Elliott's POV

"I'm sorry, I have to go," I whispered quietly in Luna's ear as I rose from the bed, slipping her off of my chest.

"It's okay," she mumbled back, her voice embedded with sleep. My heart raced as I moved and I kissed her forehead softly, feeling like she wouldn't mind that. I moved into the middle of the room and stretched.

A loud series of crunches and cracks filled the room and Luna's eyes shot open, her gaze meeting mine. She burst into a fit of giggles.

She was so alive.

"Bye bye," she told me as she rolled over and cuddled further into her pillows. I smiled at her although she couldn't see me, but thoughts that it should've still been me that she was snuggling up to didn't fail to enter my mind.

"Bye bye," I replied. My voice was pathetic; it was clouded by nervousness and I was secretly wishing I could stay.

I opened her door quietly, as if I had to hide my appearance there. It hurt to think about but I knew I didn't have to worry about her parents being there.

I headed back to my house after getting my bag and slinging it over my shoulder. I'd made my way to hers after school, so I fished my headphones out of the depths of my backpack and plugged them in. I had escaped.

The anxiety that had collected in the pit of my stomach was freed and I could breathe just a little bit easier. I suspired quickly, catching my breath. I noted that the streets were pretty much empty and I felt relief overcome me.

I smiled to myself as I thought about Luna. In a matter of numbered days, she'd become extremely important to me and perhaps the person I was closest to. I had friends, sure, but they all became distant after the accident with my parents.

I hated pity.

Luna didn't give me it because she knew exactly what I was going through and how much it hurt to be told, "I'm sorry for your loss," which was just a cruel reminder that both of my parents were dead.

I slid my phone out of my pocket as I neared my house. Cheesily, I grinned as I clicked on Luna's number to send her a text.

Wish me luck.

She replied quicker than I thought and I almost fell from the side of the pavement as my phone buzzed, the vibration shocking me.

Good luck.

My keyrings clanked against the wood of the door as I shoved my house key into it. I grimaced, knowing that my sister was probably home.

"Elliott!" I heard her squeal as soon as I stepped one foot in the door. Tempted to walk out, I sighed, but I resisted it. She was my sister, no matter how much I liked or disliked her.

"Yes?" I responded with a slight growl as I slammed the front door shut forcibly.

"I brought someone for you to meet!" Ella cried out in a sickly sweet voice. She appeared at the end of the hallway with a girl in tow - a beautiful girl, no doubt, but my mind didn't stop telling me that she was incomparable to Luna.

"Really?" I questioned, genuinely curious. "Why?"

"She's a good friend of mine," Ella giggled as she gave me an innocent look.

I gazed at the smaller girl quizzically. She looked up at me with eyes I suddenly labelled as pretentious. I wasn't one to be judgemental, but damn. She reminded me of Ella way too much.

"Hello," she greeted me with an overly false smile much like my sister's. "I'm Evie."

Jeez, I thought. Even the names are similar.

"I'm Elliott, but you already knew that," I replied somewhat hesitantly. I was suspicious of the girl - Evie. I glanced at her again and she invited me to partake in somewhat of a staring competition as her gaze landed on me, unmoving. It didn't unsettle or waver me. I just stared back, hoping that she'd get the hint. When she didn't take her eyes off of me, I added, "I'm leaving again soon."

I knew that I'd probably be a nuisance if I landed in Luna's company again. My heart stopped, then dropped as I thought of her. The ache was real. Why, when I had been with her merely moments ago, did it hurt that I wasn't with her?

No, I told myself. You can't develop feelings for her. You just need someone.

Pushing the thoughts of her aside, I decided to message who I considered was my closest friend, Logan. 

Hey, I know we haven't spoken for a while and things have been tough, but I need a place to stay. My sister's acting her usual self and has brought home some weirdo girl who keeps staring at me. Would you mind?

I laid back onto my bed as I got into my room. Remembering what I had to do, I chucked my backpack aside and pulled a larger one out of my closet. I packed what I'd need for a couple nights. Logan had given me the go ahead so I left.

My phone buzzed and I jumped. Looking embarrassed as I checked that there was no people around, I sighed with relief.

How'd it go?

I smiled as I saw Luna's name.

Well, she brought some weird friend of hers home. She keeps staring at me, so I'm going to stay with my friend Logan for a little bit.

Oh, okay.

I frowned at the message. She sounded disappointed - but why?