Under a Silent Moon

24

Chapter Twenty-Four: Monsters in Your Head

ZACK

I can feel the painful extension of my fangs through my gums the next morning at school as I'm pushed into my locker.

When I see the culprit is Grayson, I relax my muscles and regain stability before addressing my friend. "Dick."

"Hey bitch," he says, leaning his large frame against the locker next to mine.

I startle when Jordan manifests behind me. Why the fuck am I so jumpy today?

"Jesus. You scared me."

Jordan furrows his eyebrows in the dramatic way that he's always doing. "Is it because I'm black?"

"That literally makes no sense," I say, grabbing a textbook and closing my locker.

"Racism is senseless, my friend."

"I'm having people over next weekend when my folks are out on business. You coming?" Grayson asks, but it doesn't sound like a question.

"Uh, um--" I stammer, trying to organize my thoughts. "Yeah, I guess. Sure. Who's coming?"

He shrugs. "Us. Amelia, Erin, Andrea." He and Jordan share a look. "Lana."

I try to hide my confusion. "You invited Lana?"

"No, but you are."

I'm quiet for a moment, looking at Grayson with suspicion all over my features.

He waves away my concern. "Oh, we'll be nice to her. Chill out. Let's have some fun." He pats me harshly on the back and walks away. Jordan shrugs at me as he follows Grayson, as if this is the first time he's heard this part of the plan too.

I debate even telling Lana about Grayson's little party next weekend because I'm almost positive she won't want to come. And I wouldn't blame her. I don't think my friends have been historically nice to her. But I want her to come, to be a part of my friend group. I don't know why it matters to me if they get along, but it does.

When I arrive at the gym, I scan the bleachers for Lana but she isn't there. I approach Gemma and ask her if she's seen her, but she shakes her head and says she doesn't think she came to school today.

I shoot her text but the message stays unread throughout first period.

Carly and Sebastian are near Lana's locker after fourth period and I ask them about her whereabouts as well. They exchange a pitiful glance and Carly says, "She probably slept through her alarm. Lana isn't exactly getting an award for perfect attendance."

"She isn't answering my texts. Is this normal?"

The both of them shrug. "It's hard to tell what's normal for Lana sometimes," Sebastian tells me.

That answer isn't good enough for me. I make my way to the cafeteria where the junior high is about to have lunch. I spot Amanda with a group of friends walking down the hall, and I approach her, hoping that my concern for Lana won't translate as creepy.

"Hey Amanda," I greet her and she stops dead in her tracks. "Did your sister come to school today?"

The way she's looking at me makes me want to check a mirror and see if I've got something on my face.

"Amanda?"

"Uh, no," she finally says as if just now hearing me. "No, she was drinking all night. Wouldn't wake up this morning no matter how hard Mom pounded on her door. She's probably still drunk." She rolls her eyes at that last part.