golden eyes | irwin [HIATUS]

seven - full moon

Ariel

I stay awake all night, thinking about Ashton and what he had said.

Mali was sound asleep next to me on my bed. I let her have most of my blankets and pillows, because I know she needs a lot of comfort to fall asleep on rough days, including some company. For me, there's no amount of comfort or company that will allow me to sleep on those days. I get insomnia and end up losing a whole night's worth of sleep.

I hate it.

I shift on the bed slightly, doing my best not to jolt Mali awake. She may be sleeping well, but anything can wake her up; no matter how small the disruption. I settle in a position where I can see out my window through a space in my curtains. The moon is almost full, illuminating everything its light touches.

The moon.

Do you think full moons clash with werewolves? Like in the movies?

I suppose Ashton will tell me. He told me he would. He owes me. He knows pretty much everything about me, and I only know the obvious things about him. He's tall, muscular, has curly, brown hair, and his eyes are as golden as the sun. I don't even know where he lives, but he goes to our school and he comes to my house every night, so at least that's something.

Thinking of Ashton, I wonder what he's doing right now.

I feel Mali stir from next to me, and then her hushed voice, "You're awake?" She yawns, her arms stretching up above her head. I turn on the squeaky mattress to face her, nodding.

"I've been awake, honestly," I admit, sighing. "Too much going on in my head."

Mali nods, frowning. "Well, if you want to talk about anything, I'm here."

I smile, thankful for my friend. But I shake my head. "It's there's one thing I'd want from you, it would be for you to get some sleep. You need it." I lean toward her to kiss her forehead, feeling how hot her skin is. For a moment I panic that she might have a fever, but then I remember she's like a human heater. Her skin is naturally warm.

"You should try to sleep too, then," she tells me, her expression caring and compassionate. I always loved that about Mali. She puts others before herself. "We have school in a few hours."

"Yeah," I breathe. "I really don't know what to do about Kylie. I ruined everything."

Mali sighs and moves some hair out of my face. My eyes settle on her face. "Don't worry about Kylie. You did what you thought was best for all of us. She'll realize soon enough."

"I hope you're right."

"I'm always right."

•

School the next day goes just about how I expected: horrible.

Kylie does nothing but ignore me. It's as if I'm not even there. I'm invisible to her. And as soon as she starts doing it to Mali, I crack. I don't usually welcome the idea of ditching school or skipping classes, but so much is going on that I can't focus on anything we're supposed to be learning in the first place. The thought of camping out in one of the bathrooms or going back home sounds so inviting.

I do just that, hoping my mom understands.

I don't do a whole lot at home besides let my thoughts consume me until I fall asleep. I don't think a lot of sleep is good for a person, but at least I don't have to deal with negativity from other people.

I sleep until the noise of my mother coming home wakes me. I stare at my ceiling, my body sprawled over my mattress under my covers. She can't know that I'm home. That's when I remember Ashton should be here any minute now.