Missing You (And Me)

To <awhitak7@gmail.com>

Subject: Checking In

Hey, Austin! It's Scarlet from middle school. I found your email and was bored, so... here I am! How are you? It's been a while since I've seen you, and since middle school in general, LOL. How's life been since 8th grade? Still friends with all those boys? Well, I don't expect a reply, but I just wanted to say hey. :)

-Scarlet

To <sbarlow9@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Checking In

Oh, hey Scarlet! It's been so long. We're graduating next year, which is insane. I was just actually looking at our 8th grade yearbook... it's scary to say the least. Why did I think that type of haircut was fashionable? It's a wonder that anybody even interacted with me. Yeah, I'm still friends with "all those boys", well except for Joshua, who left in freshman year. I actually think he got expelled. Yikes. I never really liked him, though. I'm doing good. Don't I have AP Chem with you? Or is it Bio? History? We're in a lot of AP classes, so we should have at least one together. Yeah, I think we have a couple together, ha! Well, I'll see you around I guess. Junior year should be better than sophomore year. Hopefully it will! Anyway, I wanna email you more! My mom took away my phone because I got a 70 on an AP Lang quiz, but she didn't take away my laptop! So in other words you're basically my only form of human communication out of school. :)

See ya 'round!

-Austin

To <awhitak7@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Checking In

Austin! Nice to see you emailing me. Just like old times, eh? Yeah, the yearbook thing was a shock for me as well. I looked at it after reading your email, and I had the exact same reaction. Yikes. I think I was wearing maybe 2 shades of eye shadow? Whatever monstrosity it was, I really didn't pull it off. We have 4 classes together. AP Chem, AP Bio, AP History, and AP Calculus. We really do take too many AP classes, but hey, aren't you looking to get into Dartmouth? I'm going for that as well, because, you know, both of my parents went there, so keeping up the family legacy I guess! Your mom sounds interesting. But hey, my parents are interesting as well! I literally email paragraphs for fun because of them. (And it looks like you do, too.)

See ya 'round!

-Scarlet

To <sbarlow9@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Checking In

Scarlet! I don't know how to enter an email because I'm just pathetic like that and so I'm copying you. Hope that's okay. Anyway, the 4 classes total are impressive indeed. And to think we had only acknowledged each other through study questions before this. *sigh*. Yeah, I'm mainly looking at Dartmouth, but there are some other non-Ivy League schools I'm thinking about, like Clemson, or Northwestern, and one is quite cheaper than the other, so if grades don't prevail, then I have a backup plan. Or at least I'm trying to. My mom is really interesting, so, if you ever meet her, which you probably wouldn't want to, because she's a monster disguised in Sketchers and yoga pants, honestly. Yeah, I can get you with the paragraphs part. I do the same. (As you can tell.) But yeah. What do you think Robinson will give out this week? How many pop quizzes? Any, dare I say, pop tests? Ha! But seriously, I can't take her anymore.

Until we write again,

-Austin

To <awhitak7@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Checking In

Austin-

LOL, it's totally okay to steal my entry lines, I literally am not that creative, gosh. Also, you're not pathetic at all. Who cares if you can enter an email? Dartmouth doesn't, I'm sure of it. Clemson is great. Both of my parents may have gone to Dartmouth, but my whole entire family besides them went to Clemson, so we're die hard fans. Don't catch me watching a football or basketball game for them, I'm basically a miniature sports commentator. I grew up with my dad asking me to shut up and stop talking about sports, even though he's obsessed with the tigers as well. I'm mildly concerned about your statement about your mom, but I can't be judging because my mom is like that as well, no doubt about it. Anyways, I think the pop tests are definitely an option, because that sounds so Robinson. But yeah!

Until we write again (because I can't think of any ways to close an email because I'm also just pathetic like that),

-Scarlet

To <sbarlow9@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Checking In

Scarlet (ugh I'm gonna keep doing this)-

Hey! YOU ARE CREATIVE! You're literally in Beta Club (I had a "behavioral indenture" and that's why I couldn't get in. Remember Davis Lewis [terrible name]? Yeah..), and you're the president of art club, and you're all this other super creative stuff! Don't say you're not creative because you know it not to be true, Scarlet dearest. Also, can I call you Scar Scar? I'm assuming we're at the nicknames stage of our relationship now. Come up with a nickname for me, will you? Also, your dad sounds interesting. Are we really just calling our parents interesting? Also, I'm getting my phone back tomorrow, so give me your number in AP Chem so I can text you instead of emailing like the old hag I am. Anyway, I can't believe Robinson gave us a pop quiz today. She makes me so mad sometimes!! Like, genuinely, I feel like she is trying to crush all of our hopes and dreams this year. That's her one goal of every school year. Literally. But yeah!

For now, this is Austin Whitaker, signing off with Gmail News!

-Austin

**TEXT MESSAGES**

Scarlet: Hey, Austin! I have a nickname to present to thee....

Austin: Oh, please present away!

Scarlet: Texas Roadhouse! (Bonus burger and cheese toast if I'm feeling lucky.)

Austin: I'm mildly concerned. But hey, it works! I've actually never eaten there before.

Scarlet: Wow... not proud, nor surprised. This is also mildly concerning.

Austin: No way, we text like we email. Like seniors. Old hags. But honestly, I don't mind! It just takes 5 times longer, LOL.

Scarlet: Seniors, yes. Old hags, yes. 5 times as long, yes. You're a man of many truths, Texas.

Austin: Oh, Texas for short? Nice one, Scar Scar.

Scarlet: OK, I'm going to change your name from Austin to Texas Roadhouse now. :P

Austin: WELL, I'm going to change mine to Scar Scar! >:)

Scar Scar: Muahaha I did it, peasant. You shall cower in my wrath of all the Texas Roadhouses.

Texas Roadhouse: The fact that you ended that sentence with a period is both deeply concerning and questionable. No more mild hot sauce, it's all spicy baby!

Scar Scar: Yes!! OK, but seriously, my mom is gonna fry me if I don't go to bed right now. Good night, peasant. (That should be your new nickname, but I'll stick to Texas Roadhouse ;)

Texas Roadhouse: OK, Scar Scar. Night!

Scar Scar: Good morning, Dubai!

Texas Roadhouse: Oh no not this again. *Sighs*, But good morning?

Scar Scar: Hey, can I talk to you?

Texas Roadhouse: Yep! What do you need? I'm here!

Scar Scar: And for that reason I'm grateful, Texas. (With a side of cheese toast.)

Texas Roadhouse: Uh-oh. Are you good? Seriously, please talk to me.

Texas Roadhouse: Scar Scar? You haven't answered your phone in so long, please answer me. Are you okay?

Texas Roadhouse: Scarlet, this isn't funny. This really isn't funny. I'm going to call your mom if you don't text back soon.

Texas Roadhouse: I'm calling you now. Please pick up.

CALLING *SCAR SCAR* (321)-789-0923

***

<Scarlet! You picked up! Oh my God, thank you so much for picking up, I->

Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice message. Please leave a message after the tone.

<Scarlet, it's Austin. I don't know why you're not picking up, and I'm actually scared. This isn't like you, please just pick up your damn phone. Please, Scar Scar. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please just pick up your phone.>

*CALL ENDED*

Texas Roadhouse: Scarlet, you're scaring me. If this is all a sick joke, I'm done pretending. Please answer me. I'm going to call your mom.

CALLING *LILA BARLOW* (321)-653-0924

***

<Hi, Mrs. Barlow. This is Austin Whitaker, your daughter Scarlet's friend. She hasn't been answering my calls, and I'm getting worried. Can you tell me if she's alright?>

<Austin? Austin Whitaker? Scarlet has been going around town with her girlfriends for the past couple of hours. Maybe that's why she's not answering. She hasn't been answering me either, but now is not the time to panic. She's simply having an episode. Don't worry, dear. She is alright.>

<O-okay, ma'am. Thank you. Goodbye.>

<Goodbye, Austin.>

*CALL ENDED*

Austin Whitaker: Hello, Mrs. Barlow. It's Austin again. Sorry to bother you, but it's been almost six hours now. Could I have a follow-up about Scarlet?

Lila Barlow: Of course! Scarlet talks about you all the time. As far as I know, Scarlet is still out shopping with her friends. The girl could go shopping all day if she had the time, and today she does!

Austin Whitaker: Thank you, Mrs. Barlow. I know I'm being paranoid, but I need to know that Scarlet is okay. She hasn't even been reading my messages, which is really odd.

Lila Barlow: Yeah, it is odd, but that's teenage girls for you! And, no, you're not being paranoid. Well, maybe a little bit, but you care about my Scarlet. That's really nice.

Austin Whitaker: Thank you, ma'am. I'll get out of your hair now.

Lila Barlow: Don't mention it!

**

Austin: Hey, Beatrice, have you been out with Scarlet?

Beatrice: No, why? I've been home all day, but she's been with Georgia, I'm sure. She texted me earlier saying that.

Austin: It's just that she hasn't been responding to me at all, and I'm getting worried. Has she been texting/responding to you?

Beatrice: Now that I think about it, no, not really. But I haven't been on my phone a lot today.

Austin: Okay. See you.

Beatrice: See you.

**

Austin: Hey, Georgia, are you with Scarlet right now?

Georgia: No, why? She was out with Grace, I think. Oh wait, no, she was just chilling in her room. She said she was feeling sick, so that's why she wasn't up to hanging out today. Sorry.

Austin: You're fine! Thanks, Georgia.

Georgia: Anytime.

**

Austin Whitaker: Hello, Mr. Barlow. I had recently contacted your wife, Lila, about Scarlet. She has not been home that I am aware of, and she has not been out with friends. I was wondering if you knew if she was alright?

Steve Barlow: Hello, Austin. That is odd, and not character at all for Scarlet. I thought she was out with friends, at least that's what she told us when she left the house at about 10 this morning. We've attempted to contact her, but she won't answer her phone. You know how teenagers get these days.

Austin Whitaker: Yes, thank you. Sorry for messing with you, Mr. Barlow, I will get out of your hair now.

Steve Barlow: Don't mention it, son! Have a great day.

Austin Whitaker: You too, sir.

**

Texas Roadhouse: Scarlet, this isn't funny, and we're all really worried. Please tell us what's wrong, and if you're okay.

Texas Roadhouse: Scarlet, it's almost midnight now. Please respond. Please.

Texas Roadhouse: Scarlet, if we can't find you, which I can't even imagine, and I don't want to imagine, please know that I love you. I really do. If this is the last text message you ever see, please say it back. Please. I love you, Scar Scar, and I always will.

Read

**

LOCAL NEWS UPDATE: A local teen girl was found with a bullet wound to the shoulder in a field outside of her Stone Avenue home. She was found by her friend Austin, who had found her location through the teen's father, who wishes to remain unknown. The neighborhood was shaken up by this occurrence, and the teen has been recovering in Stone Avenue's General Hospital. Go to our website to learn more about this heroic act of bravery from Austin.

Doctors say that if it wasn't for him, the teen, who wishes to remain unknown, would have perished from her wounds. The case is still being further investigated.

**

Texas Roadhouse: Hey Scar Scar! Back from the hospital yet?

Scar Scar: Ugh, no, but I'm going to die if I have to eat another one of these paper meals. Can you bring me some real food the next time you visit?

Texas Roadhouse: Of course, my lovely queen. And you know what I'm going to bring?

Scar Scar: Texas Roadhouse?

Texas Roadhouse: Texas Roadhouse!