The Memories of Lena Hughs

3

I squeeze my eyes shut so hard that I don't even notice Griffin is standing next to me. I feel a hand on my arm and I jump up. My eyes glow yellow for a split second.

"Hey!" Griffin holds out his hand in front of him. Like he was trying to show a wild animal that he means no harm.

"Sorry. I swear I locked the doors." I wipe the tears from my eyes and walk over to my easel by the far wall. Griffin follows me inside and sits on the bed.

"I heard you yell. Lindsey was walking by and so I had her unlock it for me." I hadn't noticed Lindsey leaning against the open doorway, her long, platinum blonde hair falling perfectly around her shoulders.

"If a door is locked, it is probably locked for a reason." I know he means well. I know he only unlocked the door because he cares about me so I am trying to be calm.

I walk back to the terrace and swing the doors shut. I walk around my room cleaning up various items that had fallen off shelves during the full moon. Sometimes that happens when I get upset.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He saids defiantly. I turn to Lindsey.

"He doesn't understand yet, and I get that, but you do." She looks at the floor.

"We were just trying to-"

"If a door is locked," I say again, slower this time so it really sinks in. "It is locked for a reason." I pick up my paintbrush and I dip the tip in gold paint. I examine the tip. I move it back and forth as it catches the moonlight. I set it down and I pick up my pencil. I begin to sketch the sun in my painting. "You should leave." I say as I touch the tip of the pencil to the canvas.

"You have to understand." Griffin says, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

My pencil snaps in half. I whip around to face him. "No. You don't understand. If you had come in a minute earlier, I could have killed you! I lock that door during full moons for a reason." I turn to Lindsey. "You know that!" I look back at Griffin. "I won't say it again. Please. Leave." I say sternly. He stands up and walks to the door. Lindsey steps out of his way. She begins to leave behind him but she stops. She turns around but I have already resumed painting.

"He might be the only person on this earth that is actually into you. I'm not sure why, but he is." She pauses. I guess she is hoping I will face her, or at least give her a sign that I am listening. I won't give her the satisfaction. "You know, we used to be friends." I can see her painful smile out of the corner of my eye. "Don't push him away like everyone else." She nods, satisfied with what she said, and promptly exits the room. The door closes behind her. I paint gold streaks across the canvas, creating the illusion of the sunlight catching the waves.