The bell signifying the end of my last class was like music to my ears.

As soon as the class began to pack up their bags and stand up, Miss Hill called out my name.

"Sarah, can we have a little chat once everyone leaves?" Her eyes were kind and her voice was gentle, but the last thing I wanted to do was talk with my science teacher.

It would've been rude to decline, so I pressed my lips together and nodded. A pool of heart-rendering eyes was pointed towards my direction, knowing that Miss Hill wanted to give me a pep talk.

The auburn-haired teacher made her way towards my table once everyone left the classroom. She came to a halt beside my drooping bag and put a perfectly manicured finger on my table. "How are you holding up, sweetie?"

I groaned inwardly. Miss Hill barely even knew my name as a new teacher, but ever since Will disappeared my name seemed to be written all over the school walls. "Fine."

"How's...your dad?" She tried to act nonchalantly, shuffling her heels. "I mean...how are your parents?"

My curiosity got the best of me. "Why would you care about how my dad feels?" I blurted out inevitably.

Miss Hill looked taken aback. "I-I just wanted to know about your parents in general. It must be hard with...you know...a dead son."

"For fuck's sake," My voice rose before I could think about my next words, "He's just missing!"

Knowing that trouble was on its way, I grabbed my school bag from the floor nearly catching Miss Hill off balance. I refused to see her face as I barged my way past her tall frame and out the door. She didn't call my name. I think she just felt sorry for me.

I heard people whispering my name while I walked down the corridor. I had to get my textbook for tomorrow's math lesson from my locker but it was on the other side of the school - and I couldn't face all those gossiping bitches anyway.

I saw a familiar head bobbing somewhere in the crowd. I wasn't sure if it was him at first, but I yelled him name either way. "James!" I ignored all the pathetic stares around me and looked away.

My heart sank when no one looked around. Since I got out of class late, he must've already gotten to the bus area.

I weaved my way through the school all the way to the exit until I was under the dim sun and exposed to the cold weather. A row of ugly yellow buses was parked adjacent to the primary school. I spotted James walking all alone, looking for his bus.

I felt angry. I had no one else in this world who understood my love for Will, no one who knew him like I did - except for James. The fact that I looked like a rusty, homeless cat on day four of Will's disappearance while James looked like it was any other day of the week made me feel distressed for no solid reason.

As soon as I got close to him I extended a rough hand and grabbed the collar of his flannel. I almost yanked him backward with the force, but James was stronger than he looked. He whirled around to see my disgusting appearance.

"Oh." He looked almost uncomfortable. "Sarah."

"James," I nodded cursorily.

"Will's little sister," James dragged on, nodding along with me awkwardly. It was quiet for a good few seconds.

He decided to break the silence. "So...can I help you?"

Instead of replying I began to gnaw on my nails anxiously. Why did I grab him like that? Why had I wished to speak with him at all?

I didn't meet his eyes. James stepped backwards and cleared his throat, "I...uh, I have a bus to get to."

I shook my head desperately and decided that I was tired of being alone in this. "Do you remember anything from the night William went missing?"

James looked like he didn't want to be part of this conversation at all. His eyes widened unnaturally and he ran an uneasy hand through his hair. "I really need to go."

I snapped out of it. "Shut up and stop lying. My brother is missing and I have to deal with everyone giving me looks of pity and you feeding me bullshit of needing to be somewhere else. I know where you really want to go - to that stupid amusement park where Will left us. Or alone with your thoughts. Or drowning in your own tears," I spat fiercely, froth spraying from my lips. James couldn't have looked more surprised. "So, for god's sake, are you going to help me with this or not, James?"

The answer was clear in his eyes. He was going as crazy as I was - but there was something else in his eyes.

"I don't want anything to do with William Black."

* * *