Trailing Stars (Trailing Stars #1)

Chapter 2

Hannah is pacing the foyer when I open the front door. She lets out a breath when she sees me, her blue eyes flashing. Her black hair is tied up in a messy top knot. She only puts her hair up like that when she's really stressed. I grip the strap of my backpack, waiting to see if this is angry stress or worried stress.

"Are you okay?" she asks, wrapping me in a hug. "What took you so long?"

I let out a breath. It's worried today. It's always worried... I swallow and return her hug. "I'm fine." I take a step back, gritting my teeth at her probing look. "I'm fine." I step farther into the house, taking a deep breath before turning to face Hannah again. "Mom, Dad, and Kate aren't here yet?"

She shakes her head. "No. Mom called earlier and said that traffic is just clearing up, so they'll be here soon." Her expression and voice turn carefully neutral as she asks, "How was school?"

I turn my voice carefully neutral, too. "Fine. We didn't do anything today since it's the day before break."

Hannah nods, smiling at me. "So nothing interesting happened?"

Not at school. "No. Not at all."

I rub my arms, and Hannah's eyes narrow. "Are you cold?" Before I can even respond, she's already in overprotective big sister mode. Then again, she's always in overprotective big sister mode. "Why don't you head upstairs and warm up before Mom and Dad get here?"

I nod and walk up the stairs without another word. I feel Hannah's eyes on me the entire time. Once I shut the door, the feeling goes away and I breathe a little easier. I drop my backpack by my desk and throw off my hat, scarf, and jacket as I slump down on my bed and pull out my phone. I go straight to Morgan's Messages and scroll up to where I left off about a year before he died.

Morgan: Hurry the fuck up and get to the ice rink.

Me: Shut the fuck up and let me take my time. What's the big deal anyway? Aren't the others with you?

Morgan: Kassie and Leah only want to watch us skate today, and Jason is in the arcade.

Me: Tragic.

Morgan: The light is too bright. Just hurry and get here. You know how boring it is to skate by yourself.

Me: You mean without someone to tackle off their feet?

Morgan: Exactly.

Me: I hate you, but I'm on my way.

I slowly set my phone screen-down on the bed, chewing the inside of my cheek. When the text thread still plays through my head, I bite harder until the pain is all I can focus on. Even then, some of the texts slip into my thoughts, making my chest tighten. I stare across the room at the white wall, hoping it'll make my mind just as blank.

It doesn't.

The only reason my mind turns elsewhere is that I hear car doors slamming. I get up to peer out the window. Kate, Mom, and Dad are piling out of a brand-new car with duffle bags in hand. My stomach constricts and my chest grows heavier.

That didn't take long for my mind to worry about something else...

How long has it been since I've seen them? Five months? It feels longer but too short all at the same time. But now that they're here, there's not much I can do except face them. I take a deep breath and cross the room to the door. I shut it behind me before making my way downstairs. When I reach the base, Hannah's already opening the front door.

Mom comes through first, giving Hannah a hug. She glances at me over Hannah's shoulder, her eyes lighting up. "Mona." She comes over, pulling me into a hug. I return it with an equal amount of fierceness. Mom steps back—too soon—and the short burst of fuzziness slips away. "How's it been living with Hannah?"