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Instead of answering, I confidently walk to the bow and lift it up, then nock an arrow. My arm muscles want to shake as I pull it back, slow and meticulous. Keeping both eyes open, I line up my shot. The bow string rests next to my cheek before I blow out a breath at the same time I release. The sharp weapon makes a whistle in the air before hitting perfectly in the middle of the target.
Owen laughs. “Fin, she kicked all our asses! Come on, Luna. Let’s go talk about prom. I won’t be using you as a shield if you let me be your date.” He’s voicing all my insecurities, even ones I’ve refused to admit to myself until now.Am I that transparent?
“Luna is not going with you,” Fin argues, but Owen takes my hand and pulls me away. My heart rate spikes before I shake it off. Fin is right here. He won’t let anything bad happen to me.
I allow Owen to drag me away from the group, but only because I’m mad at Fin. I shouldn’t be. But I am. I’m annoyed that only now he announces we’ll be going together, after his sister dressed me up and his friends took notice of me.
I want him to suffer a little. In the end, we both know we’ll be going together.
“Don’t let Fin treat you less than what you’re worth,” Owen scolds. He doesn’t even like me. I wonder what his angle is. “Come with me. Get the real prom experience.” He winks and adjusts himself behind his zipper.
I roll my eyes.Oh fuck.“Thanks for the pep talk.” I shake my head as I immediately turn and start walking back.
I can’t believe I thought justmaybesomeone could be interested in me. Not in my body, but my glowing, fun personality. Every male who’s interested, only wants one thing. Sex. I know I don’t dress like the other girls in school, or flirt. But sometimes a girl just wants to feel wanted. To feel special. And for once, I was even willing to act like every other girl in my school.What is wrong with me?I need to take off this ridiculous outfit, put on my normal clothes, and watch a horror movie. Then I’ll feel like my old self.
“Luna!” My name is an ear-piercing scream.
I look up to see Fin’s wide eyes. Just as he takes one step toward me, I feel the sharp sting of the arrow piercing my skin.
Fin
Ithappensinslowmotion. I’m standing, cursing at Owen for flirting with Luna. I want to rip off his arms for touching her. And she lets his slimy fingers hold on to her. I fire off two arrows, trying to rein in my frustration. Not caring if I hit the board, I carelessly launch off a third. My eyes follow the arrow and my heart stops when Luna rounds the corner. I yell, “Luna!” while dropping everything and run towards her, hoping that I miss. Her face lights up seeing me before her bright blue eyes grow wide as she looks from me to the arrow in her arm.
Three inches to the left and I would have punctured her heart.
I do a quick assessment, making sure I only pierced her arm. Half of the arrow sticks out on either side of her bicep.
“Blood for blood,” she says our motto in a soft shaky voice that gives away her shock. She’s alive, and I want to hug her. Her sense of humor has my heart racing a little less. I look forward to her drawing blood on me.
“Fuck, Fuck, Fuck,” I hiss. My mind is spinning a hundred miles per hour, and I can’t think clearly about what I should do next. I’m standing here like an idiot.Fix this. Fix this.My hand touches her punctured arm once again. “I’m going to fix this. I am so fucking sorry.”
All the color drains from her face, leaving her pale. Her fingers tighten on my hand as her entire body dips to one side. I focus on holding her upright not noticing her grab something from her back pocket. A throbbing pierce is felt in my hand as I watch her swipe her favorite knife across my palm. It cuts deep, my palm immediately bleeding down her arm.
I deserve it. I won’t fight her on that. Her beautiful face is turning from white to a grayish-green color now. Ignoring my bleeding hand, I pick her up and cradle her in my arms. Her head rests on my shoulder as she tries to mask the pain that has to be radiating through her.
One silent tear escapes her ocean-blue eyes.
My father comes out of the house, yelling for everyone to leave when he sees I have friends over. But then he pauses when he spots Luna in my arms. His face turns redder with anger. It’s not uncommon for him to come home ready to fight. By the slight sway, I would guess he’d had a few drinks with lunch today.
More silent tears run down Luna’s face. The mascara my sister put on her thick lashes wash down her cheeks.
“Fin, what the hell have you done?” His eyes are large, a vein in his forehead protruding. His voice booms across the yard. It should frighten me, not knowing what her father, Nicoli Rossi, will do because of this. I want to kiss away her tears. These last few moments could be my last ones on earth, after her father learns the truth of my mistake.
“Owen, drive Luna home and call ahead so they know her condition.” My father faces me then and punches me in the face. My head whooshes backward so hard I almost drop Luna from my arms. Then Owen is taking her out of my grasp as I try to clear my head from the massive blow I just took.
My father drags me into the house by the back of my neck, his fingers gripping hard. I’ll have bruised imprints on my skin.
“We need to leave,” he demands frantically, and then he pauses, his attention on Nessa.
I want to ask what the hell is happening. My sister is calm, standing by the stairs. I look from her to my father, confused. I wish I felt as calm as she looks.
“Why aren’t you packed?” He looks bewildered as he stares at my sister. When my father demands something, you do as he says. There’s never an option to disobey him without painful consequences.
“I called Uncle. We’re not going.” She stands straighter, and I’m lost in what’s happening. My father looks like he might go on a killing spree.
My hand is still dripping blood, so I press it against my shirt. “Why did she call Uncle?” I question cautiously. My father has always been jealous that he wasn’t the firstborn. He wanted to rule.
“He’s a rat, Fin!” my sister yells.
