Page 450 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

“So you have no idea where she is? Who she might be with?”

Oh yeah, I just remembered. She has a date with Mr. Bailey. They’re gonna have themselves a real good time.

“You try calling her?”

“Her phone’s off.” Diana’s voice wobbles like she’s about to start crying.

Eager to end the call, I say, “If I hear something I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, honey.” Diana hangs up and I shove my phone in my pocket.

Harper’s room feels emptier than it should. I rake my eyes over the place, trying to figure out if she took something sentimental with her, something that would leave a void. But I don’t remember ever seeing a framed photograph or an ornament or a plushie anywhere. I go to her dresser drawer and open it. There’s a stick of mascara in there, but the lid is loose and there are bits of crumbling black shit caked around the seam.

All her clothes still seem to be in the closet. At least, I can’t spot any obvious gaps where she took something out. All she left with was a backpack, so maybe she just went to go chill somewhere.

Or maybe shewasgoing to school, and she never made it.

So fucking what? I push away the thought and the weirdly intense dread that came with it.

I couldn’t give less fucks where she’s gone too, but for some reason, I end up searching her room again anyway.

She hid her phone under her mattress.

I stare at it for a long time, wracking my mind to figure out why she’d leave it. Maybe she kept getting lewd calls or dick pics. I wouldn’t put it past the guys in Cinderhart High.

Christ, why am I suddenly starting to regret this? I guess because my plan never included Harper running away like?—

the little mouse she is.

Yeah, fuck. I should have seen this coming.

My dad comes home early that night, and he pulls up a second before Diana does. I’d just finished watching the entire Moana movie with Rosie. Not like I had anything better to do—I’ve already spent three hours in the gym today. We’re in the kitchen getting a late afternoon snack when Dad barges through the front door.

“Is she back?”

I blink at him and slowly put down the butter knife I’d been using to make Rosie’s PB and J. “Hi Dad. Nice to see you?—”

“Seriously, Jude?” His face is a storm. “Just answer the damn question.”

“She’s not here. Hasn’t been all day.”

“Christ.” Dad rakes fingers through his hair as he spins to face the doorway. Diana comes through, her normally glossy platinum blond hair pulled into an untidy ponytail that somehow makes her look older.

She stares at me, but it’s like she seesthroughme. “Have you seen?—”

“No, he hasn’t,” Dad cuts in before she can finish. “I’m calling the station.”

“You’re getting the sheriff involved?” I blurt out, crossing my arms. I don’t know if it’s the mirth in my voice or the incredulous expression on my face, but Dad looks like he wants to punch me. “It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours yet.”

“Do you think this is a joke?” Dad asks. “Your sister is missing, Jude. The sooner?—”

“But they won’t even do anything until?—”

“I don’t give a shit!” Dad’s voice booms off the kitchen walls.

I let my arms drop, step back. I’ve never seen him like this. He looks...

Terrified.

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