Jordan
‘Jordan, have you heard?!’ Ruby ran up to Jordan’s locker.
Jordan rolled her eyes and slammed the locker. She shoved her hands in her white jacket and started in the other direction.
Can’t I be left alone?
Ruby gasped and appeared in front of Jordan.
‘I’m talking to you!’
‘I don’t want to gossip Ruby!’ Jordan tried to go round Ruby, but she was like a wall.
‘It’s not gossip! It’s true, Leah’s back I thought you’d want to know.’
Jordan balled her hands in her jacket. Ruby followed her arms. Jordan wanted to knock her teeth right out of her gums.
‘I’m not in the mood and if I were you I’d stay away from me from now on.’ She said through clenched teeth.Ruby gasped when Jordan brushed passed her. Jordan was incredibly difficult to deal with. Ruby locked their arms together and dragged her to the outdoor cafeteria. Despite Jordan’s growls and pulling.
‘Stop fighting and look! The girl in the black sunglasses.’
A girl in a jeans jack, white top and pulled back hair sat with a group of seniors. The jawline was the same, the same full cheeks and small frame. They had to have the same chocolate eyes. The girl's hair appeared thicker and curly. Leah always straightened her hair.
‘What… the hell?’ Jordan whispered. Her skin felt like ice cream falling off a stick.‘It’s so weird but that’s not the strangest part.’ Ruby said. ‘She claims she isn’t Leah, can you imagine?’
‘Then who is she?’ Jordan shrugged.
‘I think they said her name was Lindsey. Weird isn’t it?’ Jordan nose flashed pink. She tore her gaze away from the table. It didn’t make any sense. Lindsey’s parents moved away eight months ago and there hadn’t been any updates in her case.Who the hell was she? Jordan couldn’t get her face out of her head. If she was Leah, why was she pretending? Was she in danger? Lunch was over. Jordan watched as the girl walked to her locker that was on the same row as Jordan’s. The way she walked was the same. The glasses couldn’t hide who she was.
Jordan hung back and tailed her. She had Art, but she went into Mrs. Elgar's English class. Lindsey found an empty seat at the back of the class. All eyes followed her as she shifted through tables.
Jordan claimed the seat in the back right next to Lindsey. It was so clear despite the glasses. Jordan’s face burned with emotion, the tears threatened to burst.
‘What do you want?’ Lindsey’s voice rasped. ‘I need to know who you are.’‘I’m not who you think I am. I’m Lindsey Goodman. I’m not from this creepy little town.’ Lindsey shoved her book in her bag and stood just as Mrs. Elgar marched in.
‘If I hear one word out of you lot the class will carry the school bus from the parking lot to the football field!’
Every mouth shut, heads faced forward and Lindsey slowly sat back down. She sighed, it was going to be a long day.
***Clem and his new buddies wanted to drink at a park in their cars. Lindsey wanted to lock herself in her room and sleep for a good few hours. Clem dropped her in the neighborhood.
At least people weren’t falling over themselves trying to get a look at her.
‘Who the heck's Leah? Why did she have to disappear?’ Lindsey mumbled.
A front door slammed and a young man strolled out. He was dressed in a white shirt, army green pants and a gold chain. He staggered when he saw Lindsey. Their eyes locked for a split second before Lindsey broke contact and rushed her pace.
‘Ugh!’Dad’s car wasn’t in the driveway. A couple of hours alone in the kitchen would help her relax. She had the house to herself until the sky turned to darkness. Her Dad’s truck pulled into the driveway and suddenly her eyes felt heavy and her bed called her to sleep.
‘Hey honey! How was school?’ Margaret emerged into the kitchen with bags of groceries.
Lindsey scratched the back of her head. ‘Uh, it was average.’‘Well sounds calm.'
It was anything but. Lindsey thought.
The doorbell sounded and Lindsey frowned. Who could that be?
‘Lindsey could you get the door?’ Dad called.
Mom wasn’t surprised by the guest that stood on their porch, she busied herself unpacking the groceries.
Lindsey skipped to the door, the moment she opened it she wanted to slam it shut.
‘You? What are you doing here? How many times must I say it? I’m not Leah!’ She threw the door closed but Jordan jammed her foot between the doorframe.
‘Hold on, I didn’t come to bother you.’ Jordan pulled out an English textbook from her red bag.‘I figured you’d need this for Elgar’s assignment.’ Jordan offered a pressed smile.
Lindsey mentally slapped her head. She’d totally forgotten about the homework too!
‘Thanks… listen I’m sorry I shouldn’t—’
Jordan gently raised her hand. ‘It’s alright. Do you know whose house this is?’ Lindsey frowned. ‘Uh, mine.’ Jordan rolled her eyes. ‘Funny. It’s Leah’s.’ Lindsey’s body froze over as if she’d been rolled up in a blanket of snow. She grabbed the door and shut it behind her. ‘Who on earth is Leah King!’ She burst out low enough not to alert the neighbors or her parents. Jordan sighed and shoved her hands in her jacket.‘She was— she is my best friend. She went missing eight months ago and her parents packed up and moved two months ago. The police have nothing. It was like she vanished into thin air. Then you showed up.’
Lindsey pressed her back against the door. She shook her head. ‘That’s horrible… but we can’t look that much alike.’ Jordan shook her head and teardrop accidentally escaped. ‘You have no idea how wrong you are. Talking to you feels like a dream or a hallucination.’The door swung open, Lindsey froze when her Mom appeared on the door.
‘Oh Hi!’ Margaret smiled immediately.
Jordan quickly brushed her cheek and shook Margaret’s outstretched hand.‘You’ve made friends so quickly Lindsey that’s great. But why are you keeping her out in the cold? Don’t you want her to be your friend anymore?’ She planted her hands on her hips.
The girls chuckled. ‘No, Mom she was just bringing my book back she’s not staying long.’
‘How thoughtful. What’s your name sweetheart?’
‘Jordan. Jordan Mackenzie.’Lindsey realized she hadn’t even known her name.
‘Well see you Jordan.’
Lindsey and Margaret waved before they shut the door. Jordan stepped off the porch. Jordan felt a part of herself was trapped in the house and another part of her ran into the Hollow woods where her best friend likely laid.
Set Me ApartLindsey fashioned a black hoodie and sunglasses to school. Maybe she would make it through the day without people gawking at her.‘You’re making it obvious, Lindsey.’ Jordan leaned against a locker.Lindsey ripped her glasses off. ‘Forgive me for trying to keep people from staring at me.’‘People always want what they can’t have. If they can’t see you they’ll only follow you until they can.’Lindsey sighed, she looked ridiculous anyway. She pulled back her hoodie and shoved the glasses in the locker. ‘I guess you’re right. I should probably dyed my hair blonde and get contact lenses.’‘They will have to get used to it.’ Jordan shrugged.‘Will you get used to it? She was your best friend.’
The Boy Next DoorThe police had really done a number on Mom. Dad had to give her a sedative to calm her down. Lindsey knew her Mom was fragile and so did Clem. He was right about not telling her that day.Maybe they were both wrong she didn’t have to find out from the police. Lindsey believed it would have been much calmer if they told her themselves. She was much better in the morning. Margaret even made breakfast which Lindsey ate and finished just to me her happy. No one mentioned the police, DNAs or Leah King and Lindsey wanted it to stay that way. Lindsey walked out of the house in blue jeans, a pink top, a long white cardigan. The blue sky was obscured by morning clouds. A bitter breeze clapped her cheeks. She couldn’t wait to turn on the heater in the car. ‘Ugh, Clement! Hurry up!’ Lindsey yelled at the house.
Other than Clement, Jordan was the only other person Lindsey knew. Approaching people when she had someone else’s face was like attempting to climb Mount Everest. Jordan and Lindsey strolled the halls in comfortable silence until they got to the parking lot. Lindsey knew it was weird for Jordan but she needed her company. Jordan didn’t ask questions anymore or stare at her awkwardly. Clem was by the car with his usual radical looking crew and his new girlfriend Amber. She’s a red head in serious need of a protein package at a salon. Serge’s German vehicle was right where she left it. ‘Hey Jordan, you know that guy—’ Lindsey fumbled with her words. Jordan raised her brow. ‘What guy?’ Serge emerged from the school, Lindsey bobbed her head at him when he stopped to speak to a guy. Jordan smirked and narrowed her eyes at him. ‘I see you. He’s okay but that one is more up m
Lindsey walked into the sitting room. Two policemen sat on her couch while her parents stood in an embrace. Clem sat with his arms crossed over his chest as far from the policemen as he could. The Detective who visited them last time stood when Lindsey made herself known to them. Margaret’s face was red with worry. ‘What’s going on?’ She asked. ‘They’re here for the DNA test.’ Her Dad spoke. Margaret buried her chest into Trey’s chest. Lindsey backed up. Detective Luther's eyes shot up, fearing Lindsey would bolt. ‘Is this really necessary? I’m not Leah King! How many times do I have to say it?!’ ‘That’s what you say but we have to investigate to be certain.’ Detective Luther said. ‘Mom, Dad can’t you say no?’ ‘They wouldn’t do that if they had nothing to hide.’‘It’s alright Lindsey they just want your hair. Let’s get
Hollow Cove Woods The house had been fully established now Lindsey’s parents were left with the small matter of getting their dream restaurant up and running. Lindsey and Clem tried to help out when they could, mostly Lindsey since Clem had a new girlfriend and group of friends he had to keep up with. When Lindsey wasn’t sweeping at the restaurant she was doing homework with Jordan, or critiquing Serge's far from perfect cooking skills. Lindsey still feared what her Father would do when he found out Lindsey was spending long hours with a boy. School hadn’t gotten less weird, she could have sworn she had three stalkers. If it weren’t for Jordan practically chasing most people away she would have dropped out of school at least until the case was over. Lindsey thought the DNA test would have taken top priority but it had been almost a week and the results still weren’t out. One day a ‘Remember Leah King' poster had been stuck on
Blood & Questions The envelope with the results that could blow Detective Luther’s case wide open sat on his desk. He’d been staring at it for nearly half an hour. It should have been in Hollow Cove sooner but the M.E’s office in the next town didn’t understand the significance of the case. The case that haunted him. It was like a poker game, he was pondering his next move. He knew the results without a shadow of a doubt, but what he would do with them he didn’t know. The office door opened and slammed shut. ‘Luther the results are in!’ Detective Harry said. He’d recently been assigned to help Luther. He was a younger detective with truck loads of enthusiasm. ‘I know.’ He pointed at his desk. ‘Then why haven’t you opened it yet? What are you waiting for?’ Luther straightened himself. ‘Go ahead Harry do the honors.’ Harry picked up the envelope and ripped the top off
Leah Lindsey’s Mom had her head in her hands when Detective Luther left their home. She wouldn’t let Lindsey comfort her. ‘I don’t know whether to be happy or freaked out about this. They’re not trying to take you away from me that’s good.’ She paced the room. ‘Mom do you want me to call Dad?’ Margaret shook her head. ‘He’s busy with the restaurant. I need to find your birth certificate, every hospital report, photo albums and… yes the adoption papers. Detective Luther might find them useful.’Margaret started up the stairs, rumbling all the way.Lindsey shot her Dad a quick text. Lindsey didn’t want to leave her Mom home alone, but her fingers trembled and sweat drenched her armpits. She marched out the front door, hoping her Dad would be home any time. Lindsey ran all the way to Serge's house. She hammered on the door. Serge answered a couple seconds later. His hair
Familiar Faces Margaret stuck the broom under the brown table. She couldn’t wait until all the cutting, smashing and painting was done. They needed replace the broken tiles with a modern wooden floor and brand new glass for the massive window. They had just finished the repairs on the ceiling, half of it was gone in the kitchen when they bought the place. They required a whole new kitchen something they both didn’t mind. Trey held paint samples up to the light. It was just the two of them that Saturday afternoon, the electrician cancelled on them. Despite all the work that needed to be done the restaurant was the last thing on Margaret’s mind. She couldn’t get the predicament her family was in out of her head. Cami had another daughter and didn’t tell anyone. Margaret hadn’t told her parents yet, she didn’t know how to tell her parents her sister gave birth to twins! She wasn’t sure it was true but