| luna |
I swung my bag over my shoulder as I headed into the main school doors.
Sophomore year.
The halls were swarming with busy freshman and few other people. Nobody else really comes to school this early.
As usual, students moved aside with scared looks on their faces as a path was cleared for me. Whispers of my name filled their voices as I walked down the halls, but I chose to ignore them.
I'm not special or unique in any way.
I'm not popular, I don't recall going to any parties, or getting into fights. I didn't do anything weird that could've gone viral and I didn't have sex over the summer with a guy from the basketball team.
I headed towards my locker and unlocked it as I rummaged through my stuff. I cursed under my breath as a familiar brunette leaned next to my locker. "Hey girl," She smiled and I scowled. I'm not a total monster. Her enthusiasm can be very contagious.
I'm just allergic to it.
"How can I help you?" I asked as I pulled out a textbook and placed my bag inside the locker. "Just checking up on you. I do this all the time," She says and I raised my eyebrow.
"Oh come on, Luna. I do this every other day. I sometimes bring brownies?" She grins. "They are nice," I said with a shrug as my voice trailed off and that's all she needed to hear to set her off.
"You do remember me! Anyways, a bunch of us are going to the Valley tonight, if you wanna come. We'll be under the big sign," She continues and I shut my locker door and unlocked my phone.
"Hey, umm that sounds like a great idea, but I doubt I'll be able to make it. Sorry!" I yelled as I walked away from her whilst checking for messages.
The first bell for class rang and I headed up to the floor I needed to be on and went to my first class. I walked to the back of the class but suppressed my frustration when I saw my seat was taken.
"Next class I want my chair back," I said to the random boy and he couldn't respond because the teacher began the lesson.
| harley |
My phone vibrated and I slipped it out under the desk as my teacher continued droning on about some new method of algebra. It was Carter. I lifted my head up and he was watching me from the back of the room.
carter: there's a party at the valley. you going?
me: we're in class
carter: you weren't paying attention anyways
I rolled my eyes just as the bell rang. I locked my phone and got up to pack up my stuff. "You didn't answer my question," He said as he took my textbooks for me and I sighed as I put on my backpack and we both walked out onto the halls.
I nudged Carter and we moved aside as she walked past us.
Luna Kendrick.
She's feared by most but if you ask me, she wouldn't do shit even if someone paid her to.
"She's...something," Carter says and I looked up at him and he's gazing at her too. "Stop staring," I grumbled as I dragged him away from her view. "So, the Valley?" He asked again and I sighed. "C, I got homework," I muttered as I unlocked my locker and he scoffed.
"I'm gonna pretend you didn't just say that," He answered as he handed me my books and I placed them inside, along with my bag, shut my locker door and leaned against it. "Hey Carter, you going to the Valley?" A guy from the group of basketballers that walked past called. "Yeah man, I'm going," Carter responded as one threw him a basketball, which he caught with ease. "What about you Harley? You coming?" They asked and I groaned.
"Fine, I'll come," I grumbled and Carter's face lit as he pulled me in for a hug and I smiled. "Okay, you can let go of me now," I muffled and he released me as I pushed back the strands of hair that fell in my face.
| khloe |
"Stop staring at Carter like that or you'll trip again," Athena muttered and I snapped out of my gaze as we continued walking down the corridors. Everyone moved aside as we walked down the halls and I lifted my head up. "I wasn't staring at him," I grumbled and she scoffed. "Yeah right," She laughed and I sighed heavily.
Athena can be a lot sometimes.
"Hey, why don't you ask him if he's going to the Valley tonight?" She urged as we stopped at my locker and my eyes widened. "There's no way I can do that," I hissed and she smirked as a small freshman girl appeared with a drink.
"They um didn't have your usual," She stuttered as she handed Athena her drink. She took a sip before grimacing. "That will do. Go away." Athena said as she waved her off and the girl disappeared.
"You have got to stop doing that," I said as I took the drink from her and handed it to some random boy that walked past. "Oh, can you throw that away please?" I asked and he nodded slowly before staring at us as he walks away.
"Well you're gonna have to ask Carter cause he's coming this way."
I practically stuck my head in my locker as Athena called his name. He approached us with that girl he's always with.
You'd think they're dating but apparently, they've "been best friends for years". Athena poked me and I winced as I turned around and tried to act cool. "Hey, Carter." I said with a slight wave before momentarily looking at the girl. She was so pretty, and her hair was amazing and her skin was glowing...
"Khloe was just talking about the party in the Valley," Athena began and I looked confused.
"You were talking about the Valley weren't you?" Athena asked through gritted teeth as she stared at me and I nodded rapidly. "Yeah, um yeah I was. I wanted to know if you would go with me- if you was going," I stuttered and I honestly wanted the floor to swallow me whole. The girl smirked as she looked up at Carter.
She's probably laughing inside at how stupid I look right now.
"Yeah, I am actually. Harley and I are going already so I guess we'll see you there?" he asks. "Who's Harley?" I blurted out and the girl waves her hand to make herself known, whilst looking at me. "I'm Harley," She responded and I nodded my head slowly.
"Okay well we gotta go, but we'll catch you at the party!" Carter says as he rests his arm around Harley's shoulder and she waved goodbye as they walked away together.
As soon as they were out of sight I slid down the lockers and to the floor. "Yeah, that was really sad to watch," Athena said and I look up to see her texting and I sighed.
"Tina, you could've at least tried to not make me look stupid," I grumbled as she held out her hand and I took it and pushed myself up to my feet.
"You don't need me to look silly in front of your crush," She began as she fixed my hair and adjusted my school shirt for me. "You do that on your own." She finished and I gave her a blank face.
"Stop pouting. We're gonna be late for biology." She said as she linked her arm in mine and we both headed down the corridors.
| luna |
"So you're really not coming to the Valley?" Ricky asked as I took the blunt from him and took a puff. "What even happens at the Valley anyways?" I asked as I shifted on the hood of his truck.
We've known each other since before my family died. I pushed everyone out, but he was the only one that cared enough to stick around and be a pain in the ass. I've become used to his presence.
"It's just a spot that everyone goes to chill at," He replied and I pushed my hair off my shoulder. "How do you know about this party anyways? It'll be full of Woodcreek kids," I muttered as I mentioned my school name.
It's a terrible name.
"You know, you make the whole 'badass chick' thing look easy, even though I know you're secretly a loner that's bored all the time." He commented as I took another puff and passed the blunt back to him.
"Nobody thinks I'm badass," I countered and he gave me a look. "Trust me, everyone thinks you're badass." He replied and I checked the time. It was almost 8 pm.
"So when does everyone go to this Valley place?" I asked as he checks his watch. "Everyone's been there for over two hours now," He answered and I climbed off the hood of his car. "Let's go then," I sighed and he climbed off too and we both entered the car.
The drive wasn't that long and the Valley was packed. It was a huge crater-like hole that was filled with sophomores dancing, and socialising. There was even a barbecue.
"This is what I get dragged to?" I ask as I motion to the party happening below us. "What's wrong with it?" Ricky asks and he handed me the lighter and I relit the blunt and took a puff.
"This is totally gonna ruin my "badass" reputation," I muttered as we both descended into the crater. There seemed to be no stares, which was appreciated.
"You know something?" I called out to Ricky over the loud music and he responded by placing his arm over my shoulder, to which I removed. "I really need to get my own entourage. Sometimes hanging out with just you is boring," I finished as we walked past the moving bodies and he rolled his eyes.
"Good luck trying to make friends when everyone's afraid of you." He responded.
| harley |
"Harleyy! The life of the party! What drink can I get you?" Carter yelled as he approached me and I rolled my eyes. "Ignore him, can I just get water?" I asked over the music to the guy behind the stand and handed him the money. He tossed me a chilled bottle and I turned to face Carter.
"Stop drinking. You're driving me home," I said as I gave him the bottle and he shrugged and took a long swig. He tried to give it back to me but I shook my head. "Have you seen Khloe yet?" I teased and he looked confused.
"The shy, popular girl that has an obvious crush on you?" I repeated and it dawned on him. "Oh her? Um, I think I saw her by the DJ booth. But I wouldn't know I can only see colours right now," He said and I folded my arms.
"Aww, you was a pretty shade of yellow and now you're just red." He said as he ruffled my hair and I swatted his hand. "Sober up," I hissed as I put on a smile. "Hey, guys!" Khloe approached us but her eyes were mainly on Carter. She clearly had a few drinks too.
The poor girl definitely needed them to survive tonight.
"Hi! Who are you again?" Carter said as he pointed at her with a puzzled look and disappointment washed over her face. "I'm looking for Khloe. Do you where I could find her?" He asked and her face lit up.
"It's me. I'm Khloe!" She said pointing to herself as she hopped around, and I tried to register the shitshow happening in front of me. "Do you wanna dance?" She asked and he nodded his head.
She grabbed his hand and they disappeared within the mass of people.
"So much for my ride," I grumbled.
| luna |
I bobbed my head slightly to the music as I took another sip of my drink. I watched from above as Ricky raced up the hill towards me. "Something bad's gonna happen," He said out of breath and I gave him a confused look.
"What are you talking about?" I laughed as I took another sip. "A storm," He said and I gave him a confused look. "A storm is coming," he says and moments later rumbling shook the Valley.
Loud murmurs echoed from below as I felt the rumbling of his truck. "Ricky, what the hell is happening?" I asked slowly as I looked up at the sky. Sure enough, that's where the rumbling was coming from. "How'd you guess that this would happen?" I ask as I scrambled off the top of his truck. "The weather forecast?" He suggested with a shrug and the ground shook again.
I felt my fingertips tingle as I looked up my eyes widened as a huge lightning bolt flashed in the sky and headed straight towards me.