After meeting in a mental ward, two troubled teens, Luna and Archie, become best friends and support one another through the many trials of high school, including a group of bullies who threaten to reveal Luna's darkest and most scandalous secret. T...
"Your brother," said the text. Sinking back into my seat, I stared at the teacher's scribbles on the whiteboard. The clock's second hand twitched but I felt and existed in nothing. The teacher spoke, but I understood none of it. My fingers touched the desk. Though I knew I was feeling the smooth surface, I couldn't actually feel it. I felt nothing. I rolled over my wrist and looked at the blue-green veins. This was blood, right? Was it drawn on? Was it real? If I cut myself, would I bleed? If I bled, would it be real or fabricated so I can pass as human.
The students around me grew antsy. They stacked their things atop their desk though the teacher kept lecturing. A few minutes later, the bell sounded. School was out.
I stood.
I gathered my things... I think.
I left the room and went to my locker.
Luna opened the locker and put her things inside.
Luna wanted to run. Exercise always made her feel better.
I ran my hand through my hair and felt the tail ends of my ribbons. With a tug, I loosened the bow and let the ribbon flutter to the floor, watching as it shimmered and snaked like a banner to the tiles of the locker room floor.
Music? Did she want music?
Yes.
I grabbed my headphones and phone. My body moved on its own. As I exited the locker rooms, I caught my face in the mirror. Everything looked normal. Luna raised her hands to her cheek and pressed down, but they were numb. Oh, well.
The track was empty. Luna stretched out her hip flexors, preparing to run. Music played over and over through the earpieces.
Luna ran and ran. There was nothing but the hollow footsteps that filled her head. Her heartbeat in her chest–at least that was a real organ.
She ran and then... her arm jerked back. Fingers wrapped around her wrist.
Familiar fingers! Bad and constricting! With a gasp, Luna twisted around and jabbed the older boy in the ribs, pulling up and under his ribcage to take his breath away. When the boy crumpled to the track, she stood, aloof. Her programming wouldn't and couldn't decide her next action.
With his hand clasped against his side, the boy looked up at Luna.
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END OF CHAPTER
TRANSCRIPT FOR ACCESSIBILITY:
[IN SCREENPLAY FORMAT, THE CHAPTER CONTINUES]
ARCHIE
Holy crap, Luna! Where didja learn that?!
(Archie winces)
I suppose I was asking for that, though, sneaking up on you and all. Why didn't you answer your phone?
LUNA
(She acknowledges the phone in her hand.)
This?
ARCHIE
Yes, that! Why didn't you answer me?
LUNA
I don't know. (In monotone)
ARCHIE
(Stands up, still rubbing his side)
Okay, but... I find you here? How are you going to get home?
LUNA
(Shrugs)
ARCHIE
Well, do you want me to wait for you?
(Claps his hand against the balcony banister)
How about we go see a movie when you're done? We haven't done anything together in ages, and I've been wanting to see that movie The Prophecy Recognized.
LUNA
(The name of the movie means nothing. She shakes her head)
ARCHIE
What?!
(He looks disappointed)
You don't want to go?
LUNA
(Shakes head)
Not that. I don't know the movie.
ARCHIE
Oh! It's an action flick about a guy who hacks people's brains, steals their passwords and personal identification, then blackmails them! It's like if Nightmare on Elm Street were an action flick.
LUNA
(Shrugs)
Okay. Sounds good.
ARCHIE
Awesome! I'll, uh, wait
(He jabs his fingers to the side of the track)
Right over here until you're done?
LUNA
We can go now.
ARCHIE
What? Really? But...
LUNA
I'll do whatever you want.
ARCHIE
(Looks bashfully away and runs a hand through his hair. Luna is confused by this.)
Well, uh...
(With recovered composure)
...I think you should run a couple miles and make it worth it! Then you'll be nice and warmed up for the walk to the theatre. Sound good?
(He gives the thumbs up and backs away)
I'll be over here on this bench.
Archie trips over his feet as he walks backward to the bench. Luna watches but doesn't laugh. Archie sits down and gives her another thumbs up, which signals Luna to restart her run. As Luna runs, she hears nothing but the sound of her footsteps echoing in her head. After running five kilometers, she stops and cools down.
ARCHIE
Ready?
(He looks up expectantly like a puppy dog.)
LUNA
I suppose.
The two walk off together as Archie, chattier than usual, talks about him and his dad, cracking open geodes together one summer. Luna listens but doesn't hear.
