Dad said pulling me into his arms and rubbing my back gently like he often did when I was younger.

"She is strong, I'm sure she'll be found soon enough." He added. 

It sounded like he was reassuring himself too.

"Yeah, you are right. She'll be fine. My little girl never gives up without a fight." Mum said wiping away the tears currently gushing from her eyes.

This was probably one of the most emotional moments I have ever witnessed in my family ever since...

‘Ding Dong’

The bell rang interrupting my train of thoughts.

"Is anyone home?" The voice sounded like that of the cop who came earlier today.

“I think it’s the police, his voice sounds familiar.” I said to my parents.

My dad looked and mum and I hesitantly before speaking.

"I think I should handle this one. You both should try putting yourselves together okay?" Dad said heading towards the door.

“It’s all going to be fine.” Mum said pulling me into a tight hug before heading upstairs.

***************************************

Thump! Thump! Thump!

I checked the time on my bedside clock, it was a little over midnight.

Who the hell was throwing stones at my window at such an odd hour?

After dad dismissed us upon the arrival of the cops, I came up to my room still in tears. I guess I slept off crying.

I needed the sleep though, I didn’t exactly have the opportunity to sleep since Lisa got missing.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

“Whoever was throwing these stones better have a good enough reason.” I said to myself as I stood from my bed.

I gently opened the window of my room and looked downwards, there was no one in sight. 

Was this some kind of sick joke?! Cos I was definitely not finding it funny. 

Some people really need to get over their immature jokes.

I closed the window and went back to bed. 

*Cue silence*

Just as I was drifting off to a deep sleep, I heard the annoying sound again.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

I moved towards my window once again but this time, I tried opening the window as gently as possible so that I'll be able to see the annoying creep disturbing my peace.

 I had the intention of calling the police. This person has no sense of decorum.

I squatted and peeked downwards through the window but to my dismay, the alleyway was empty. 

Again.

I stood up briskly in both irritation and annoyance at this stupid sleep depriving joke.

I was not going to fall for such stupid pranks ever again and that was a promise to self.

Just as I was about closing the window, something caught my attention, there was a note at the left end of the window.

A secret admirer?

 “This should be interesting.” I said to myself with a smirk.

I picked up the note then looked round the alleyway one last time just in case the accomplice was still hovering around but that was a futile action.

"I'll read you once I wake up later today." I whispered to the letter as I carefully placed it under my lamp stand.

I really wanted to sleep and it's not like the letter was important, probably just the regular pick up lines guys use on girls, a phone number and maybe a poem.

Don't judge me, I'm used to getting letters from boys, perks of being pretty and smart.

Mum is surely going to have a good laugh when she reads the letter, at least it'll relieve us of some stress. We always read my letters together. Its like a bonding thing between us.

At least reading this note will calm the atmosphere a little.

With these last thoughts, I went into a deep sleep.