Page 22 of We're At It Again

Her eyes widened as I swung my leg over and stood before her, so close our shoes touched. I craned my neck down to look into her eyes.

“You need to let loose more often.” I said. “It reminds me of the old Luna.”

“The old Luna?”

I shook my head, mounted the bike, and revved the engine to bring it back to life.

“I’ll see you around, Snow.” I said, pulling away from the curb, and disappearing down the street.

?

I have attended more parties this month than in my whole high school career. The pulsing bass of the music and lights cast a hazy glow over the sea of people. Despite my usual aversion to crowds, I was drawn to the energy.

As I scanned the room, I saw Maya waving at me from the Beer Pong table. She beckoned me over. With a reluctant sigh, I weaved through the crowd until I reached her side. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she tossed the plastic ball into my hand.

“As reigning champions, we have a reputation to protect.”

I smiled at her enthusiasm as I stood beside her. The familiar weight of the ball in my hand increased my competitiveness. I glanced at the two meat heads across the table and flicked my arm, launching the ball into one of their cups. Tension mounted with each shot as we battled it out for supremacy. They had one cup left. Maya took the last shot, sinking it in with a satisfying splash. We cheered as I threw my arm around her shoulder and pulled her to my side.

“We did it!” She said, raising her hands for a high-five.

As the celebration continued, I felt the need for fresh air. I excused myself out onto the porch and lit a cigarette. The cold air was vengeful, and I tugged my jacket tighter around my torso.

I caught sight of a figure stumbling in the distance. Squinting through the haze of smoke, I recognized the familiar figure.

Without a second thought, I rushed to her side with my cigarette dangling on the edge of my lips. I reached out to steady her. My phone rang in my back pocket, causing me to stumble in surprise. My grip on Luna slipped, causing her to tumble to the ground. With a frustrated sigh, I checked the caller ID. Dad. I debated whether to answer or to help the girl lying at my feet.

“Hey, dad,” I said. “What’s up?”

Luna groaned, but I ignored it.

“Where are you, kid?” He asked. “I just got home.”

I took in my surroundings. The house was far away, but the pounding music vibrated under my feet. I spotted two junior girls near the bushes. One was holding her friend’s hair back as she vomited. I scrunched my nose in disgust.

“I’m at a party.”

I’d never been able to lie to my father. There was a pause on the other line.

“Alright, stay safe.” He said. “Don’t come home too late.”

He ended the call. I sighed in relief and tucked my phone in my back pocket.

“Hudson, why is Luna on the ground?” Maya asked as she approached us.

“I found her like this.”

With a concerned expression, she crouched beside Luna and attempted to lift her.

“Let’s get you home.”

Luna groaned in protest. She lifted her head, displaying her smudged makeup streaking down her face.

“He doesn’t love me, Maya.” She said, her words slurred with the effects of the alcohol.

“You’ve got this handled from here, right?” I asked, not equipped to handle these kinds of emotions.

“I need your help!” Maya said in disbelief.

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