Me, Me & You

Chapter 7

Though track was off-season, Luna still ran after school unless the cheerleaders had outdoor practice or inclement weather stopped her. I waited by the track for Luna to appear; this wasn't something I could text.

She sauntered unsteadily down the steep hill from the school to the stadium. Despite the fall weather, she had changed from her normal school clothes to tight yoga pants and a tank top with a cartoon dog on the front. She only noticed me when she reached the bottom of the hill, and with some confusion, jogged over to where I leaned against the chainlink fence.

"Archie, what's up?" She cocked her head to the side, making her ponytail swing. "I thought you rode the bus to school." As she spoke, she stretched her arms across her chest to warm-up before exercising.

A whole day had passed since Claire told me that the girls from art were bullying Luna. It was all I could think about. I wondered how I missed the signs and couldn't fall asleep until three o'clock. Then the school day was torture as I watched Luna go about her day, acting like nothing was wrong. During art, the Trio didn't say a word, but I did catch how they would block her way when exiting the classroom. It was so subtle, but so obvious now that Claire mentioned it. I wanted to say something right there and then, but I wanted us to be alone.

"It's been bothering me," I began. "I heard some rumor that you're being... harassed by the chicks behind us in art. How long has this been going on?"

There were a few other questions I had that I kept silent on: why didn't you tell me? Don't you trust me? Can't you rely on me? Why?

With a sigh, Luna sat into her hip, "It's nothing, really. Just annoying."

"Is this all because we laughed that one time? They deserved it." Luna looked away but I continued, "Why are they only going after you, though? I laughed, too."

I wanted to hug her and apologize for not helping her sooner, but then I thought about yesterday and how I imagined Luna instead of Claire... I balled up my fists and kept my arms glued to my sides.

With a shake of her head, Luna sighed. "Honestly, I wondered that myself. I don't know why they are targeting me. I don't think we were that bad or even that obvious." She shrugged again. "I don't know. It's... just..."

Then her eyes teared up.

"Luna," I said with surprise. "It's alright." With some hesitation, I put my arm around her shoulders in a side hug. Part of me wanted her to lean into me, complete the half-hug I began, but she stood with her face in her hands, sobbing and standing like a lone, marble pillar. Not knowing how to comfort her, I hushed her and rubbed her spine, though while doing this I could feel her sports bra through the thin fabric of her tank top. I realized that I was subconsciously looking for the hooks—not to undo them, I'm not a pervert—but just to... I don't know. I jerked my hand away.

She shook her head and I could feel her limbs tremble. Her head kept shaking as if in disbelief.

"It gets worse than that, though." She sniffled, head still shaking. "I was opening my locker and this envelope fell out. Inside was a letter and a razor blade. A piece of paper said, 'Do us all a favor,' on it."

"What?" I stepped back, stunned.

"I'm not lying. I have proof," she pulled her phone from her cleavage.

"Wha—where did you pull that out of?" I asked before I could stop myself, but curiosity got the better of me. Nothing about her outfit seemed practical for pockets.

"Sports bra."

"But..."

"Look," she cut me off. Opening up an image, she held up the screen.