Emeli

I wake up in good time. If I overslept then the plan would be an epic fail.

The time on my clock reads 6AM. The sun is already up so at least it isn’t pitch black outside. That would be really scary. I am not a huge fan of the dark.

I get dressed quickly and quietly. Again, if I wake Mum and Dad up. Then, the plan would be a fail.

I slowly open my window. This is it. One wrong move and things could get pretty nasty. I have to take things nice and slow.

I climb out successfully. Thanks to attempting to climb out through the window for my picnic date with Wayne.

Oh Wayne. I am missing you like crazy. If only you knew what was going on. If only.

I climb over the wall and land up in the lane. I check to see if anything has fallen out. Everything seems to be in place when I look. That is the clever design of rucksacks for you. They store everything.

I walk quite quickly. I decide to head towards town. I know a great breakfast bar which opens at 6AM. I try to look perfectly innocent. I don’t want people to think that I am on the run. I really don’t.

I arrive in town in good time. There is hardly anyone around. I look like an early morning tourist.

I go inside the breakfast bar called Rise and Shine. The smell of sausages and bacon hits me the moment I walk in. There is always the fresh smell of food here.

I order a small full English breakfast. Which consists of bacon, a sausage, a piece of toast, some baked beans and an egg. I eat slowly, taking in the delicious taste. I know the food isn’t healthy, but I buy some orange juice to go with it. Not a bad combo.

After my tasty breakfast, I get up and leave. There is a long day ahead.

Wayne

I sleep in. I need to relax after the emotional day yesterday. I look in my bedroom mirror and smile. I place my earring in and I style my hair. I am in a good mood.

Me and Mum don’t tend to do a lot. But, we can amuse ourselves in our flat which is good news.

Mum comes in and spots me. I am only half dressed but still she comes in uninvited. I politely smile.

‘Get dressed Wayne. We are going to have breakfast.’ said Mum. I keep my smile fixed on.

‘Don’t be too long.’ said Mum as she leaves my room. I still wear a smile even though my jaw is starting to ache.

We eat breakfast and then, we play snakes and ladders. I know that this is an old school board game but I still find it rather amusing.

At about ten, there is a loud knock at the door. I frown. We hardly ever get any visitors. Mum races to the door. She opens it. I can hear voices. I wonder what is going on.

Then, Mum arrives pale faced escorted by two police officers and two other people which I don’t know. I know something has happened. And it involves me.

‘Wayne. I would like you to meet Mr and Mrs Johnson.’ said one of the police officers. I politely say hello but they do not look very happy.

‘Do you know this girl?’ asks the police officer as he holds up a photo. My heart stops.

‘Yes, her name is Emeli.’ I reply. ‘She is in my form at school.’

I spot both police officers nodding at one another.

‘She has gone missing.’ said the police officer.

I start to shake. Something else must have happened which upset her.

‘She is my daughter.’ replies Mrs Johnson. I stare. I am sitting face to face with Emeli’s parents.

‘Have you seen her at all?’ asks Mr Johnson.

‘Friday afternoon was the last time I saw her.’ I reply. I don’t want to talk about the date.

‘We traced you Wayne because Emeli wrote on a post-it note your name with a heart drawn around it.’ said the police officer. I try hard not to go very red.

‘Is she your girlfriend?’ asks Mrs Johnson.

‘No. We are simply friends from school.’ I reply.

‘Let me rephrase that. Are you in love with my daughter?’ asks Mrs Johnson.

I hesitate. I really don’t know what to say.  

‘Ummmmm...’ I start to say.

‘WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?!’ yells Mrs Johnson.

I raise my voice. ‘I DON’T KNOW!!’

‘Wayne. Please, you must know something.’ pleads my Mum.

Before anyone can stop me, I quickly jump up and run out of the flat. I hear shouts but I am not going back.

I have to find her.

Emeli

It is early afternoon when I reach my destination.

The park.

Yes, the same park where I had the romantic date with Wayne. I feel safe and alive here.

I drop my rucksack and spin around like a hyperactive kid. I giggle. At last, I have freedom.

My sixth sense tells me that Mum and Dad know that I have gone. They are going to be furious at me. But, I want to be alone.

I decide to paddle in the park river for a bit. The weather is really hot after all.

Then, I feel really wet. I look down and realise that I have gone in far too deep. Away from the shore. I try to swim towards land but I am not very strong. The current is pulling me away.

I scream for help but my voice is weak due to my sore throat. I can’t see anyone around. I start to cry as my head keeps bobbing in and out of the water.

Just then, I hear a tremendous splash from behind me. I spot a figure coming towards me. I focus in. It is Wayne!

I had no idea that he could swim at all. And yet, he isn’t giving up.

I feel my body being lifted up. Above the water. I glance down and notice that Wayne is topless. Wow. Topless.

Wayne carries me and swims towards shore. I hear faint sirens in the distance. I cling on to Wayne even though I am shaking like mad.

Wayne gets to the shore and lifts me onto his lap. I am crying so much.

‘Hush, hush.’ he whispers.

I feel really dizzy.

‘You saved me.’ I whisper.

He holds my hand.

I feel so faint. Then, as the sirens get louder.

Light turns to darkness.

Wayne

I have a few ideas where Emeli might be. I have to start looking fast.

One of the first places that I think of is the park. Where we had our date. Because it is hot and sunny, then Emeli will be outside.

I look around but no luck.

‘Come on Emeli.’ I say to myself. ‘Where are you?’

Just as I am turning to leave, I hear screaming from the river. I run over and spot Emeli. If I don’t do something, she will drown!

As quick as a flash, I take off my top and dive in. I am quite a strong swimmer.

I fight through the currents towards Emeli. My heart is racing so fast.

I reach Emeli and lift her above the water. She is staring at my chest. This is the first time that I have been topless in front of her.

I hear sirens as I swim back to shore. Someone must have phoned 999.

I get to shore and pull Emeli onto my lap. She is crying hysterically.

I tell her to calm down but she doesn’t listen. I hold her hand but then, she falls off my lap.

She has fainted.

‘Emeli! Emeli!’ I said. But she gave no response. I couldn’t wake her.

Some paramedics come racing over. There is a crowd of people in the distance watching. I can just about make out my Mum and Emeli’s parents.

One of the paramedics wraps a towel around me. My jeans are dripping wet.

I sit there and watch as the paramedics tended to Emeli. But still she was unconscious.

They put Emeli on a stretcher and they quickly move towards the waiting ambulance. One of the paramedics makes sure that I am OK. I have to go to hospital as well for a check.

‘I pulled her out. She almost drowned.’ I said to the paramedic. ‘I heard her screaming for help.’

Emeli’s parents look very upset while my Mum still looks pale faced.

I board the ambulance, still looking at Emeli. Still no response.

I am shaken. What will happen now? I am scared. So scared.