Page 38 of Saving Stella
He leaned forward. “Is there anything to tell?”
“No, but …”
But what? It wasn’t like Tyler was telling everyone about her personal business—she had done that herself with that video. “I need to go.”
By the time Friday evening rolled around, Stella completely regretted her decision to release that video. The situation at work did not improve. She could barely use her phone now as messages and calls kept blowing it up. Students would just whip their phone out and take photos whenever they ran into her. The local news stations and papers had grown quite insistent as well, and one of them even called the office since she had shut off her phone. She had a sinking feeling that the headmaster would be calling her to his office at any moment.
I have to get out of here.
Mind made up, she ended her last class early and said goodbye to her students, then bolted out the door seconds before the dismissal bell rang. She hurried out to her car before anyone had a chance to stop her.
A profound sense of relief washed over her as soon as she reached home. The moment she stepped inside, she threw her shoes off and sank down on the comfy couch, closing her eyes as she let out a groan.
I should have thought this through.
But it wasn’t like she could do anything about it now. There was no putting the genie back in the bottle, the best she could do was deal with the situation now.
The doorbell rang, making her spring up to her feet.
“Hold on!” she called as she scrambled toward the door. Looking through the peephole, she saw a woman she didn’t recognize standing on her porch. “Who is it?”
“Hi, Stella! I’m Gina Sherman, and I’m a reporter from the Nevada Herald. Do you have time to talk about your viral video?”
Ugh. “Sorry, I’m busy right now!” How the heck did this woman find her home address?
“How about another time? Are you busy this weekend? Maybe you can sit down with me and?—”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Sherman, I’m just not ready right now.”
“Then why did you put out that video?”
“I just thought … I didn’t think it would go viral so quickly. I just want to find my sister and make sure she’s okay.”
“Can I quote you on that?”
Stella fisted her hands. “I’m sorry … please, I need some time.”
“I can help you out, you know,” Sherman insisted. “If your story goes national, more people will see your face, and you’ll be able to find her.”
“I know.” But Stella just wasn’t ready. “I just … I want to figure out what I want to do first, okay?”
After a brief moment of silence, Sherman spoke up. “All right. I’m leaving my card on your mat. Please call me when you’re ready.”
“Thanks.”
Lord, if this is what the local news people did, who knew what would happen if she made national news? No wonder Devon and Charley hated the press.
Perhaps she could still do something about this. Or maybe her video views would eventually die down.
But for now, she needed to get away.
To Momma and Papa’s.
Her parents would always welcome her no matter what, and they might even be able to give her some good advice.
Mind made up, she packed a bag, got into her car, and began the long drive up to Keywoods. Visiting them on the weekends was something she did once a month or so, but usually she left right away from work. Driving on the highway at night with nothing but open desert around her creeped her out.
Stella stopped for gas about halfway, then continued on her way. As she cruised down one of the longer stretches of the main highway, two lights appeared in her rearview mirror. The headlights grew larger and brighter as it came up behind her.