38. Frankie

Tonight is the lunar eclipse.

The moon hangs heavily in the sky, its light dimming as the shadow slowly creeps across its surface. I should be excited like everyone else, but instead, a sense of dread fills me. I've spent the entire day dodging people, avoiding their questions and prying eyes. Matteo, Dorian, Professor Blackwood—everyone wants something from me, and I just need a moment to breathe.

I slip out of my dorm, my footsteps silent on the cold floor. The halls are eerily empty, the storm outside having driven everyone indoors. My car is parked at the edge of campus, and I make my way there, grateful for the solitude. As I drive into town, the radio plays softly, but the music does little to soothe my nerves. The rain taps against the windshield, a rhythmic reminder of the storm brewing both outside and within me.

My mind keeps returning to the same thought—my shadows. They set me apart and make me unique. They are a burden and a gift that changed everything for me. I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. This power could ruin the relationships I've built. It goes against everything I want, everything I've worked for, but can I ignore it? Can I pretend it doesn't exist?

I planned to walk away from it after graduation. I planned to live a life somewhere along the coast, quietly working for some unknown company and living my best hacker life. The image of a serene beach contrasts starkly with the turmoil inside me. Between the past sneaking up on me, and the fact that what makes me unique may not be so unique, I feel like I'm having an identity crisis.

Just get through the party, and then figure it out tomorrow.

The semester is over, the holidays approaching quickly. I'm thankful the school ends the semester before Thanksgiving. We are kicked out of the dorms for cleaning, and Tori already went home yesterday. The loneliness of the impending holidays weighs on me, adding to the sense of isolation.

The town is quiet, the streets nearly deserted. I park in front of the Grotto, music rolling out of the doors. Sitting there, I stare at the darkened sky, my heart heavy. This rare cosmic event feels like a ticking clock, and I can't figure out why.

I want to embrace this party, but there is a darker feeling in the deep pit of my stomach that demands I look for trouble—the very trouble Abbi told me I was full of.

I step out of the car, the cool night air hitting my face, and make my way into the Grotto. It's almost empty, just a few patrons scattered around. I order coffee and find a seat in the corner, my thoughts still racing. The scents of salty sea and ozone ground me for a moment, reminding me of the stability I crave but can't seem to grasp.

Matteo's words echo in my mind—even the strongest gem can break under enough pressure.

He doesn't know the half of it. None of them do. Not how I ended up here or what happened to me—they know nothing.

Maybe because you don't let anyone in. I can't.

I think back to Matteo, his steady presence and surprising honesty. His protective nature has been a silent comfort, a reminder that I don't have to face everything alone. Could I trust him with this secret? Would he understand? And Dorian… He challenges me, pushes me in ways no one else does. Would this power push him further away or bring us closer? The thought of them both knowing, of seeing the truth, sends a shiver down my spine, a mix of fear and hope.

Bishop? Leo? Tori?

They have all hinted that they know something more. I just don't know if I can get my mouth to say the words to another person. Every time I tried to open up to Valerie that first year, she cut me off, among other things. The memory of her cold rejection still stings.

Pushing her out of my head, I slide out of my Jeep and slam the door shut. Students mill around, but for the most part, it's pretty low-key, especially considering the owner's sister would arrest anyone out of line. The air is thick with anticipation, the energy of the night buzzing around me.

I'm barely through the front door when Tori crashes into me. Her eyes are wide with excitement, her cheeks flushed. "Frankie! I thought you weren't coming!"

"I needed to get out," I say, my voice barely audible over the music. The warmth of the room envelops me, contrasting sharply with the chill outside.

"You and your disappearances," she teases, but there's concern in her eyes. "You okay?"

I force a smile. "Yeah, just needed some air."

I gently pat her on the back, and when she pulls away, her beer breath spills over me.

"You're cut off," I tell her, turning her giggling self toward an empty table.

Hiccupping, she says, "I talked to Mom, and I have an idea."

"That's never a good sign." I make sure she is sitting before flagging Andy and miming for water. Her red curls sift around her face as she nods and takes off.

"No, hear me out," she insists. "We have six weeks until spring semester."

"We do." I fold my arms on the perpetually sticky table, the wood worn smooth from countless drinks and conversations.

She licks her lips nervously before flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Stay with us."

"What?" Shock ripples through me.

"I'm serious. Mom said she'd make up the spare bedroom so you wouldn't even have to sleep with me again." She gives me a silly grin. "It'll be fun."

My belly churns and sloshes. "I?—"

What should I say? I've always just stayed at the women's shelter, but Marcus made sure I wouldn't have a place to sleep there anymore. What about those who can stay there? I mean, I'll be close.

Tori reaches out and lays a warm hand on my arm. I just stare at it. "Think about it."

Jerking my head up to look at her, I nod. "Okay."

Aside from the women's shelter and dorms, I've never lived in a home before. I know how bizarre that sounds, but having someone give a damn about me and where I sleep at night feels both terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time.

"Oh," Tori squeaks, "don't look now, but Leo and Matteo just walked in."

I do exactly what she tells me not to do—look.

Turning almost entirely around, I see when Leo finds me, a huge smile stretching across his face. My stomach flutters as he grabs Matteo and drags him over to our little table. Keeping eye contact, he grabs a chair, spins it around, and plops down beside me.

"Hey, echo." He smiles at me like I'm his entire world.

I'm not, so I look away, only to see Matteo sitting on my other side. They are sandwiching me between them.

Tori lets out a dreamy sigh just as Andy walks over and slaps a water bottle into Tori's hand. "Your mom will have my ass if you're drunker than a skunk at midnight before the eclipse happens."

Tori hiccups and grabs the water.

"Why are you drinking so early?" It didn't strike me as odd until just now.

"It's nothing," she says behind the water bottle right before she downs half of it.

Matteo grunts. "Lie."

He's like my own personal lie detector test. "Alright, spill."

Andy squints at her, her head tilted to the side. "You know, come to think of it, you aren't acting right." She slides into the seat beside Tori.

"If you aren't comfortable—" I start.

She cuts me off. "It's not that." She tightens the cap on her water. "Chloe and Amanda."

I grind my teeth, holding back from telling her just what I think about those two fake-ass bitches.

"Told you the redhead was no good." Matteo crosses his arms, leaning back.

Leo clears his throat, a blush heating his face. There is definitely a story there, but now isn't the time.

"What did they do?" My voice comes out harsher than I intended, but that can't be helped. Those two are awful humans.

Tori shrugs, but her bottom lip wobbles before she explodes. "Okay, so we were supposed to throw the lunar party ourselves after we realized no one was having a big party. Then, before the weather decided to be unpredictable, we were going to have it at the cove." She gives me a look, knowing how I feel about them taking over my safe space.

Leo elbows me, reminding me of what we did in the water there. The memory of our secret, stolen moment stirs something deep within me.

Matteo doesn't miss a beat, his observation skills picking up on every interaction between the two of us.

"Then, when the weather decided to be super stormy for like the tenth month in a row, we knew the cove wouldn't work out for us, so we decided to have it here," Tori continues. "When I decided our friendship was shit, they chose to throw their own party at the cove, and they took half the school with them." A lone tear rolls down her face.

If it were just me, I wouldn't give a fuck, because no one will ever find me actually throwing a party, but Tori? It's important to her, and now I feel like it's important to me. What the hell is happening to me?

"Want me to call the team?" Leo offers. "I bet I can convince them to come out here."

"Really?" Tori hiccups between tears. Andy softly rubs her shoulders. Popularity still means everything to Tori, but she's making progress.

"Hell yeah. Let me call." Leo gets up, his phone already pressed to his ear as he steps out of the bar.

Tori sniffles a little more. "He's so nice." More tears. "Chloe wanted to make him a part of her pack."

There is that word again. Pack. It seems to hold more weight than just a casual group of friends. What does it mean for her… for us?

"Anyway," Tori rushes on, not even acknowledging that word, "they told me I'd never be popular without them. Chloe said I was just a wannabe, trying to fit in with people who'd never really like me." Her voice trembles as more tears spill over. "And Amanda... She said I was a charity case. That everyone just tolerates me because they feel sorry for me."

My blood boils, rage simmering just below the surface. "Those bitches," I mutter, clenching my fists. "They are wrong, Tori. You don't need them."

Matteo's jaw tightens, his eyes darkening with anger. "They are jealous. They see your kindness as a weakness because they don't have it in themselves."

Tori sniffles, trying to smile through her tears. "I know, but it still hurts. They spread rumors about me, Frankie. They told everyone I was desperate and that I'd hook up with anyone just to get attention."

I feel my nails digging into my palms, barely keeping myself in check. "They are pathetic," I say through gritted teeth. "And anyone who believes their lies is just as bad."

Matteo nods in agreement. "You're better than them, Tori. Don't let their poison get to you."

Andy wraps an arm around Tori, pulling her close. "We've got your back. Always."

Leo returns, a determined look on his face. "The team's coming. We'll have a real party here, one they'll be sorry to miss."

Tori's eyes light up, hope flickering in the midst of her pain. "Really?"

"Really," Leo confirms, a fierce glint in his eyes. "We'll show them what real friends look like."

More tears. How are there any left in her little body?

"You guys are the best." She sniffles. Then, just like that, a switch is flipped and determination stretches across her tear-streaked face. "We're going to need more snacks." Panicked, she turns to Andy. "Let's go, the eclipse starts in just under two hours. We are going to need more chips."

Laughing, Andy stands to let Tori shoot out of her seat. "Thank you." Andy turns to me. "I never liked those two girls. I might need my bouncer to kick them out if they show up." She winks at me before walking away, leaving me between two very delicious rugby players.