Ethan and I started to walk to the bus stop after we were done talking with my dad about what happened last night. Ethan had told my dad about the car and anything he could think of about the man that was following me. My dad had insisted on walking me to the bus stop but I told him Ethan was with me. Every day I spend with him, I feel us getting closer. Before we left for school, my dad had gotten a call from work, saying there may be a body from the kidnapper.

As we walked to the bus stop, we made small talk trying to not think about everything that was going on. Honestly, I needed someone to take my mind off of the kidnapper, which Ethan was really good at. Though when it was time to get on the bus, since we sat in different seats I would be forced to think about it.

The bus came and I was starting to regret coming to school. All I could think about was him being on the bus or at my school now. I didn't actually believe the man would be on my bus but there was always that chance. This man could be anyone and I'd never know it. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I'd be safe at school.

Ethan sat down behind me and said, "Are you okay?"

I nodded and he didn't talk to me the rest of the ride to school. We walked together and I said as we separated, "I'll see you in gym." He smiled and I headed to class. I had an exam that I had forgotten about in science. I was probably going to fail it. I got my test and stared at it deeply. I started to fill in answers and it was somewhat hard but also kind of easy. The period was almost over by the time I got done.

We were watching a historical video in world studies so I didn't really have to do anything. I went to English after and we had a substitute teacher so we just got a bunch of papers to work on. They were pretty easy though. Next was French class where at least my best friend was. Maddie greeted me in French and I greeted back.

"I'm riding the bus home with you and staying at your house tonight." She said without really asking.

That was Maddie all right. She never had to ask to come over, she just did it. We had that kind of relationship. I smiled at her. I'd still ask my dad about her spending the night but he wouldn't care. I knew Maddie wanted to be with me because of what happened. I had texted her last night telling her what happened. She was just as worried as me.

"Okay." I said and class started.

We were learning about different foods and drinks in French. I listened and took notes as my teacher talked. I occasionally repeated words that she said too, so I knew how to say them. It was now lunch time. Maddie and I walked and yet again, I wasn't hungry.

We sat down and I said, "So what are we doing tonight?"

"We're going to watch movies and eat popcorn all night." She said smiling. That's why I loved her.

It was now time for gym class and Coach Reed wanted us to stay after for our first track practice today. I had forgotten to tell my dad about it, so I needed to call and ask him. When I was finished calling him, I went outside and watched everyone running except Ethan and me because we had the fastest running times. I was happy I could stay after for track and my dad wasn't becoming too protective. I walked over to Ethan and sat down next to him.

"Can you stay?" He asked.

"Yeah, surprisingly." I said laughing.

We sat in silence as we watched everyone running. I was happy I didn't have to run. I wasn't in the mood right now. After a few minutes, Ethan and I started to talk about random things. I learned that his favorite color is red and he wants to be a doctor when he grows up which surprised me. I had no idea what I wanted to be, which scared me, but I'd figure it out. There were just so many interesting things that I would love to study. How was I supposed to just pick one?

After gym was math. We were learning about angles and I hated every second of it. I wished math didn't exist. After the bell rang, I headed to the locker room to change into my running clothes. I walked outside to see Coach Reed and Ethan. They were talking but I wasn't sure what about. I walked up to them and Coach said, "Oh hello Kelly. Glad you could come." I nodded and waited as other runners came. Once everyone was here, the coach went on about how happy he was that about ten people showed up.

"Okay everyone, today I just want to see how much endurance you have. All you have to do is run the around the border of the school as many times as you can. Just stop when you can't go any longer. It doesn't have to be a sprint, go as slow as you want." He said.

We all took off running well more like jogging. Ethan and I ran together while the others were around us and some behind us. The coached watched as we all came running around the school. I was barely breaking a sweat. I kept running and so did Ethan. It was our fifth time around the huge school that took about five to ten minutes to jog around and there were only two other people with us. I was getting tired but I kept going. It was in my blood not to give up until I possibly couldn't go any longer.

Ethan and I had managed to run one last time then we stopped because we were the only two left and it was almost time to go. We both got a drink and sweat was dripping off our foreheads. I saw Maddie in the bleachers watching me in awe. The coach told us we would have practice tomorrow. Ethan and I walked over to Maddie once he was done talking.

"How in the world did you both just do that?" She asked shockingly.

"We just ran." Ethan said smiling.

We walked to his car where his mom was. We all got in the small car and she drove us home. When we pulled in front of my house, we all got out and Ethan told his mom he would walk home in a minute. She drove off and I saw her go inside her house.

"Maddie can you go inside and see if my mom is home. My dad said she should." I said giving her the key. She smiled and walked away. I knew what she was thinking and I would get an earful about Ethan later. She wanted us to start dating, which I'd like but I wasn't sure if he liked me as much as I liked him.

"I didn't want to talk to you about this around everyone but are you okay with everything?" He asked.

"I guess. I'm scared but there's nothing I can really do." I said, frowning.

Maddie came back out and said, "Your mom's not home, no one is." She said.

I must have looked worried because Maddie said, "It's all right Kel." "Hey Ethan, would you like to hang out with us for a little bit." She added, giving me a smile.

She knew I wouldn't have asked him to hang out, afraid of getting rejected. I hated being nervous like this but why wasn't my mom home. The reasonable answer was that she had to stay at work late today, but my mind had a thousand other ideas.

"Oh sure, if it's okay with you." He said to me. I nodded and we went inside.

I couldn't help but check my surroundings in my house because my mom was supposed to be home. Where was she? The question still lingered in my mind. Usually, she would come home if my dad asked her too, especially if she knew he wouldn't be home. There was no text from her so I decided to ask her when she would be home. Then when I thought about it, she rarely read her messages at work, and calling would be the best way.

"I think I'll call my mom." I said as we all sat down to watch some TV.

"Come on, she is probably just running late. She should be home soon. There is no need to be worried." Maddie said.

Maddie and Ethan agreed on a movie for us to watch, I didn't care what movie we watched so I had no say in it. The three of us watched the movie on the couch and of course, Maddie sat on the edge of the couch so I would sit next to Ethan. I didn't really focus on the movie much. I was worried about my mom and myself. What if this guy really wanted me and was successful? My body was also nervous because I was so close to Ethan, it wasn't a bad nervous like being abducted, but the feeling of butterflies in your stomach.

"Let's go upstairs and do something." I said to them once the movie finished.

They nodded and went upstairs into my room. It was almost six o'clock at this point and was already dark. In my room, we listen to music and I read them some of my stories that I wrote. I'm love writing, it was one of the career paths I was debating on. I had been writing since I was little and loved making up stories. Luckily, during these times I was relaxed and thought little of the horrors of reality. Maddie and Ethan made me laugh a lot, which was something I desperately needed.