'Til Death Do Us Part (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 4

 Avery knew he shouldn't be nervous. It was just an extended family gathering, what was the worst thing that could happen? Still, as he checked his reflection again, he couldn't shake the chills that ran down his spine. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, reassured himself that everything was going to be fine, then stepped into the living room.

The elegantly decorated room hummed with chatter and laughter, and music played from speakers embedded in the walls. There were at least fifty people crammed in the relatively small space, and claustrophobia gripped Avery's chest like a vice. Still, he smiled and laughed with the rest of them, and as he grabbed a thin-stemmed glass from a tray, he knew that he'd been wrong to be anxious at all. This is great! Everyone's happy, this actually seems like a-

The front door slammed open and the chatter abruptly ceased. Tall figures emerged from the walkway cloaked in shadow, human embodiments of darkness. The leading figure stepped into the room, the bright lights illuminating his corpse-like pallor. An ominous smile played across his lips,

"We're here. Let's get this party started, shall we?"

***

Avery sat in the living room with the rest of the under-eighteens as the adults argued and plotted in the conference room. Most of the Whitesuns were chattering brightly about nothing in particular, while the Blackmoons conversed in hushed whispers and glared at the Whitesuns. The Whitesuns glared right back, fake smiles still plastered on their faces, and the tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Avery looked around for a distraction from all the fakery and hatred, and his eyes fell upon a girl hunched over on one of the chairs, silky black hair obscuring her features. She didn't seem to belong to either group of people. Just like me, Avery thought.

He walked over to her, ignoring the alarm bells going off in his head.

She's a Blackmoon!

But she's alone- she doesn't belong, and neither do I! I have to at least say hi.

But she's a BLACKMOON!

Avery pushed the thoughts out of his head temporarily, and tentatively rested a hand on the girl's shoulder, "Are you ok?"

The girl's ice-blue eyes flashed as she shook her hair out of her eyes, and Avery was instantly confused. Blue eyes? Wait a second-

Mira hit him in the side, hard, knocking the wind out of him and forcing him to collapse to the ground. She glared at him, one hand on the barrel of her gun,

"You again? Why are you following me? What do you want?"

Avery scrambled back, eyes wide in fear. He gasped for breath, "I-I swear, I don't know! It's just a coincidence; I promise I'm not following you!"

Mira laughed ruefully, "Nice try, but I'm not an idiot. That trick won't work on me twice. Did my father send you? Why are you here? This meeting is for Whitesuns and Blackmoons only; no one else knew about it."

Avery tilted his head to one side, puzzled, "I could ask you the same question- how'd you get in if you weren't part of either family?"

Mira sighed and fingered her dyed hair, "I... am a Blackmoon."

"But Blackmoons don't-"

"Don't look like me?" Mira sighed, "I know. I suppose you're a Whitesun then? Since you look exactly like them."

Avery suddenly found a very interesting spot to stare at on the ground, "Ah, actually... I am."

Mira narrowed her eyes, "You're lying."

His dark green eyes met her icy blue ones, "I'm as much Whitesun as you are Blackmoon."
Mira sighed and sat down in a chair. After a moment, she spoke, "Seems like we have more in common than I thought."

Avery nodded wordlessly and fidgeted, fumbling with his hands. He sighed.
Mira glanced at him, "What is it?"

Avery gazed at her. "I...I think I know you, Moon," he murmured, deep in thought. "You seem so familiar."

"We met when I attacked you. A week ago." Mira said coldly.

"I know, but I feel like I knew you before that, too," Avery insisted. "I feel like I've known you for a long time...yet I don't know why."

Mira studied Avery for a second. His green eyes were bright, almost familiar. His black hair was messy, but it only seemed to make him cuter. Mira shook the thought out of her head, disgusted with herself. Cute? I'm not some love-struck schoolgirl. He's a threat, and I'm focusing on physical appearances. What is wrong with me?

For a moment, Mira saw an image of them sitting together and talking...ten years ago? Mira gasped, and the memory dissolved.

"No," she said coldly, standing up suddenly, "I don't know you. I'm leaving."

Avery's eyes widened and he stood up as well, "I-I'm sorry, Moon," he stammered. "I-I-I didn't mean t-to-"

"Goodbye," Mira replied icily, flinging open the door and storming outside, "Never speak to me again."

Avery followed Mira, apologizing over and over again. "I'm so sorry," he said, his eyes brimming with tears, "I really am... I just thought..."

As he continued, falling behind her, the memory flickered again in Mira's mind, this time even stronger. Love and warmth sparked suddenly, and she glanced at the boy behind her. She knew she wasn't being fair. Most of her anger was at herself, anyways.

Mira slowed down near the gate and turned around. She groaned internally. I can't believe I'm doing this.

Taking a deep breath, she called, "Wait!"

Avery turned, and his eyes lit up. "Yes?"

"My name isn't Moon- it's Mira. Mira Blackmoon."