Karyn, Jon, and Jay, meanwhile, had failed to find any sign of Kyla.
Jay looked a bit worried. It wasn't a common look on him. Jay was known for being hyperfocused on things. But Kyla was his best friend. The Karyn to his Jon. The person who debated episodes of Star Trek with him. "Where could she be?"
"Maybe she went home?" Jon suggested, hopefully.
"Without her bookbag?" Jay said. "She left it with me."
"Maybe we should tell the principal?" Karyn considered.
"Tell the principal what?" a female voice said.
They all turned. There was a girl standing there. Karyn felt a sudden shiver. While the girl was smiling, there was something cold about her, calculating.
Jon and Jay didn't see it. For them...it was quite the opposite. Jay was famously oblivious to girls and he noticed this one. Red hair, short skirt, tight top....
"Umm..." Jon said.
The girl seemed to shrug. "Okay, don't tell me."
"Who ARE you?" Karyn said.
The girl gave her a look, and Karyn wasn't buying it. "Lia Keeley. Honestly, Karyn...I'm in two of your classes, you'd think you'd know me by now," she said.
"Umm...sure, Lia..." Jon said...
The girl shook her head..."I know I look different with contacts, but..."
Karyn was convinced this girl had to be gaslighting her. She turned to the two boys...who were acting like it was...well, the first day of Spring.
