I open my locker and find a flyer.

PARTY !!!! PARTY !!!! THIS FRIDAY AT BRIAN ”S HOUSE !!!

I have nothing else to do, so I go.

It’s loud and crowded. With the “clicks” separated into circles. Just like school.

The druggies sit in the corner on a couch. Where else would they be? But where’s Rainey?

—

“Hey, Maddie you like the party?”, Brian said, well yelled over the music.

Okay, little history on Brian. Brian and I have been bfs for as long as I can remember. He’s in our group that’s missing one, but Brian is different from all of us. In terms of affection. He’s a jock, and on the student council. He’s nice to everyone, and in return they are nice to him. He has no enemies. I never have grasped the reason why he hangs out with us.

“It’s good, hey have you seen Rainey tonight?”

“Yeah, she was sitting over there about an hour ago, why?”

“I’m just worried, that’s all.”

“I’ll help you look for her.”