AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I bring his body to the wood and nail him in the face. As we wrestle against one another, I hear the way our bodies squeak against the lane more than I do the shouting in the background. My blood blisters, and I barely feel his knuckles slam into my mouth.
Hands suddenly pry me off him, and I’m in a haze of hatred. Can’t get out.
“Donnelly.Donnelly.” Oscar is clutching my face.
I’m not even on the alley anymore. I’m standing on the 80s carpet by the nacho table.
“Bro?” Concern is all over him.
I taste blood in my mouth. “Where is she?” I ask, trying to see over Banks, Quinn, and Gabe.
“Let her go,” Oscar advises, and hearing that nearly buckles me.
I swallow hard, about to choke out,I can’t.I blink a ton, and crouching down, I run my fingers through my hair, just now noticing I split open my knuckles again. The chain is heavier around my neck, and I untuck the crystal from my shirt.
Oscar keeps a comforting hand on my shoulder. “For right now.”
Right now.Yeah.
I don’t want Luna seeing me like this anyway. She’s already seen enough.
40
LUNA HALE
Has Donnelly been deceiving me?My head pounds with the heaviest confusions and fears. Is O’Malley someone I should trust? What if everything he said is true? Seeing them throw punches is what made me run.
I got scared, feeling like I can trustno onebut myself—and Original Luna is buried too deep. I want her back.
Come back.Please.
Tears burn my eyes, and as family calls my name, I race past them on the carpeted area of the bowling alley. My gaze is on the squiggle and lightning bolt patterns beneath my feet.
“Luna!”
That one voice halts me in place. “Mom?” My voice squeaks, and I can hardly believe what I’m seeing.Is she real?
Fairy wings and a starry headband make her appear like a celestial fae. Beneath her armpits are crutches, decorated with silver tinsel.
Emotion overtakes me, and I bound towards her. “Mom!”
I catch myself before going into a hug.What if I hurt her?
“Surprise,” she says, trying to smile but worry invades. “What happened? What’s wrong? Luna?”
I shake my head, too choked to speak. People are watching.
“Let’s go in here for a sec.” She leads me to the nearest private party room. This one is mostly empty. Just bare tables and empty chairs.
I had my seventh birthday at this bowling alley, and I remember this room. Presents were stacked on the glittery black tablecloths. My mom bought boxes of pizza and balloons shaped like stars. Partly, I wonder if they chosebowlingto help me hang on to a childhood memory that I do have.
For some reason, it’s just a reminder that I’m not a kid anymore. I’m so much older. The party room is nostalgic in a way that aches my heart, but I don’t yearn forthatpast.
I shut the door. “You really came.” I didn’t think she could, since she was just released from the hospital today.
She rests her crutches against the table. “I wanted it to be a birthday surprise.” She tosses her hands up. “Surprise!”
It overwhelms me again. “It’s thebestsurprise.” Finally seeing her means the world to me. Glitter coats her cheeks, but I still spot yellow blemishes beneath the makeup. It’s almost been a week, and she’s still bruised.
