31

HUDSON

I APPROACHED THE REFRESHMENT TABLE when I bumped into Eli and his girlfriend, Lily. The music in the gym was loud, but it was cut off, drawing our attention. My eyes scanned the room, landing on a commotion near the center of the dance floor. I was shocked to find Luna and Cynthia fighting. My heart skipped a beat, but a part of me couldn't help but feel a thrill at seeing her unleash her anger.

I rushed towards them but didn't intervene. Instead, I stood at the edge of the crowd watching Luna fight back with a fire I hadn't seen in a while. This was the most exciting thing that's happened to me this year. I took out my phone to record a video until Jockstrap intervened. I booed him.

"What is wrong with you, Luna?" He asked.

Without hesitation, she punched him square in the face. The crowd gasped, and a murmur of shock rippled through the room. I couldn't help but smile with pride. That's my girl. And I got it all on video.

"That's for cheating on me." She said, her voice trembling with rage.

He clutched his jaw, anger flashing in his eyes as he took a menacing step closer.

"You crazy bit–"

Before he could finish, my fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. The room fell silent.

"Don't ever speak to her like that again."

My voice was low and menacing. I grabbed Luna's arm and pulled her out of the gym. The crowd parted to let us through.

Outside, in the cool night air, I led her to my truck. I opened the tailgate and lifted her, so she was sitting on the edge. She shivered. Without a word, I reached into the backseat for my hoodie and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thanks." she whispered, pulling it around her.

I placed my hands on each side of her on the tailgate and looked at her with a smug grin. She narrowed her eyes to slits as if she knew I was about to tease her.

"What happened to no fighting tonight?"

"I meant you. It was my turn tonight."

I grinned, taking in her ragged appearance. The tattered Snow White dress was covered in punch, and the strands of hair were disheveled in all directions. She still looked beautiful. I tucked a strand behind her ear and frowned, noticing the cut on her cheek.

"You're hurt."

"It's nothing." She said, dismissing it with a wave of her hand.

"It needs to be cleaned."

I reached into the back of the truck for the first aid kit my dad insisted I always take with me. When I pulled it out, I spotted Luna attempting to jump off the tailgate from my peripherals.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"You are not coming near me with that." She said. "It's going to burn."

"Only for a second."

"That does not make it better."

Ignoring her, I opened the kit and grabbed everything I needed. She pulled her head away as I reached to hold her face.

"It has to be done, Snow."She shook her head. I'd forgotten how difficult she could be. Always the nurse, but never the patient."Do you know Eli once broke his arm from jumping off a ceiling?"

"What?"

I chuckled at the memory.

"We were fifteen and his older brother came to visit from college. Eli worshipped the ground he walked on and wanted to be cool in front of his big brother."

"What does his brother have to do with him falling off a roof?"

I had to hold back a smirk, as I knew I had her distracted. Her guard was down, and I took that as my chance to clean up her cut.

"His brother used to do these insane stunts and I may have dared Eli to jump off with his skateboard and into the swimming pool."

I gripped the side of her face as I dabbed at her cut. She didn't even wince.

"Of course you did." She said, invested in my story. "Did he make the jump?"

I dabbed at her cut a few more times before pulling away with a satisfied grin.

"No," I said. "Because it never happened."

Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

I closed the first aid kit and slid it back inside the truck.

"Your cut is clean."

She lifted her hand to her cut so fast she almost slapped herself. Her eyes widened.

"You distracted me."

I folded my arms across my chest.

"It worked, didn't it?"

She feigned anger, but the glimmer in her eyes contradicted her.

"Your mom used to do that when we were kids."

My expression softened. I reached out, my fingers tracing the edge of the cut.

"It worked every time."

Our eyes met; nostalgia stretched between us. I leaned in, my gaze never leaving hers. Her eyes were void of hesitation. As our lips were about to meet, the exit door burst open.

"Luna, are you okay?" Maya asked, rushing over.

We sprang apart, both of us had reddened cheeks. Maya bit her lip once she realized what she'd interrupted.

"I'm fine." Luna said after an awkward silence.

I cleared my throat, disappointed at what might have happened if Maya hadn't walked out.

"Let me take you home," I told Luna, before turning to Maya. "Do you need a ride?"

She shook her head.

"No thanks. I'll get a ride with my date."

I nodded before helping Luna off the tailgate and led her to the passenger side. She waved goodbye to Maya before I closed the door. I rounded the car to my side, stopping as Maya stood with a smirk and her arms folded across her chest.

"What?"

Her smirk widened.

"Nothing." She said. "Have a good night."

"You too."

As we drove away, the night's events replayed in my mind. I glanced at Luna, wrapped in my hoodie, and felt a warmth spread through me. She was going to let me kiss her. Or she was too shocked to register what I was going to do? But either way, I was going to kiss her.

?

The gym echoed with the rhythmic sound of cheerleaders practicing their routines. Luna stood in line, trying to ignore Cynthia's mean remarks. She's still bitter after the Halloween party.

"You call that a jump, Luna?" she asked, her voice carrying over the music. "My grandma can do better."

Luna bit her lip, focusing on the next move. I rolled my eyes at her. Almost a month ago she was grappling with the girl at the party, and now she's letting her undermine her every action.

Their coach called for a water break, and I approached Luna on the sidelines. I handed her the water bottle and she thanked me before drinking it as if she'd escaped the desert.

"You know you don't have to put up with her." I said, nodding towards Cynthia, who was flipping through a clipboard.

"I need this for college applications." Luna sighed.

"There are other things you could do for credit."

"Like what?"

I tucked my hands in my front pockets.

"You could quit cheerleading and get back into photography."

Her eyes widened.

"I've been on this team since freshman year. I can't just quit."

"Of course you can. You've been miserable."She hesitated as if my words hit closer to home than she wanted to admit. I saw doubt in her eyes and leaned in with a smirk."Imagine Cynthia's face when you tell her off in front of everyone."

She looked over her shoulder at Cynthia laughing with her pretty committee. Luna turned to me with determination in her eyes.

"You're right."

She marched to the center of the court, and I trailed after her, not wanting to miss the action.

"Luna let's get back to practice. You need it." Cynthia said, causing her friends to laugh.

"No."

Their laughter ceased at Luna's words.

"Excuse me?"

"I quit."

A hush fell over the gym as everyone turned to watch the unfolding drama. Cynthia's face turned red with anger. I had to bite my knuckle to keep from bursting into laughter.

"You can't just quit."

"I think I just did." She said, turning on her heel and walking away.

She didn't even look back when Cynthia let out an indignant screech. I met her with a proud smile on my face.

"I didn't think you'd do it."

"Me neither."

I helped her with her bags, deciding it was best to flee before Cynthia went psychotic.

"So, what's next, Snow?"

She shrugged.

"I don't know."

"You'll figure it out."

"Maybe." She said, as if she'd never contemplated her life before. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"I still have no idea what your plans are."

I looked away, my expression hardening.

"Who knows? I'll see when I get there."

She frowned.

"Did you apply to any colleges?"

I tossed my head back with a groan.

"Can we please not discuss this again?"

She frowned.

"I just want to know why."

My eyes flashed with annoyance, and I knew I needed to distance myself before things escalated.

"Just drop it, Luna." I said, before disappearing around the corner.

She wouldn't understand. No one would.

?