The Brightest Stars

Annabelle

"Have you seen Kristen?" AJ furrows his brows with worry as his eyes search the different groups of people coming out of the cafeteria.

"Nope. I haven't seen her since Gov. Why? Is everything okay?" My eyes follow Skyler coming up to our table. A smile forms on my lips when I see Julia next to her.

"No. It's nothing. I just...I'm just worried about her. That's all," AJ says. His eyes are almost sad and guilty.

I reach out to gently hold his hand and look into his warm eyes. "Hey. You'll have your chance to talk to her. For now, I think you should give her some space." Even though we have not talked about it, we try hard to ignore the awkward moment we had yesterday evening. So he gives my hand a soft squeeze and I let his warmth envelop me again.

"What's going on?" Skyler says when she sits down and sees the scene. Her dark blue eyes search our faces with worry.

But Julia does her sweet smile and says, "It's probably nothing. Just a couple in love." She gives me a wink, but I shake my head and she immediately gets that she didn't help at all. "Or I mean...um...Never mind." AJ and I try to avoid each other's eyes as we do an awkward laugh.

So much for avoiding last night's awkwardness.

Skyler ignores the surprise in our expressions and laughs it off. "The future will only tell."

"Har har, Sky." AJ gives her shoulders a side hug and kisses the top of her head.

Suddenly, my eyes catch a glimpse of familiar blonde hair and the brightest green eyes I've ever seen. I smile at Luna as she makes her way to our table. "Hey! I thought I would see you in Theatre first!"

Luna laughs and says, "Xander needed to do something else right now. But I thought I should stop by when I recognized you from afar." Her eyes then fall on AJ and Skyler, and the tension fills the atmosphere. Her smile disappears and all she does is move her chin up to say hello.

AJ copies this same movement and rolls his eyes. Skyler's eyes grow dark and she seems to ignore her presence as she looks into her books. Julia is the only one that gives her a smile.

"Did your boyfriend put some ice on his chin?" AJ smirks at Luna, making her brows furrow. I quickly furrow my eyebrows at him and he lowers his eyes in guilt. He quietly says, "Sorry. Couldn't help it."

Skyler sighs as she tries to let all this weight off her shoulders. "Why don't you sit with us? Let's just put this aside. I'm tired of being angry."

"Well!" AJ says with a tight smile. "You ladies can have the rest of the table to yourselves. I'm gonna continue lunch with my buddy."

Skyler's eyes immediately fall on Ty who's at a tree waiting for AJ. He gives us a wave and for the first time, Skyler gives him a genuine smile. Her blue eyes show off a new kind of shine for him. AJ gives Luna one last nod and gives me a quick wink as he leaves the table. I'm left with a smile and shaking my head at him. I try hard to ignore that small hint of a flutter in my stomach.

The school day passes much quicker than I would've expected. Even my last class tends to be the longest one. But as the bell rings, yesterday's troublemakers separate from their respected group of theater kids and we all walk silently towards the Janitor's office. Some shoot daggers at each other, but we all obey our consequences. Yet, my eyes keep stealing quick glances toward Max. I know he does this as well as I feel his bright eyes on my back.

AJ knocks on the door and almost immediately, Mr. Jameson opens the door with a crooked smile. "Why if it isn't the trouble gang. Come. Come in." His voice is scratchy as he says this and we all hesitantly follow his limping legs inside the small room. As we squeeze into the room, a quick touch of Max's arm against mine sends sudden shivers down my spine. I can only wonder if he feels that same electricity that I feel.