Moonlight Bloodline

Today will be good. I’m better. I’m happy. My parents’ death won’t define me this new school year. I will smile. I will be myself. I will be with my friends.” Lila whispered the words to her reflection as she stared into the mirror, trying to believe every syllable. She had just lost her parents, but today wasn’t about grief. Today was about starting over. She grabbed her bag, then headed downstairs to join her aunt and brother for breakfast. She wore her favorite jeans and a black long-sleeve top, her brown hair brushed down to hide the tired circles under her eyes. After breakfast, she decided to head over to her best friend’s house — Claire always gave her a ride to school. “Hey, my love!” Claire beamed, wrapping Lila in a tight hug before pulling her toward the car. “How are you feeling?” Claire asked, squeezing her hand. “I feel okay, you know? I have to be.” Lila tried to smile. Claire didn’t miss a beat. “So, let me catch you up — over the holiday I was at my mom’s, and she told me I’m psychic. I mean, that’s crazy, right? How’s that even possible? She kept going on and on about how our ancestors are from some place called Thornveil.” Claire rolled her eyes dramatically. “I started thinking about it. I mean, I have manifested a couple of things, right? Like when I wished that hot guy would fall for me — boom. Or when I hoped our math teacher would get sick so we’d skip class — and he did. It’s wild!” “Lila! Are you even listening to me?” Claire snapped her fingers in front of Lila’s face. Lila blinked, eyes still fixed on the road. Her mind was far away — stuck on gravestones and memories. “Claire, I’m sorry. That happened again.” “You’re impossible.” Claire pouted. “So? Psychic? Thoughts?” Lila laughed weakly. “Well, having a psychic best friend wouldn’t hurt. Unless you’re just delusional.” “Wow, you really don’t believe me?” Claire shot back. “Not exactly. You know I don’t buy into all that stuff.” They both laughed, the car filling with that old comfort again. For a moment, it felt like everything might be normal. When they pulled into the school parking lot, they were still giggling about how this year — junior year — would be different. Inside, the hallway buzzed with first-day chatter. Lila felt eyes on her — then saw Pierce staring at her from his locker. He slammed it shut and turned away without a word. “Oh, he hates me now,” Lila muttered. Claire nudged her shoulder. “That’s not hate. That’s ‘you broke my heart but I get it because you’re dealing with stuff, so I’ll pretend to be cool.’” “LILA!!!” Serena squealed, running up and throwing her arms around her. “How are you? Are you okay?” Serena asked, eyes wide with worry. “I’m fine,” Lila said softly. “Really?” Serena asked again, not convinced. “Yeah,” Lila insisted. “Alright then — I’ll see you later!” Serena chirped, giving her one last squeeze before bouncing down the hallway. Lila watched her go. She, Claire, and Serena — the unstoppable trio. Or they used to be. Down the corridor, Lila spotted her brother Jimmy slipping into the bathroom. Her heart sank. She knew what he was doing — she knew that look in his eyes. Not here. Not at school. She followed him inside. “Stop. Are you doing drugs again?” Jimmy glared. “I’m not doing drugs right now.” “You think I’m stupid?” Lila hissed. “I only left you alone over the summer because… because it just happened. But you promised—” “You know what? Keep at it then!” she snapped, voice rising. Storming out of the bathroom, she collided hard with someone. Her bag slipped off her shoulder. “I’m so sorry — I wasn’t looking,” she stammered. The guy steadied her with a hand on her arm — cold but gentle. He looked at her with eyes too dark to be normal. “No problem. Just… watch where you’re going next time.” His lips twitched, almost a smile. Lila’s heart skipped. Grayson Hawthorne — the new guy. The one she’d dreamt about before she ever saw him. After that, it was time for first period. Turns out the new guy — Grayson — Lila, Claire, and Pierce all shared the same History class. They kept stealing glances at each other: Lila staring at Grayson, Pierce noticing and frowning, Claire doing what she did best — teasing Lila by texting her under the desk. It made Lila smile for the first time that morning. There wasn’t much excitement in class that day. When the bell rang, Lila slipped away and walked to the old graveyard where her parents were buried. She’d come here a few times since the accident, but today was different — her first day of school without them. She sat by their headstones and talked to them the way she always had, telling them about her day, about the new boy. She’d never hidden anything from them — not even now. When she finally stood to leave, she nearly collided with Grayson again among the mossy gravestones. “Are you following me?” Lila asked, crossing her arms. “No,” Grayson said calmly. “So we’re both here — at a graveyard — by coincidence?” she shot back. “I’m just visiting family,” he replied, his eyes steady. “Oh — I’m sorry.” She softened. “I’m Lila.” “Grayson,” he said with a small nod. “Nice necklace,” she added, noticing the strange pendant at his collarbone. “Family heirloom,” he said. “Always a part of me.” “It’s… unique.” She smiled awkwardly. “Thank you,” he said, and for a second they both just stood there, looking at each other — like they’d known each other forever. Later that evening, at Oak Grills, Tree Oaks Hills’ favorite hangout — where half the students worked part-time and the other half came to hide from their parents — Jimmy sat at the bar, waiting for Roxy. Roxy was the girl your mom warned you about — the girl who skipped class, smoked behind the gym, and could ruin your life with a single look. She was also the bartender at Oak Grills, which made her impossible for Jimmy to avoid. “Hey, Roxy,” Jimmy said, trying to sound casual. She rolled her eyes. “Why are you following me around?” “Why are you pretending I’m invisible when you know I’m really into you?” he shot back. “Back off, Jimmy. Don’t make me tell everyone I deflowered Lila’s little brother. We met a few times last summer — for the drugs — but it’s over.” “This is because of Tristan, right?” Jimmy spat. “He only wants you for your body!” “Oh, yeah? And what do you want me for?” Roxy fired back. She brushed past him, bumping his shoulder on purpose. Across the grill, Serena leaned close to Claire, talking fast, eyes wide. “I found out so much about Grayson already. He lives with his uncle at the old Ashford Estate. He was here when he was little, but he just moved back.” Claire blinked. “Wow. You got all that in one day?” Serena flipped her hair. “Give me some credit — I got it in one period.” Then she flounced away. Classic Serena. Meanwhile, at the Lockhart house, Lila was slipping on her jacket. “I’m going to meet Serena and Claire at the Grill,” she called. Aunt Camille poked her head out of the kitchen. “Okay — no boys, no touching, and don’t stay out late. Good rules, right?” Lila giggled. “Good rules. Thanks, Aunt Camille.” Aunt Camille had been their guardian since the accident — trying her best to keep it all together. Lila knew it wasn’t easy. When Lila opened the front door, she gasped. Grayson stood on the porch, hand raised to knock. “Sorry — I was just about to knock,” Grayson said, his voice soft. “It’s fine. How did you know where I live?” Lila asked, eyebrows raised. He shrugged. “It’s Tree Oaks Hills. Everyone knows everyone. I asked around.” She laughed a little and stepped aside. “Come in — you don’t have to stand out there.” Grayson hesitated, but when she insisted, he stepped inside, glancing around like he was seeing an old memory. Back at the Grill, Pierce leaned against the counter, talking to Claire. “How’s Lila doing?” he asked, voice low. Claire frowned. “She lost her parents, Pierce. How do you think she’s doing? She’s trying to hide it, but she hasn’t really talked about it in months.” “Has she… mentioned me?” he asked, not quite meeting her eyes. Claire sighed. “No. She hasn’t. You could call her, you know.” “I don’t want to. It’ll just be weird,” Pierce muttered. “Give it time,” Claire said gently. Just then, the door swung open — Lila and Grayson stepped inside together. Pierce stiffened. “More time, huh?” he mumbled. He pushed himself off the counter, walked over, and stuck out his hand to Grayson. “Pierce.” “Grayson,” he said, shaking it firmly. A few minutes later, Serena, Claire, Lila, and Grayson sat around a table, sharing fries and secrets under the neon lights. Grayson spoke about his parents — how they’d died years ago, how he didn’t speak to his siblings. Serena leaned in, mischief in her eyes. “So, if you’re new, you don’t know about the party tomorrow? Everyone goes — it’s like a get-together thing.” Grayson turned to Lila. “Are you coming?” Before Lila could answer, Claire piped up. “Of course she is!” Lila’s cheeks flushed pink as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Grayson smiled at her — that same soft, unsettling smile. The next evening, after school, they all made their way to the party. When Grayson arrived, he looked around for Lila — but Serena found him first, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the drinks. Meanwhile, Claire pressed her fingers to her temple, pretending to focus. “So, where is he?” Claire asked. “Uh — you tell me, Ms. Psychic,” Lila teased. “Okay, but let me focus.” Claire closed her eyes, but when she touched Lila’s shoulder, her breath caught. She opened her eyes wide. “What?” Lila asked, uneasy. “When I touched you — I saw a man. In the dark,” Claire whispered. “Are you okay?” Lila asked, worried. “Never mind — maybe I drank too much,” Claire muttered. She stumbled away, leaving Lila standing alone. Grayson appeared behind her, making her jump. “Sorry — did I startle you again?” he asked, his voice warm. “It’s okay — it’s just Claire… never mind. I’m glad you’re here,” she said. “Yeah. I’m here — that’s what matters,” he replied, and they slipped away together into the crowd. They found a quiet corner under the fairy lights. Lila told him about the night her parents’ car went off the bridge, how she survived in the back seat. Grayson looked at her with something dark in his eyes. “You don’t have to carry all that forever,” he said. “There’s still so much life left for you.” As she smiled at him, his eyes flickered — veins rising under his skin, just for a second. “Are you okay? Your eyes—” she asked, leaning closer. “What? I’m fine,” Grayson said quickly, turning away so she couldn’t see the truth. Deep in the woods, Roxy and Tristan were hooking up — his hands roaming where she didn’t want them. “Hey — Tristan, stop!” Roxy snapped, pushing him away. “What, you don’t like it?” Tristan sneered, leaning in again. “Leave her alone!” Jimmy’s voice cut through the trees. He stepped into the clearing, fists clenched. Tristan rolled his eyes. “Wow — Roxy says no. That’s a first.” He smirked and stalked off. Roxy spun on Jimmy, eyes blazing. “I don’t need your help! Stay away from me!” She shoved past him into the shadows. As she stomped deeper into the woods, she heard a branch snap. “Jimmy?” she called, voice trembling. “Jimmy?” Silence. Something moved — fast. Before she could scream again, a hand grabbed her from behind and dragged her into the dark.