Chapter 4: The Night Lexi Disappeared

Until that night, when Sophia came running into the shop in tears, hair coming loose from its braid, panic written all over her face.

She burst through the door, breathless, eyes wild, hair escaping from its braid. “Have you seen Lexi?” she gasped, voice trembling. I shook my head, worry prickling at the back of my neck. Lexi never just disappeared without a word.

“She got in a fight with Mom and ran out. She still hasn’t come back.”

The panic in her voice was real, raw. She twisted her hands, looking everywhere but at me, like she was afraid I’d blame her too. I grabbed my phone, ready to call anyone who might know where Lexi was.

The fight started because Lexi had somehow bought a lacy bra, washed it, and hung it on the porch to dry. Her mom found it, assumed her husband was cheating and bringing women home, and made a huge scene—everyone in the neighborhood heard about it.

I could picture it—the whole block buzzing with gossip, neighbors peeking through curtains, kids whispering behind their hands. The kind of scandal that sticks for weeks. My heart ached for her, for both of them.

When they realized it was Lexi’s, her mom slapped her across the face, yanked her by the hair, and marched her around the block, waving the bra and shouting:

“My daughter’s something else, huh? So young and already buying this kind of thing to attract boys!”

The humiliation must have been unbearable. I clenched my fists, wishing I could’ve been there to stop it, to shield Lexi from the stares and whispers. No kid deserves that kind of public shaming.

[She deserved to be scolded for that bra. What kind of student buys that kind of underwear? No decent person would wear it.]

[Judging people by their clothes is just low.]

[Is she dating already? Plus, that size isn’t even right for her flat chest.]

It was past nine; the school gates were locked. Sophia had called all her sister’s friends, but no one had seen her. Lexi hadn’t come to my shop, either. Where could she have gone?

The town felt even smaller at night, the streets empty except for the occasional rumble of a passing truck. I grabbed my coat, told Sophia to wait in the shop, and headed out to look for Lexi. I checked all the usual spots—the park bench, the swings behind the rec center, the library steps. Nothing.