Aqua Escape

Chapter 6: Confusion

"What's wrong?" I murmured, touching Julian's shoulder, which made Troy angrier. I was bewildered.

Julian stood. "I'm sorry, Luna, I've got to go." It seemed like it pained him to say it.

I frowned. "Did I do something wrong?"

Julian shook his head again, rain dripping from his hair and body. "No. I did. Sorry," he said in a clipped tone and stormed away without further explanation.

A knot formed in my throat. I turned my confused stare to Troy. His hard glare softened, and he held out a hand. I took it, still bemused.

Troy smiled apologetically. "I have no idea why he left." I could tell he was still lying.

I frowned. "Why were you so mad?"

Troy widened his eyes. "I wasn't mad. What made you think that?" all traces of the seething boy from before were gone. He was back to the kind, attentive Troy that I— barely— knew.

I shrugged, deciding to drop it. I stared wistfully in the direction Julian had left. I was drenched in water, my dress clinging to my skin. My curls were now drooping, so my hair was now only wavy. I followed Troy as we headed back to the early vacant bonfire, which had burned out already. Only Clarity and Kate remained. Julian had vanished.

"Damn it, Luna, I've been waiting for you. What took you so long?" Kate scolded.

"Nothing," I said, not really caring that she was insulting me. I was still a little shaken. Julian... I had no idea why, I barely knew him, but... there was something about him that was attractive to me. I was developing a crush on him, there was no doubt about that. He was just so sweet, funny... he didn't judge me like the other boys.

"Let's go," Kate snapped.

I muttered a goodbye to Clarity and Troy and followed Kate as she yanked me by the arm. It wasn't raining as hard anymore, but we were still soaked. Her blonde hair was plastered to her tan skin, her eyes displaying a ravenous wild that only she could feel.

I hurried after her, disappointed and confused.

I needed to talk to Julian.

I needed him to answer my questions.

***

I ended up showering once more. I dressed in my coziest pajamas and cuddled under the blankets as I rested on the carpet. The room was dark. Kate was God knows where, so I had the room to myself. The adults had gone out to dinner, thinking we'd be home later, so I was alone in the house. It didn't bother me, though.

I pulled out a book. It was from my favorite series, which I'd re-read too many times to count. Across the Universe, by Beth Revis. I pulled the blanket closer to myself, turned on my reading light, and commenced reading. I was transported a thousand galaxies away, far off into the stars as I delved into the book.

I had no idea when I'd fallen asleep, but I awoke some time later. I mumbled something incoherent as I stretched. The room was dark, save for the moonlight seeping in through the shades of the French doors. I turned to look for Kate, but she was still nowhere to be seen. The digital clock on the night stand read twelve A.M.

I sighed and turned on my side. Kate was crazy.

I slipped into oblivion, the gentle pitter-patter of the rain lulling me to sleep.

I awoke around seven A.M. I slipped out of the blankets and went to the bathroom, brushing my hair and teeth. I washed my face and then went to the kitchen to eat.