Page 34 of In the Light of the Moon

Head cocked like a cat playing with its dinner, Graham’s lips pulled wide to show all of his white, straight teeth, “How could I not know the name of the newest witch in town? Beautiful one at that.”

It wasn’t a secret, necessarily, that Granna practiced witchcraft. And, I figured, most just assumed I was a witch by association. Whatever. “Well, you better let me pass if you don’t want me to put a hex on you,” I seethed.

“Whoa,” he said loudly, “no need for threats. Just wanted to extend my warmest welcome and see if you’d want to hang out sometime?” Some people passing were turning their heads, not-so-covertly eavesdropping but doing nothing to intervene.

Perhaps I was more like Granna than I’d previously realized, because my first reaction was to stand back, look him up and down with a cutting eye, and scoff, “Please. There’s nothing you can do for me. Leave me the hell alone.” And when he made to block the path to my car once again, I shoved my body forward with all of my might. Like I’d hoped, it took him by surprise enough, and he staggered backward, nearly falling on his ass. His descent was caught on a set of bicycles chained to a rack that fell to the sidewalk instead.

When he glared up at me, handsome facade cracking, I spat at his feet, lest I give way to the fiery urge I had to truly claw his flesh from his face now that we were nearly eye-level.

The eyes of passersby were wide, but I was much more focused on the hot tears falling down my cheeks to feel embarrassed by the scene that’d just unfolded. Throwing myself in the car and merging into traffic, I waited until I passed the historic downtown’s sign, where the road widened, to scream.

I yelled until my throat felt raw to keep from crying any more, but my eyes were still puffy and red when I pulled up back home. With a miserable glance at the rearview mirror, seeing the absolute pitiful state of myself, I gave in to the urge to call Orion.Just to hear his husky voice, to hear his reassuring words. If I couldn’t have his arms around me, that would do. Just to tide me over.

No answer. Straight to voicemail, in fact.

It was insane and needy, but I called again. And then again. He didn’t even have a personal voicemail to placate my spiraling state. My fingers were shaking as I resorted to a text message.

Orion?

With phone in hand, convinced I would miss his call if I put it down, I set out to do just what I’d planned. Granna wasn’t home, probably out with Roz again, and I thanked the universe and goddess and whoever had decided to take mercy on me with this small blessing. Even when they’d given me this hellacious day in the first place.

I changed into my favorite Freddy Krueger t-shirt, stripped down to my underwear, and dove under my comforter. I texted Orion again.

Are you okay?

The movie began to play in my darkened bedroom, overhead fan on full blast to cool me down. But I could hardly concentrate on even the opening scenes, the wrath I’d been riding now tanked into my familiar companion—anxiety. He’d warned me about the reception, but surely he would’ve sent a message stating he’d arrived okay? Right? Or maybe he had, but it wasn’t able to deliver?

Or… was it a lie? Had he even said who he’d be campingwith?

I replayed our conversations about it and, no. No, he hadn’t.

I made another two calls to his phone, fully accepting my crazy girlfriend status, now. Why would he turn his phone off,knowing that I’d be worried?DidI have a reason to worry? Instead of letting the comforting gore settle my mind and emotions, I let my worries flood my being.Trust my intuition, my ass.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Sylvie

Itucked my loose hair behind my ears and clapped my palms together. The respectful applause echoed softly in the student lounge after the final reading of the event. I’d barely been able to focus, but my own stubbornness kept me planted, faced forward, and ignoring the man behind me.

The normally cozy and haphazard student lounge had been rearranged so that the couches and chairs and beanbags were all facing a space up front that made a stage. The lights were low and mostly concentrated where the ten or so performers stood before the crowd and read their various poems and excerpts.

Orion had arrived just before the performances began, forced to not sit with me, even though the intensity in his gold and green told of his desire to. His hair was standing in all directions, the curls messy and delicious, and I just wanted to massage my nails against his scalp and watch the goosebumps appear on the back of his neck.

But, I was still hurt, so I’d pointedly lifted my chin and looked away.

After sitting in my room for three days, glaring at the phone I’d turned off in retaliation, I reluctantly dressed and drove to campus to attend the extra credit event. A few of my classmates, some I barely talked to and some I considered acquaintances, had performed, and, as Granna so lovingly put it, I needed to ‘get the hell out of the house and stop pining like a lovesick thirteen-year-old.’ To her credit, I’d only taken breaks from burning my eyes with movie and TV binging to choke down some food or go to the bathroom.

But showering made me feel a little better. And then sitting at my vanity mirror to apply mascara and lipstick kept my mind from worrying and letting my anger at Orion completely burst into flames. That was reduced to a hot smoldering, now, especially after I put on my favorite skirt and boots.

When I arrived on campus, anxiety won out again, and I turned my phone back on.In case Granna needs something, I tried to convince myself. But she hadn’t had a slip in a long while. To the point that I almost couldn’t quite picture the faraway look she got when she said those strange things.

10 missed calls

Orion’s texts filled my screen.

Sylvie, I’m sorry, my phone was turned off since I didn’t have reception anyway. Is everything all right?

I just spoke to your grandmother, and she said you’re heading to the reading on campus. I will be there and want to talk to you.

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