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Chapter 7: The Killing Moon

I take in a deep breath and drop my head down, looking at my black cell phone screen. Aunt Rita's laugh begins to fade as I press on the trackball, the screen lighting up to show me that it's 7:45. I take my bottom lip between my teeth and feel my heart begin to race. Only 15 more minutes 'til I see Tegan.

"Sara, do you wanna go out back with us? Your father's working the grill."

I hear my Aunt's raspy voice. I lift my head and trail my eyes to the woman standing in the middle of the room, her eyes low from her fourth beer.

"No, it's okay. I'm gonna be leaving with a friend in a couple of minutes. So, I'll just wait here."

She stuffs her hands in the big pocket of her over sized sweater and nods her head, a lazy smile on her face as she walks into the kitchen. I let out a small sigh and take my bottom lip between my teeth, chewing on it as my nerves start to surface.

"You're nervous, huh?"

I hear a familiar voice. I release my throbbing lip and turn my head towards the doorway of the kitchen, her figure leaning against the door frame; a beer bottle in her hand.

"Yeah, a little."

My Mom takes in a deep breath and pushes her body off of the frame, bringing the bottle to her lips as she makes her way over. She stops at the cushion right next to me and sits down, my body leaning towards her with the extra weight.

"Why?"

She asks, tilting her head to the side with concern. I take in a small breath and close my eyes, the familiar face burning a hole in my mind. Beautiful cream colored skin. Cheeks that blush a bright-pale pink under the summer sun. Supple Nude-Nectar lips that hide her slightly crooked smile. And, those eyes. God, those honey-colored eyes.

"She makes me nervous."

I whisper, opening my eyes as my cheeks burn with embarrassment. She lets out a small chuckle and smiles, setting her beer down the the wooden coffee table.

"You said the same thing on your first date with Andrew, you know that?"

I look into my Mom's eyes and my heart skips a beat, the memory slowly appearing in my mind. I'm waiting in the exact same spot that I waited for Andrew, feeling the exact same nerves. Nothing has changed, except for the years.

"Well, despite all of that. You came home that night with the biggest smile on your face. Remember?"

My lips pull into a weak smile as my eyes start to sting. How could I ever forget that? I couldn't even sleep that night.

" I know that this is hard for you, Sara. Dating. But, not everyone is like Andrew. Not everyone is out to hurt you, Honey. I promise you that."

Not everyone is out to hurt you, Honey. I promise you that.

"Let it go, Sara. Let him go."

A small tear slips from the corner of my eye and I lean into her, her arms instantly wrapping around me. She's right. It's time to let him go. But, how am I supposed to do that when I have a part of him still with me? Max has his eyes. His nose. His smile. In all honesty, I'm scared for Max to grow up. I'm afraid that he'll grow up to be just like his Dad.

Suddenly, I feel my phone vibrate on my leg. I slowly pull away from my Mom and look down at my lit screen; Tegan's name, next to a small envelope. A tiny chill skims the surface of my skin as I pick my phone up and type in my password.

Tegan:

Hey, I'm outside. Hopefully I got the right house. If not, this is rather embarrassing.

I press the lock button on my phone and stand up from the couch, walking over to the big window that overlooks the street. I pull back the sheer curtain and my eyes land on a familiar black Honda Accord, parked right in front of my house. That was her car.

"She's here."

"Come back with a big smile on your face, okay?"

I turn towards my Mom and she smiles, reaching for her beer bottle. My lips pull into a soft smile and I nod, walking to the front door. I grab the door knob and start to twist it, when my hand suddenly stops. I turn around and look my Mom in her eyes, noticing a small tear rolling down her cheek as she watches me.

"Can you tell Max that I love him? Please?"

She lifts her hand up and wipes the tear away with her thumb, nodding her head. My lips curl into a weak smile and I turn back towards the door, opening it. A gentle breeze brushes past my bare skin and I step out on to the porch, my eyes trailing to the car parked only a couple of feet away. Not everyone is out to hurt you, Honey. I promise you that. I slowly close the door behind me and walk down the two steps, my eyes glued to her car as my feet walk over the rough concrete.

As I get closer, I notice that the passenger window is down and there's a soft beat floating around. Suddenly, my nerves start to calm. The beat starts to speed up and the nerves in my stomach start to flutter; as if every single bundle was replaced with a small butterfly. I keep forgetting how good these things feel.

I stop right in front of the passenger door and grab the handle, opening it up and climbing inside. As soon as I close the door, I turn my head to the side and a chill runs down my spine; her specks of hazel staring straight at me.

"Hey, Sara."

My cheeks start to burn under her gaze and I take my bottom lip between my teeth, gently chewing on it.

"Hi, Tegan."

She lets out a soft chuckle and looks down at her phone on her lap, tapping on the screen. Suddenly, the song changes. She turns back to me and our eyes connect as she lifts her hand, placing it on my left knee. My heart skips a beat as her bare skin presses against mine, the shape of her fingers making an indent on my delicate skin.

"You ready to go?"

My nerves start to rise and I nod my head, not trusting my mouth at the moment. Her lips pull into a soft smile and she gives my knee a small squeeze before placing both of her hands on the steering wheel; the car starting to move. I trail my eyes down to the spot where her hand was and place my hand right over it, feeling the butterflies in my stomach flutter. I leave my hand in her spot and turn to look out the window, my bottom lip between my teeth. I could get used to this feeling.

Tegan POV:

I press the small side button on my phone and the music turns down, only the beat playing along with the wind outside. I turn my head to the side and look at Sara, noticing the smile on her lips as she looks out the window. My lips curl and I turn my attention back to the road, dropping one hand on my lap.

"Tell me another joke."

I say, putting on my left blinker and switching lanes. Through the corner of my eye, I see Sara turn her head and look at me; her cheeks burning a bright pink.

"Another joke?"

I turn to her for a quick second and smile, nodding my head. She lets out a soft chuckle and takes in a small breath, turning back to look out of her window.

"Okay. How do you organize a Space Party?"

My face scrunches up and I tilt my head to the side, slightly confused. How do you organize a Space Party? My teeth grab at the base of my piercing and I pull it back, slowly shaking my head.

"Uh, I have no clue. How?"

"You Planet."

My lips curl into a wide smile and I turn to her, hearing a giggle escape her lips. She doesn't turn to me, but I can still see her bottom lip tucked between her teeth as her cheeks rise. I let out a soft chuckle and turn back to the road, noticing a small sign to the right. Lake Sikome to the Left.I slowly press down on the brake and turn my blinker on, turning into the dirt driveway. Dust starts to rise and I switch my high beams on, slowly following the dirt path.

"Have you been to a bonfire before?"

I ask, slowing down a bit to avoid a dip.

"Um, no. Not really."

I pull into the dirt parking lot and notice the row of cars parked along the edge of the lake, an orange light glowing behind them. I spot Brandon's car parked in the middle and I slowly pull up behind it, putting the car in park. I twist the keys out of the ignition and turn my head to Sara, finding her nervous eyes already on me. God, she's so cute.

"They're pretty fun. Don't be nervous, Okay?"

She takes in a small breath and slowly nods her head, making me smile with excitement. Her first bonfire, is with me.

"C'mon, let's go."

I turn and open my car door, climbing out. A soft breeze sinks into my pores and I close my door, hearing the passenger door close right after. I turn my attention to the girl walking to the front of my car and a lump forms in my throat, my eyes trailing down her body. She's wearing a white muscle shirt that clings to her skin, covered by an olive green cardigan. A pair of light denim shorts that outline her hips perfectly, with a pair of olive-green low top converse. She looks amazing.

I swallow down the lump in my throat and slowly make my way to her, her eyes trailing up and down my body as I get closer. Is she checking me out? I stop a few inches away from her and trail my eyes down to her hand, watching as her fingers twirl of piece of shirt around. I slowly lift my hand, ready to lace our fingers together, when a thought forms in my mind. Would she mind me holding her hand? I let out a small sigh and gently tap on her arm, her eyes instantly connecting with mine.

"It's just around the cars. Stay close to me?"

I ask, feeling my nerves bundle in the pit of my stomach. I didn't know if she wanted me to hold her hand in front of all those people, but I at least wanted them to know that she came with me. That the girl with the long brown hair, ivory skin and soft smile, came here with me.

"I will."

A gentle smile forms on her lips and I turn around, feeling my cheeks burn. Suddenly, I feel a small hand grab at the small of my back; my maroon sweater balling up in her fist. My lips curl into a small smile and I slowly lead the way, her hand staying in place as we round the cars; people coming into view.

Some of the people are sitting on the large rocks that circle the large pit, and others are standing by the edge of the lake. As I get closer, faces start to look familiar. Brandon's sitting by the pit, in between Ben and Alex; laughing with a beer in his hand. I stop a couple of feet away and reach my hand back, my fingers wrapping around her small wrist. A small chill runs down my spine and I gently pull her closer, feeling her other hand rest right above my hip. I take the base of my piercing between my teeth and slowly lead us to a vacant rock around the pit; noticing how my heart flutters whenever she tightens her grip on me. We stop in front of a rock and I turn my head to the side, catching a glimpse of her face as she looks around.

"Do you wanna sit down?"

I ask, keeping my voice low; for her ears only. I feel her fingers squeeze the denim over my hip, then they're gone. She moves around me and sits down on the big rock, tucking her hands between her thighs as a cool breeze passes. I take a small step to the side and sit down, my knee brushing against hers.

"Tegan! When did you get here?"

I turn my head and look up at Brandon, noticing the guitar tucked under his arm as a beer busies his mouth.

"We just got here, man. Are you gonna play?"

I ask, already knowing his answer. He nods his head and sets his beer down on the dirt floor, grabbing the small pick on his lap. He starts to strum a couple of cords and I turn my head to the side, looking at Sara. She's look around the small group of people, a soft smile on her face as she watches a couple of them laugh.

"So, how do you like it so far?"

I ask, taking my piercing between my teeth once again. She turns to me and I feel my heart flutter inside my chest, the glow of the fire making her eyes burn a pretty gold.

"It's nice. It feels good to be out, hearing other people laugh."

My lips pull into a soft smile and I hear a familiar tune start to echo through the open air. I turn to the people that surround us and notice that all of their eyes are on Brandon, watching him strum with skill.

"What about live music? Do you like hearing that?"

I turn to Sara and she turns to Brandon, her eyes focusing on the strings of the guitar. She blinks and I take a moment to stare. The way the glow of the fire lights up her pale skin, makes my fingers twitch with wonder. I wonder how her skin feels?

"Why are you staring at me?"

Her voice is gentle, but her eyes stay on the strings in Brandon's lap.

"Because, I want to."

She trails her eyes to mine and stares into them, her lips forming a shy smile after a couple of seconds. God, she's so beautiful. I take my bottom lip between my teeth and push the nerves away that are starting to bundle up in the pit of my stomach, sitting up straight. I lift my arm up and slowly wrap it around her shoulders, my fingers already tracing unknown figures into the green material as soon as they meet. She turns to me and our eyes connect, my mind starting to race with guilt. Does she mind me doing this? Does she mind me being this close to her?

"Why do you look so afraid to touch me, Tegan?"

Her eyes grow wide with genuine concern and I take in a small breath, looking down at my lap.

"Because, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. Like, do you mind me doing this?"

She ducks her head down and my eyes meet hers, following them as she sits up straight.

"Tegan, I'll tell you when I'm uncomfortable. Okay?"

I let out a small sigh and nod, hearing a soft chuckle escape her lips.

"Until then, don't be afraid to touch me."

Under blue moon, I saw you

So soon you'll take me

Up in yours arms

Too late to beg you or cancel it

Though I know it must be the killing time

Unwillingly mine

Brandon's voice rings through the air and I smile, feeling my cheeks burn. Until then, don't be afraid to touch me. I turn my head to Brandon and feel Sara nuzzle her head into my shoulder, her hair softly tickling the skin on my neck. This is nice. I lean down and rest my chin on top of her head, the sweet smell of her mint shampoo filling my nostrils as I listen to Brandon's voice. It's been a while since I've felt this way. Happy. I wonder how long it will last.