Page 5 of Where the Stars Heal

“MADISON! YO, MADI!” We look up and across the street to a guy standing there with his dog on a leash.

Oh my god, is that a French bulldog?

Madison waves back and calls out, “Hey!”

I go back to looking around the quiet area, not wanting to pay the guy any more attention in case he comes running over here, wondering who I am. It’s still quite early in the morning, but the sun is warming up, and the skies are sovividly blue. I hear birds all around, and the air is fresh. Madison said that things don’t start happening around here until after ten. You have your early birds and fitness people, but mostly everyone loves the midday to late-night lifestyle here.

A shadow falls over our table, and I startle, seeing the guy reach over Madison to grab her muffin. He smiles at me and shoves the piece into his mouth.

“Hey, I’m Connor. You must be Hunter’s lil sis. Didn’t catch you last night when you arrived.” He’s holding his hand out, waiting for me to shake it.

My eyes drop down, and I see his dog standing by his feet. I pull out from my chair, bend down, and start scratching behind his ears, “Hiiiii, lil guy, aren’t you just a bit cute.”

I really struggle with meeting new people, and Madison already hits my quota for the day.

“Con, really? I was enjoying that.” I look up to see Madison scowling at him.

Connor laughs lightly like he’s not offended that I completely ignored his handshake or that Madison is annoyed at him for stealing her muffin.

“This is Ace. He’s the best boy in the world,” he tells me.

I glance over at Connor, and he’s looking at me with a warm smile. He’s tall with light sandy-colored hair that’s pulled back in a knot. Lean but broad, he’s very handsome in a surfer guy kind of way.

“Sorry,” I say and look back down at Ace. “I’m Halle, the new girl.”

Before anyone can call me out on my rudeness or give me a disapproving look, I jump back up, thank Madison for the coffee, and start walking back the way we came. Logically, my brain knows that nothing has happened, that I’mokay, and that Madison and Connor were just being polite. But the way my heart starts racing, and the panic I feel over the expectations they may have of me has me running away.

I hear Madison call out to me halfway down the street. “Halle, are you okay?”

Looking back, I see her standing next to Connor, both of them wearing confused expressions as they look at me.

I don’t need them to see my panic set in, so I yell back, “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll see you guys later.”

I make it back to Hunter’s and stop on the sidewalk, not ready to go back inside yet. That would mean facing Hunter and all of his questions. Laughter catches my attention, and I move toward it, further down the street. I see a park at the end and a dirt track off to the side that disappears into the trees. Kids are already swinging on the swings and the jungle gym, having fun, their laughter ringing all around. They look so carefree, and a pang of sadness hits my chest. That’s a feeling I never got to have as a kid. I head toward the dirt track and follow it, not sure where it’s leading, but the stillness, the silence amongst the trees, has a calming effect on the anxiety that started creeping back in at the café.

I hear the rush of water first before I reach the end of the track. Stepping through the trees, the area opens up, and—ohwow—this must be one of the famous waterfall creeks Hunter tried to talk up to me. The crystal clear water flows over rocks and pebbles, and sunlight filters through the trees surrounding the creek. Further out, near the small waterfall, the water looks deep enough to swim in. Moving toward a large rock, I take a seat and hold my knees to my chest, gazing around. I can’t help but admire the beauty of this town. The laughter from the kids down at the parkechoes through the air, taking me back to happier times with Hunter.

We would sneak out every Saturday afternoon after hours of chores and being told what to do over and over again by Ray. Hunter would always find me silently crying outside, the mean words hurt the most when I was younger.

“You’re not that fucking stupid, are you Halle?”

“You’re fucking useless.”

I still feel useless. Back then, Hunter wouldn’t ask what was wrong, he’d just grab my hand and take me away. I could see the worry in his eyes, though. I could sense his pain. I’m not sure what caused Hunter’s pain, but it was there.

We never had any money, but most Saturdays, we would find our way to the small arcade and we would wander around, watching all the kids play games with bright flashing lights and music. It was one of the only times we would laugh and joke. Hunter used to tell me that one day, he’d have all the money in the world, and we could come to the arcade and play as many games as we’d like for as long as we’d like. Turns out that was a lie because that one day ended up in Hunter leaving. I tried going back after Hunter left, but walking around an arcade by myself as a ten-year-old in clothes that had holes in them and shoes that clearly didn’t fit my feet was apparently frowned upon by the adults that were there. Ray had to come get me. I was so scared of what would happen, but it was just more mean words.

“You’re a fucking burden, Halle.”

After that day, when I was home, I wouldn’t leave my room unless Mom was there. She was my safe place. He never said anything to me when she was home.

A tear slips down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away,taking a shuddering breath as I look out toward the water. I wonder how my mom was so good, so safe, and yet she chose him. I’ll never know why now. I miss her. I miss her hugs and the way she would make me feel when she walked into my bedroom after a long day. The comfort she would bring. If she just stuck around, we could be here together. Getting our lives back on track with each other.

Standing, I realize I’ve lost track of time. My stomach rumbles, and I’m stiff from sitting for so long. I probably should get back before Hunter goes searching for me.

As I get closer to Hunter’s, I hear people screaming at each other. Quickening my steps, I rush towards the front door. The closer I get, the more I can make out Hunter’s voice.

“Mads, how the hell did you lose my sister?”Oh no… no, no.He sounds frustrated.

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