My Best Friend's Dad

Finding Spooky

Elona's POV

I waited for Cris so that we could go and check up on Spooky as he still hadn't responded to our texts, even calls. Cris was awaiting feedback for an internship from SNT. She would be able to finish school and automatically work for SNT once she is accepted. So, as she waits for that text, we will be on a mission to find Spooky. I already sent a text to Tristan to find out how he is doing this morning after he showed up drunk at my house last night.

My phone chimed as I walked down the stairs. I took my phone out of my denim shorts pocket.

Cris: I am sorry to break this to you, but I need to go to SNT, and they are having a weekend away for the interns. My dad is also not himself, he has a hangover. But chat soon.

No wonder Tristan hasn't been texting me back. I reached the kitchen. "I'm going out with some friends, don't wait up," my father said as he was dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt. A hoodie draped over his arm. It was late afternoon already.

"Okay, Dad." I said as I sat on the bar stool.

"I love you," he called over his shoulder.

"I love you too, Dad."

I was on my phone again, texting a reply to Cris.

Me: Is your dad that hectic? Don't worry, I will check up on Spooky.

Cris: Yeah, when I went to get some water in the middle of the night. I got such a fright. I thought it was an intruder, just to see my dad passed out until this afternoon. Let me know about Spooky.

I replied with a thumbs up emoji. Tristan still didn't read my text. I will give him some space to get over that hangover. I got off the bar stool, I locked up the house and walked down the street to Spooky's house.

When I got to the driveway, I felt this weird vibe as I slowly walked towards the front door. The garden was not taken care of and the grass was growing tall. I walked up the steps and I rang the doorbell. I waited but I felt chills. Maybe it was a bad idea to be here by myself.

I rang the bell one last time, because I wanted to get away from here. But still, there was no answer. I slowly walked down the steps and turned around looking at the windows to the top floor of this huge double-story house. The curtains were closed, but when I looked down, before leaving, I saw an open section next to the house. I slowly approached but saw that it was a path. Perhaps Spooky might be in the backyard. So I went to go check.

When I got to the backyard, it was deserted. It was as if no one lived here. The pool was nasty too, weeds were growing through the tiled cracks in the landscape. I walked up the steps to the sliding door, I knocked and waited. There doesn't seem to be anyone, but the kitchen looked clean to me. I tried to slide the door open, but it was locked on the inside.

I let out a breath. Turning around, I saw a section further in the backyard where there was a gate in the backyard fence. It led to somewhere away from the house, so I strolled towards it.

I got to the open gate, and it led to the lake further ahead. "Hey," I jumped in fright. Turning around with my hand on my chest, my heart beating at a rapid pace.

"Spooky," I let out a relieved breath. "You scared me," I said.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. He was wearing sunglasses with his usual black clothing.

"I was looking for you. You never returned our calls or texts."

"My phone broke."

"Well, you haven't been to school either, so is everything okay?" I asked.

My phone started to ring, and I reached into my pocket, taking it out. It was Tristan, but I ignored it by putting it on silent. I wanted to know what was going on with Spooky. I shoved my phone back in my pocket.

"Well..." he trailed off.

"Why are you wearing sunglasses?" I asked.

"It's nothing, just the sunlight." I looked to the side of the wall next to the gate and there were a few snacks. "I have been chilling over there, its my favorite place to sit when I need an escape," the corners of his mouth curled up. "Do you want to sit?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure," I said, and then we both sat on the freshly cut grass which was part of the public that needed to be kept cut. "So, please tell me what is going on," I pushed.

The sun started to dip low in the sky, casting long shadows across the grass. An unspoken tension hung in the air. Spooky, still wearing his sunglasses, looked more subdued than usual.

"Elona," he began, his voice carrying an unusual weight, "I just haven't been feeling well lately."

So, that was it? He wasn't feeling well, and his phone was broken. "Well, I hope that you get better soon, it's just weird not having you chill with us."

He hesitated, as if grappling with whether to open up. "I also have some things on my mind. Nothing major. You don't need to worry."

But worry had already planted its seed in my chest. "Spooky, we are friends. Friends share burdens. What is really going on?"

He sighed, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "It's just... my parents. They are away on business. I would rather not talk about it."

His response left me with more questions than answers, but I respected his boundaries. "Okay, if you don't want to talk about it, then I respect that. But you know I'm here for you, right?"

Spooky gave a small, appreciative smile, but a layer of tension lingered between us. As we chatted about lighter topics, I couldn't shake the feeling that something unsaid hung between us.

"I really like Cris," he said.

"I know you do. But will she return those feelings? You know how outgoing she can be." I stated.

"I know, but I am willing to give it a try with her and see how it goes," he replied.

"Then you should hang out with us more." I smiled, this was my way to make him leave his house more after this, "Besides, you need to get away from any problems over here. Cris will entertain you," I have used that same statement that Cris had used with me and Tristan.

"She certainly will," he smiled. But then he looked at the sky and then his smile disappeared, "I think I will go and rest. I will walk you home," he said as he stood up and held a hand out to me. I placed my hand in his, and he helped me up. He picked up his snacks, and we walked in step. A pang of unease settled in my stomach.

"Are you sure you are okay? You seem... different."

"I'm fine, I just need rest, not feeling well, remember?" he said, but his words held a weight I couldn't quite decipher. As he walked me home, the distance between us felt palpable, as if an invisible barrier had sprung up.

When we reached my house, Tristan's unexpected presence on the front steps seized my attention. His face, illuminated by the glow of his phone, wore an expression of anger that sent shivers down my spine. He stood up, scowling at us.

"What is going on here?" he demanded, his eyes locking onto Spooky.

"We were just hanging out, Tristan," I explained, confusion knitting my brows.

Tristan's gaze shifted between us, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "You need to stay away from her. I had no clue where she was, not even her father knew. I won't allow you to put her in danger, it's dark already." he warned Spooky.

As Spooky's sunglasses hid his eyes, I couldn't help but feel like there was more to this tension than met the eye. I gave Spooky an apologetic smile before he left. It was all my fault because I ignored Tristan and put my phone on silent. So, of course, he would worry as it was dark now. But he shouldn't be cruel to Spooky because of me. I feel bad, I just hope that this won't make Spooky stay away from us.