invisible string - simon elroy

three

— — —

Evangeline rubbed her eyes as she drank her coffee while walking into school. She made her way to the cafeteria and saw Nicole sitting at a table and joined her.

"Hey Nicole." The girl greeted when suddenly Simon joined them, setting a coffee in front of Nicole.

"Hey Vange." Nicole greeted. "Thanks Simon."

Evangeline rested her head on her hand as she sat across from the two.

"Question, what do you do when Maddie suddenly pops up out of no where?" Nicole asked and then showed her phone to Simon then Evangeline. One year ago memory. "Is that freaky or what?"

"They matched the DNA." Evangeline suddenly blurted out causing the two to look at her. "It was Maddie's blood on the wall. I heard my dad say it last night."

The three sat in silence for a moment before Nicole spoke up.

"It's fine we don't need to talk about blood or DNA or whatever the stupid police think," She said. "No offense to your dad, Vange."

"None taken."

"Because A, I'm so positive our girl is still alive. And B, I'll prove it to you when she shows up to Horror-Con this Friday night." Nicole finished.
"I'm gonna get us tickets."

"Why would you do that?" Simon asked.

"Because the director of the Babadook was just added to a panel." Nicole looked up from her phone. "You know Maddie's so not missing that."

The three sat in silence for another moment.

"Uh who's the soggy tea bag staring at us?" Evangeline suddenly spoke up. "New teacher?"

"Grief counselor." Simon said.

"Gross." Nicole responded as the three stared at her.

Simon suddenly stared away and looked really uncomfortable.

"Are you okay?" Evangeline asked him as her and Nicole stared at him.

He didn't respond and just stood up and walked away.

"What.." Nicole said as they watched him.

"Well I'm gonna get to class. See you later, Nicole." Evangeline said before she got up and left the cafeteria.

— — —

Evangeline stared at herself in the bathroom mirror as she washed her hands.

"Did your dad make Xavier stay home today?" Inez asked from inside the stall.

"Yeah." She responded. "People are hardcore judging me. But Xavier didn't do anything."

Inez left her stall and walked up to the sink next to Evangeline.

"How are you sure?" Inez washed her hands as her friend turned to her.

"I'm not. I just don't wanna believe it." She stared down at the sink. "He confessed to cheating on her and that's why he took the phone. I just don't wanna believe he could've still done something."

Inez dried her hands then walked over to her friend and wrapped her arm around her pulling her into a hug.

"It's okay. Everything will be fine."

Evangeline pulled back and smiled at her friend. They smiled at each other then giggled.

"Drive me home today?" Inez asked as the two exited the bathroom.