junior year

ten

I ran out of there, using all the strength I had. The wind tore through my skin and my feet were sore as they hit the gravel pavement but I kept going; I had stamina. I had to rely on that. At first, I felt hopeless because when I liked at my surroundings, nothing looked familiar. Thankfully, I'd grabbed my phone, but it'd lost battery as I was making a call to Harry. I slow down, stopping at a small gas station. I was alert, but hopefully my crazy detour led Mr. Kenton away from me. I looked around at the passing cars and as a familiar back car pulled up, I almost dropped to the floor in relief.

"Harry! Syndey!"

I ran toward them, and they then their heads to look for me.

"Luna!" Harry exclaimed, embracing me in an everlasting hug. I sank into him, breathing in his scent. This was real; he was real. I could feel it.

"Step aside, Styles. You don't get her all to yourself."

I laughed, pulling away from Harry and wrapping my best friend in a hug.

"God I missed you guys."

I looked at them. "You got my message."

Harry turned to fill the car up with gas but maintained the conversation. "Truthfully, Sydney figured it out first. She wanted to let you know that when we found you," Sydney rolled her eyes at him, smiling. "What happened?"

I sighed, leaning against the car. "What happened? That's a long story, one for the road. How'd you guys find me?"

"We got the address from your mom. We had to come up with a pretty big lie, though. Figured you didn't want her to know."

They knew me so well.

"Yeah," I say, looking down at the pavement. My bottom lip begins to tremble and before I know it, I break down in sobs. Tears cascade down my face, laced with all the pain and fear I felt. Each one was a reminder, like poison invading my thoughts.

"Hey," Sydney said, coming over to envelope me in a warm hug. "Everything will be fine. You have us here, okay?"

►

The drive home seems to take an eternity, and I'm so infused with paranoia that I can't help but look behind me every five seconds. I keep quiet mostly, except from the occasional small conversation Sydney and Harry make, but they soon take the hint that I don't want to talk. When we finally get there, the sky has dimmed and the moon peaks out from the blanket of darkness that surrounds the sky, shining like a glittering beam. As we pull up to my house, my head leaning against the seat, I feel a sickness in my stomach. It almost feels like a drop, and my palms start to sweat. I was going to tell them, Sydney and Harry first, I decided and then my parents. Of course, both stories won't be exactly the same, but just enough to build up the entire truth.

I unbuckle my seat belt and step out of the car.

"Lets go to the garden and talk." I say.

We come around to the back of my house, to our infamous garden. I didn't spend nearly as much time in it as I used to, but as I sat on the steel bench marked with endless carvings over the years, memories flooded through my mind. This spot is where I would go if I ever felt lonely or sad, and when Sydney and I would pretend that it was our own magical kingdom that just she and I were part of. It was where Harry and I shared our first kiss, and our first I love you's.

And now it would be where I told them about the darkest thing to ever happen to me in my life.

I started from the beginning, all the way to the end. I left out the parts about the mall and other personal matters, but all the big stuff I included. Scary wouldn't even begin to describe it, and it took me sometime to tell it through when Harry face reddened and his fists were held so tight, there were deep nail marks etched in his skin. Sydney wasn't as bad at his, though she did offer to kill him at Harry's request. The whole thing was a mix of emotions, and there were some parts where I cried, and where they cried. But at the end, they embraced me in a hug, a hug that almost made everything seem okay. I just dreaded having to repeat the story to my parents.

Harry and Sydney left about 30 minutes after that, at my request. Though it took a lot of time to convince them that I was now okay and that I was tired and needed to be alone. I walked into my house, my father's eyes widening as he opened the door.

"Luna!" he exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. "Oh thank God you're alright."

"I'm sorry." I said quietly, fresh tears stinging my eyes.

"Luna, where did you go? You had us worried sick!" My mother said, coming into view. I looked up from my father shoulder and gave her a sad smile.

"I have something I need to tell you both."

I'd never been in this situation before. Monday morning, the police were called in and I watched, my head on Harry's shoulder, my hand in Sydney's as they barged into Mr. Kenton's room. He didn't look surprised; his expression was unreadable. The police had asked me questions, and I'd come to a shortened down version of the story since it was unbearable to tell again. They'd also asked around the school, from students in his class and even teachers. There was enough evidence to go against him, and it was final.

He'd be going to prison.

I set my jaw in a firm line as I watched them handcuff him. Students were gathered around, shocked expressions on their faces. Some were even crying, God knows why. They walked behind him, their shoes clamping against the school hallways. It was like everything was happening in slow motion, and all the events of this year were a today wave in my mind. As he came to pass us, he looked directly at me. I quickly looked away, not wanting to engage myself in the emotions that would rush pass me if I kept his gaze. I snuggled into Harry's chest, the swift sound of the school doors opening... and then closing shut.

I open my eyes, and the bell rings, the students going back to their chatter and ruckus like nothing ever happened. I just sit there with Harry and Sydney in utter silence. No one tells me that we'll be late for class or to get a move on. I simple stare straight ahead, my mind empty yet full, knowing I'll never be the same again.

fin