Glowing in the Dark

19 | Lyla bribes a monster

We were all shaken up again. While we eat our lunch at the diner, I suggested we continue searching for the necklace and I promised to use one of my wishes to wish all our problems away.

We ate our lunch at a karenderya because I didn't want to eat with Anthony especially while my thoughts are in a mess.

I poked my egg yolk with my fork, watching it spill out yellow liquid that fell on the rice. I pursed my lips and mixed it together.

Ryan stopped eating beside me. "It's been thirty minutes. Please just eat it."

I dropped my fork and clicked my tongue.

"The friend that will end your existence is Celestia."

He gestured his spoon to me. "You're Celestia."

I scowled. "You said I wasn't."

"I said we weren't sure. Now we are."

"And so you'll die and I'll die and it's both my fault because I'm Celestia!" I groaned, crossing my arms and leaning back. "This is just great."

Lyla, Oliver and Tylor ate silently, watching us speak.

"I'm not Celestia . . ."

Ryan scoffed. "Yeah."

"I can't be her!" I argued. "I thought Celestia was just a name, or a status. But she's a completely different person. She's not me!"

"And why would you say that? After everything the Astrums told you, after every monster we fought and all the use of your powers?"

"You saw her! With the gorgeous hair and everything! She can use her powers to fight! She knows what she's doing! She's powerful! She's a leader! Everyone looks up to her! Everyone needs her! She's important-"

"So you're not?"

I furrowed my brows and stared at my food.

"I'm not."

Ryan groaned. "Oh, come on-"

"No!" I snapped. "Why do I need to keep repeating! You all know very well how dangerous I am! I can't control my powers! And I'm definitely a monster magnet! They're after me! Me! Not all of you."

I took my spoon just to have something to fiddle with.

"If I die, it would be easier for all of you."

Ryan pinched my arm, making me drop the spoon to the floor. "Don't talk like that."