Playing with Fire by Melody Carlson Page A

absence—she might have the flu or even be skipping —but because of that vision…well, I'm worried.
    I wish I knew her phone number, but I don't. Finally, at lunchtime, I decide to approach the only one I can think of who's actually her friend. Jack.
    Naturally, Jack probably wouldn't be in the cafeteria with the seminormal people. But I know some of his hangouts, and I decide to go look around. I clue Olivia in to my plans, but I tell her I need to do this alone.
    “Just get me a salad.” I hand her some money. “Hopefully, I'll be back in a few minutes.”
    “Should I tell Conrad what you're doing?”
    I shrug. “Whatever.”
    Then I set out to find Jack. But I do not look forwardto speaking with this dude. The truth is, he creeps me out. And okay, I know God loves him. And I have been praying for him. But the idea of actually talking to him is unnerving.
    After checking out a couple of his favorite haunts, I start to wonder if he's not here today either. Maybe they are skipping together. Maybe they're off getting high or making a drug deal. The thought of this makes me feel slightly sick. Then just as I'm about to give up, I spot Jack over by the west parking lot. He's with a couple of his friends. Kids that if I weren't a Christian, I would call losers. Losers. But God loves them. God loves them. This is what I tell myself as I walk toward them.
    They stop talking when I'm about twenty feet from them. They're still smoking, and what they're smoking doesn't even look like cigarettes but probably weed. Oh, well. There are three guys, and they're all just staring at me with suspicious eyes. I feel like I'm in over my head, so I pray as I take a couple more steps.
God, help me.
    “Hey, Jack,” I call out in a friendly tone. His brows pull together, and he glares at me. I can tell he doesn't want me around. I probably remind him of Olivia…and how She's part of the reason he's out of the band now.
    “I just wanted to ask you something.”
    He growls a profanity, and a skinny blond guy hits him in the arm with his fist. “Lighten up, Jack,”
    “Yeah, man,” says the other guy. “The lady just wants to talk to you.”
    “And she's cute,” says the skinny blond.
    “Thanks,” I say with a forced smile. “I don't want to interrupt you guys, but I'm looking for Felicity.”
    Jack's eyes flicker with interest for a second, then he scowls. “Why?”
    “She wasn't in journalism today, and I need to talk to her about something.”
    “What?”
    “Just a project. Do you know where she is or how I can get hold of her?”
    “Jack's been calling her all morning,” says the blond guy. The girl's not answering.”
    “Yeah,” says the other guy. “Jack's getting nervous.”
    “She's probably dumping him,” says the blond.
    “Shut up, Garth!” snaps Jack.
    “So you haven't seen her?” Okay, now I'm getting concerned, but I try to remain nonchalant. I can't let on that I'm worried about her.
    Jack shakes his head and actually seems to soften some. “I haven't seen her since yesterday.”
    I think this could be my opportunity. “For what it's worth,” I begin carefully, “I don't think Felicity is dumping Jack.” I say this to the blond guy named Garth. “From what she's told me, Jack is-her best friend. She seems to like him a lot.”
    “She told you that?” asks Jack.
    “Yeah.”
    He nods now, and I see a trace of sadness in his eyes.
    “I know she's been lonely since transferring here from Madison,” I continue, thinking I should at least make myself a case. “I've been trying to get to know her. She seems pretty cool. And she's smart too.”
    “Yeah,” he says, “she is.”
    “Do you think she might be sick?”
    He just shrugs.
    “Or maybe just skipping?” I add.
    “Maybe.”
    “Well, could I get her phone number from you so I can tell her about this journalism project? We're supposed to have partners for it, and I wanted her to be mine.” Okay, this isn't exactly true, and I'm feeling