Page 71 of We're At It Again

“Are you going to be jealous of all the college guys that are going to be around me?”

Her eyes held a mischievous glint. My lips raised as arrogance washed over me.

“Not at all,” I said, twirling a strand of her hair around my finger. “I know how to fight.”

She giggled, the sound infectious, before pulling me into another kiss. The worries of the future faded, replaced by the certainty of our love and shared bond. We eventually pulled apart, our foreheads resting together as we basked in closeness.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Snow.” I said, my voice filled with conviction. “We’ll make this work, no matter what.”

With that promise, we continued our picnic. The future held many uncertainties, but we knew we could face them together.

?

I inhaled as I crossed the street to Luna’s house. When I rang the doorbell, her mother answered.

“Hey, Hudson.”

“Hey, Mrs. Delgato. Is Luna home?”

She shook her head.

“She went out with Maya.”

I nodded and thanked her, ready to leave, until she stopped me.

“Wait,” she said, a hint of emotion in her voice. “I have something I need to give you.”

Curious, I stepped inside and sat down in the living room, waiting for her to return from somewhere. She returned with a small box, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She handed it to me. I looked at her in confusion.

“Your mother wanted you to have this as a graduation present.” She said. “When she got sick, she asked me to give it to you.”

I opened the box, swallowing down the lump in my throat. Inside, I found a note from my mother.

I’m sorry I’m not there to see you graduate, but I am so proud of you. Forever in your heart x.

My eyes welled up with tears as I read her heartfelt words. I glanced inside and saw the old locket she never took off. Inside was a picture of the three of us during a vacation at the beach when I was five. Overcome with emotion, I sobbed, clutching the locket to my chest. Mrs. Delgato moved closer and placed her arm around my shoulder, her tears falling in shared grief.

“I miss her every day.” She whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “She would be so proud of you.”

I looked at the locket with her engraved initials. Its significance weighed in my hands. With trembling fingers, I placed it around my neck, feeling an immediate sense of closeness to her. The tears kept flowing, but I felt a sense of peace mixed with them. Despite it all, my mother would be with me for more than my graduation.

?

41

LUNA

THE MORNING OF PROM APPROACHED with a gentle embrace. The first touches of sunlight warmed the crisp air. Birds sang their cheerful melodies, filling the air with a harmonious symphony. Soft hues of pink and orange painted the sky, gradually giving way to a tranquil blue. I breathed in the scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass as I stepped out of my home.

“Where are you headed?”

Hudson stood in his driveway, exuding a rugged charm that was hard to ignore. His overalls hung around his waist, revealing a tight, grease-stained shirt that clung to his toned torso. The fabric stretched across his chest and shoulders. Just below the right sleeve, the edge of his tattoo peeked out. Stray locks of hair fell over his forehead, tousled from wiping away sweat. He had a few grease smudges on his face, contrasting with his striking eyes that held a mischievous twinkle. He leaned down to kiss me the moment I reached him.

“Where are you going?” he asked again, his eyes filled with curiosity.

It was my turn for mischief.

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