ALMOST A YEAR EARLIER
The party was in full swing. Eighth grade year was over. Our class had just graduated that morning and everyone was over at the Stevens’ house for the celebration that night.
My parents hadn’t come with me so I’d gotten a ride with Mallory.
I was halfway down a hallway trying to look for my then boyfriend Josh Porter. He was a freshman at the high school and we’d been dating since Valentine’s Day.
I met Mitch West’s eyes across the hall.
“Hey, Callie, what’s going on?” he initiated a conversation.
“Hey, Mitch,” I greeted, “nothing, uhm, I’m actually just looking for Josh. Have you seen him?”
I glanced around the area quickly to see if I could see him anywhere, but there was no such luck.
“No. Sorry,” Mitch replied.
Just then, Nate Kelley came over. Obviously, he had overheard the conversation since he pointed to a door and told me, “I saw Josh go in there just now.”
I turned toward the door and out of nowhere, as I went to open it, a shiver went down my spine…