Our story first starts in a middle school. It is 3:00 o'clock and school just ended.

Clara, do you want to go to the mall, with me and Jesse after soccer practice?

I'm okay. I'll be at practice, but after I will just stay home and sleep.

Are you sure? You love shopping with us!

I'm sure. I didn't get much sleep this week.

Hi Clara! How was school today?

It was... fine. I'm going to take a nap.

Don't you want to eat, honey? It's your favorite meal.

No. I'm not that hungry...

Clara walks back to her room. With her head held low. She goes to sleep, forgetting about her homework.

Clara sleeps all night long and wakes up late the next morning.

Oh no! I'm late for school!

Clara! You are late again! Next time, you will get a detention! Sit down and open to page 34.

Hey Clara! Where have you been? We didn't see you at soccer practice yesterday!

Oops I totally forgot! I'm sorry!

Sarah and Jesse start to notice changes in Clara. She is not as happy as she usually is and they do not know what is wrong.

Lunchtime! Clara and her friends sit at the table, like they always do.

Hey Clara, what is wrong? You are acting differently lately.

Oh I'm okay. But my stomach hurts. I'm going to go to the nurse.

Okay. But you never leave lunch early.

Yeah. I just don't feel well and stop worrying about me. I'm fine.

Clara leaves the lunch room and hurries to the nurse's office leaving her friends behind.

I'm worried about her. Shes not herself lately.

I think we should tell somebody about her. She needs to get help from an adult before anything gets worse.

Hi girls! How can I help you?

Our friend, Clara. She's acting different. She doesn't want to hang out with us, she skips soccer and class. She also sleeps all day.

How long has Clara acted like this?

Has anything happened with her at home?

She's acted like this for a week now. And I don't think anything different has happened at home.

Okay. Thank you girls. I will talk to Clara now.

I don't even get the point of school. Why would I care about my future?

Meanwhile Clara left school and is running away from home

Clara's mom was just about to leave for work when she gets a phone call from Clara's school.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Hello?

Is this Ms. Smith?

Clara's 7th period

teacher said that she was not in class. She was here in the morning. The social worker here also reported that two girls came to her office and reported Clara's recent behavior. They are worried about her.

Yes. What is wrong?

Clara's mom immediately hangs up the phone and rushes to her car.

Vroom vroom

She drives all around the town looking for Clara.

She drove to all of Clara's favorite places and had no luck.

And finally when she was about to give up hope, she found Clara underneath a tree crying.

Clara! Where have you been? I was so worried about you! I was looking everywhere for you! Are you okay?

Clara tells her mom everything that is bothering her and what is causing all of her stress.