Have You Seen This Girl?

*Anna's POV-

I took off work early, to go shopping with Cara and Paula,
secretly. My parents couldn't find out.

I stood outside the diner, while tiny snowflakes floated down on me. The
Michigan weather has taken a very cold turn. I wrap my arms around myself, to
stop my body from shivering. I wanted to pull my phone out and call Cara, to ask
where they were; but my hands were numb, and tucked away under my arms. I
sighed, seeing my breath, in the air in front of me.

Just before my body completely froze over, Paula's car came speeding into the
parking lot. She really needs to slow down when she drives. Her
car came to a screeching halt, in front of me. I heard the car unlock, as I
grip the handle, and fling the door open.

"Hey doll." Paula greeted. "Hope you aren't too frozen."

"I'm nearly a snowman." I whined, buckling in my seatbelt.

"Snow-women." Cara corrected, with a proud smirk on her lips.

I shot her a dirty look, and sat back in my seat."Whatever."

"Anyways." Cara sighed, but shortly after her smile formed, once again. "I can't
believe the show is tomorrow. I am so excited." Cara exclaims.

"Its going to be amazing." I agree. "I'm just a little nervous about sneaking
out and everything." I mumble, while I twirl my thumbs.

"Stop worrying about it." Paula huffs. "It will all work out."

I rub my temples, and reply, "I sure do hope so."

"Technically, you are sneaking out right now." Cara points out. "You're parents
think you are working, right now."

"Blah, blah, blah." Paula mocks. "Can you not be so uptight for like, five
seconds?"

"Oh, I'm sorry that I'm not and delinquent." Cara yells, turning to Paula.

I roll my eyes, and decide it was about time I but in. "Guys, stop it. Let's
just pretend that I'm allowed to do this, and stop fighting with each other.
Please."

Cara and Paula sighed together, and both gave in. "Fine." They said, at the same
time.

"Good, now let's just focus on finding cute outfits for tomorrow." I said,
calmly.

"Agreed, I have to look hot for Josh." Paula sang, while she danced around in
her seat.

"Josh?" Cara and I both questioned.

"What about Alex?" I asked, with a bit of laughter.

"There are plenty of cute band members in the sea." Paula laughs. "I'm just
testing the waters."

I shook my head at her. "You are such a whore." I said, being as serious as
possible.

"Am not." She gawked.

•••

After a couple hours of shopping around at the mall; we were on our way home.
Paula parked at the end of my street, so my parents wouldn't find out.

"See you guys later." I said, as I step out of the car.

"Good luck, with your parents." Cara smiled, as she waved to me.

"Thanks." I laugh, as I shut the door.

When I got to my house, and nervously opened the front door. My parents were
sitting on the couch, watching TV.

"Hi." I greeted them, closing the door behind me.

"Hello." My mom said, looking up from her magazine. "How was work?"

"Uh, good." I said, shakily. "So, you guys..." I started, sitting down on the
empty chair. "I'm working on this huge project for school. It's a really big
part of my grade, and I'm working with Paula."

"Where is this going Anna?" My dad interrupts.

"Just hear me out, okay? We still have a lot to do, and it's due Monday. So,
could I please go over to Paula's? To work on our project..."

"Anna, you know you are grounded." My mom hissed.

"I know, but it's for school." I sighed, slumping back in the chair. "If we do
bad, we'll fail the class."

"Well, perhaps you can go. Ill have to talk to Paula's mom." My dad said,
folding up the newspaper.

"There is a lot of work, so I'd have to spend the night." I said, trying to hide
my excitement.

"What class is this for?" My mom chimed in.

"Uh, English 4." I nod, acting like I was serious.

"Fine, you can go." My dad stated, before I shot out of my chair, to hug him.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I repeated happily.

"But," My dad went on. "I have to drop you off there, and talk to her mother."

"That's fine." I smiled. "I'm going to go get my stuff together." I said, before
skipping upstairs, to my room.

I threw some of my stuff into a duffel bag. Mostly clothes, for the concert.
Also, some stuff for 'my project.' Then I quickly went back downstairs.

•••

I sat in the passenger seat, shaking. I just kept thinking, 'What if we got
caught?'

We pulled up, in front of Paula's house. I took a deep breath, then exited the
car. My dad and I walked up two small steps, up to her porch. My dad heavily,
knocked on the front door. Paula appeared in her picture window, next to the
door, pulling the blinds back. She smiled and waved, then dissapeard. Suddenly,
the front door opened, standing there is her mom and herself.

"Hey, Anna." Paula said, pulling me inside the house.

"Not so fast." My dad said, placeing his arms on hes hips. He turned his
attention to Paula's mom. "I don't want her leaving the house, she's only here
to work on their project." He sternly, went on, "Anna is not allowed to use a
computer, or phone, unless she is calling me."

Paulas mom smiled reassuringly, "I completely understand, I will keep a
close eye on them. And make sure they stay on task."

"Thank you." My dad nodded. "Have a nice night. And Anna," He called to me,
"Behave."

"Of course, dad. I love you." I said, then hugged him.

Once my dads car was out of sight, we all sighed in relief.

"Goodness, he is so strict."
Paula's mom complained. She was in on our plan.

"Try living with him." I exclaim, falling down in the couch.

"Get up." Paula commanded, grabbing my hand, and yanked me off the couch. "We
have to go pick up Cara."

"Ugh." I groaned. "Fine, but. We have to hurry, so I can get some beauty sleep."

"You have to look for Jack." Paula mocked, rolling her eyes.