Always

forty-three

L U N A
"It's inevitable
everything that's good comes to an end."

My shoulders felt heavy as I pushed the cafeteria door open and stepped inside. A gush of cold wind from the air conditioning immediately engulfed me, making a shiver travel up my spine. Looking around, my eyes immediately tried finding the familiar pair of storm blue eyes but disappointment rushed through me when I saw him nowhere.

Sighing, I pushed my way to where Amity and Leo were seated on a far table, engrossed in their own little world. Giving them each a smile, I slid into the one free seat opposite to them.

"-and here I actually thought he was worth my time!" Amity said exasperatedly, throwing her arms up as an extra gesture.

My eyebrows drew together in confusion and Leo must've seen my expression because he smiled sadly and explained.

"Remember the awkward tension between Amity and your brother the other day?" I nodded slowly. "Turns out they both hooked up and Tanner even confessed to Amity but refused to go out with her."

"What a prick." Amity mumbled angrily and my eyebrows shot up. Looking up, she realised what she had said and cringed. "Sorry, Luna I just-"

"No, it's okay." I smiled softly but that smile slipped as I shifted back to the topic at hand. "Do you want me to talk to him?"

Her eyes immediately widened. "No! Please, it'll be even more awkward and I can't afford that right now."

Dropping her head into her hands she groaned, making Leo and I share a worried look.

"Hey, listen." That made Amity peek at me from between her fingers. "He's just a stupid boy, okay? Sure, he's my brother and all but," Amity chuckled lightly, making me smile, "don't let a boy hurt you in that way. And don't give him the satisfaction of seeing you hurt."

"Luna's right." Leo added, wrapping an arm around Amity's shoulders and pulled her to him. "You're a mother-fucking queen and anyone who doesn't realise that is a fucking loser."

Laughing at that, Amity rested her head on Leo's shoulder, a wide smile on both of their faces.

"I love you both."

"Ew." That caused her to shove Leo away. He laughed, his bright eyes glinting with happiness as he tried to shield himself from another blow.

Smiling, I watched them, feeling a warm feeling spread in my chest.

But still, at the same time, there was a feeling of impending doom resting on my shoulders. And I hated that.

It felt as if any second, my world would come crashing down. It felt that any second, the things that I feared most would come true, no matter how unrealistic they were. It felt that every nightmare and every frightening thought would spring to life sooner or later. It caused me to shift uncomfortably. It caused me to feel out of place in my own skin. And I hated it.

"Luna?" My attention snapped back to the cafeteria and my eyes drifted over to Leo who was studying me with raised eyebrows, a french fry held right by his mouth. I raised my eyebrows in response, fiddling with the ring on my finger.

"What's up?" He asked, making Amity look up from her phone with a slight frown.

"Nothing, I was just-have any of you seen Kyler?" I frowned, looking around the cafeteria in hope that I'd see him again.