My hair wet and stringy, my body smelling of honeysuckle and various berries, I came back to the kitchen. Gemma had moved to the living room, lying on the love seat and reading a fashion magazine and Mom had her earbuds in cleaning up the dishes. I shook my head.

Man I hate this.

With a sigh, I sat myself down at the dining room table. My arms were crossed over the wood with my head coming to rest on it.

A knock on the door drew my attention away from my mom. "I got it," Gemma called. She got up from her seat on the couch. I couldn't see who it was at the door but by the slight laughter, I knew it was someone important in our lives.

"Gem, who is it?" Mom called.

Huh, she must have taken her earbuds out without me noticing.

Mom set down the scrub brush, walking towards the door where Gemma and the stranger were.

I looked over to see the commotion. I got up and slowly walked over to the front door, hiding my body behind a wall.

"Oh, Leni, it's so good to see you," I heard Aunt Beth's voice, using my mom's name. Her skin dark in contrast to my mom's. Beth was wearing a simple gray pant suit with a dark purple undershirt. Her messenger bag was hanging from her shoulder.

I saw Beth hugging my mom tightly, with Gemma hanging off to the side.

Beth was my dad's younger sister. They were close growing up with Dad taking care of the two of them because their parents died with Dad was a little over eighteen years old, allowing him to be the one to take care of Beth. She was my favorite aunt, even though she was my only aunt, with Mom having a younger brother. The last time I saw her, she was at the funeral, saying goodbye to the last bit of her family that she had left. The last bit that she had of her parents.

To honor Dad and Beth, we had him buried in the same cemetery as Gramma Jane and Grampa Archie, their parents. We thought it was the best for all of us, especially since Mom had no idea where to put him. We only knew that he wanted to be buried.

Beth and Mom let go of each other. "Beth," Mom started. "It feels like we haven't seen you in years."

"What brings you here?" Gemma asked.

Beth took a deep breath. "Well, I was in the neighborhood because the university decided I needed to take some time off after my brother's untimely passing," she admitted. My aunt swiped a piece of hair out of her eyes. "Duluth is only a few hours away and I decided to visit my favorite sister-in-law and my two favorite nieces."

"And you needed to see how the rest of us were doing," Gemma added, crossing her arms over her chest.

The check up. I was wondering when we would be getting one of those. Labor Day was definitely not one of those days I was expecting.

I must have blacked out or something because Aunt Beth said, "There she is. There's my favorite oldest niece." Beth strode over to me from the doorway to the wall where I resided next to, smiling real big, engulfing me in a hug. "And a few weeks after your birthday. I'm happy I got this chance."

A range of emotions flowed out of her. Happiness, sadness, anger, and love. Love for all of us. A headache started behind my eyes, triggering my Empathy. She let go of me. "How was your birthday?" she asked. She was completely ignorant of the storm she formed in my body.

Disoriented, I shook my head, trying to get rid of the pain in my brain. I rubbed hands down my arms in comfort. "It was uneventful, Aunt Beth," I told the woman. "Seventeen isn't that big of a milestone."

My aunt gawked at me, her surprise showing more in her face than actually in her feelings. "What? Okay yes, seventeen isn't the most celebrated birthday in our culture. Not like your sixteenth or your twenty-first, but it is one that shows you maturing into a beautiful, young woman."

"Yeah, well, with this experience, I sure feel mature," I replied, feeling almost nothing as I spoke the words. I tried very hard to put some sarcasm in my voice.

I didn't feel mature. I felt lost. I felt numb. I felt... different. Even with losing myself every time I came into contact with another living being, I still felt a reminisce of whatever they were feeling. Like a limb that's missing but you can still feel it at times. That's how my emotions feel. Because they're leftovers of what others were feeling. They're not mine, but those emotions are apart of me whether I like or not.

I looked down towards the floor, the wood layering the kitchen, creating a pattern that numbed my mind to the point of not overthinking anything.

"Oh!" Beth exclaimed suddenly. I glanced up to see her reach into her pant suit pocket. A box wrapped in simple white paper and a navy blue ribbon tied around it. The older woman held it out to me. "This is for you. Happy belated birthday, Marvel Rae."

Slowly, I took the box from her. I tried to avoid touching her anymore, just in case her emotions decided to kill me where I stood. Untying the ribbon with a shaky hand, I opened the gift.

Inside was the most beautiful necklace I've ever seen. Sterling silver, like Dad's ring. Attached to the chain was an arrow, with my initials carved into it in fancy lettering that you couldn't quite tell was my name until you looked closely.

Using the hand not holding the box, my hand went to my neck. My panic calmed down when I felt the piece of jewelry in its place.

"I know it's not like Nathan's ring, but I thought you could use something new," my aunt said. "But the arrow represents direction, moving forward, and what better symbolism than moving forward in our time of grief."

I smiled softly, a warm feeling bubbling in my chest. "Thank you, Beth," I said. "This is a very lovely gift." Beth gave a similar smile, the whites of her teeth blinding me. My eyes glanced down to the arrow necklace in my hand, the chain gleaming beautifully.

"I thought you'd like it. After all, it's not everyday our beautiful Marvel turns seventeen," my aunt told the rest of my family. "I wanted to give it to her in person because mailing is so impersonal. And the kids these days don't even appreciate good communication."

Mom, Gemma, and I laughed at her comment.

Maybe this last day wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Marvel Rae Vayle! Come on! I can't stay out here forever! We have school to get to!" Peri yelled from the kitchen.

"Okay, okay! I'm out, I'm done," I yelled back from my room, one boot on my foot, the other in my hands.

The last day of summer was pretty uneventful, much like the majority of the summer. My aunt and mom talked for hours in the living room, sharing stories of their childhood and talking about Dad. Gemma was in her room the entire day and I was also in my room the entire day, except to come out and eat dinner like a family, but obviously missing that one person who held us together.

Beth and Mom left this morning to spend the day together, shopping. Because all of yesterday wasn't enough for the women. Gemma and I were on our own to get rides to school. Thankfully, Gemma found a ride from a friend and her mom while I got one from Peri and Luna.

Gemma left about ten minutes ago. And I was running late.

Now the fun begins with another year of school. And it's not even the fun year of school. Just boring, good old, junior year. An important year, but not the one I want to be in.

I could have been in senior year right now, but no. Mom thought it was a better idea for me to be a year behind. Summer birthdays sure are weird ones.

"Marvel, seriously, Luna has the car running. We're wasting gas and precious time," Peri said as soon as I walked passed her.

"Well, then. What are we waiting for?" I asked, boot still in hand. I opened the front door of my house and ran to Luna's 2013 Kia Soul. I got in the passenger seat, finally able to put my boot on my foot.

"Nice to see you again, Marvel," Luna said, her black hair stick straight and done in a side braid. I smiled at her, placing the seat belt over my stomach. I moved my own dark hair out of my eyes, the tresses tickling my skin as it went.

The right back door of the Kia opened and Peri went in, her hair a curtain of curly blonde. "Jesus, Vel, it's the first day. How are we already back into the routine of lateness?" she asked me, buckling up. Luna placed the car into drive, moving out of my driveway.

"Well," I began, slightly turning in my seat. "It's not like this is an important year."

"Yeah, I get that and I absolutely love waiting for you." A note of sarcasm in her tone. "You're the oldest one here and we're the ones with the license," Peri retorted, annoyance coating her voice, gesturing between her and the girl driving us. Luna muffled her laugh.

I gawked at them. "It's not my fault I don't have my license yet."

"It most definitely is," Luna remarked, turning her gaze to me.

"You're just afraid to drive," Peri added, a sweet smile on her tanned face. "And that fear is what holds you back from driving and getting your license."

I smirked slightly. It's good to have them around.

"Besides," Luna cut in, her eyes never leaving the road. "I like driving you guys around. It's nice to drive around Ambrose with my two best friends."

"Even if Ambrose doesn't have anything to really offer," I said.

"Just like Ambrose High School," Peri broke in.

Ambrose, a city in Minnesota. Population of five thousand plus people with hardly anything happening. A simple city that I've hated for as long as I can remember. With a high school I hate more than the city, Ambrose High School.

Ambrose High School was built in 1970 and focused completely on sports. And their academics. The faculty is obsessed with the sports here and yet, I couldn't care less about them. If they had archery or even trapshooting, I would so do that. Even though I did well in school, I was never recognized for my efforts, leaving me completely in the dust. I was fine with that fact.

"We're almost done!" Peri yelled, her arms spreading out and knocking into each of the doors in the back. Luna and I laughed.

Luna said, "We still have senior year, hon." She glanced at Peri through the rearview mirror. Peri frowned.

"Junior year is more about the ACT and senior year is more about fun classes that we didn't have the opportunity to take the previous three years," the blonde answered. She crossed her arms in front of her chest.

Peri Williams has been my best friend since second grade. She has always been a bit of a badass with her no-nonsense attitude about life. Her name may give the impression that she's very girly, but no, she just prefers "Peri" over "Petra" any day. She wasn't able to come to my dad's funeral because she was outside of the country all summer.

Luna Melrose, on the other hand, is a bit more girly than Peri and I combined. A hopeless romantic with a confusing sexuality, she knows just how to be the best friend she can be. She's been my best friend for the last ten years as well. Like me, Luna is of mixed race, however, instead of being of African-American descent, she's of Chinese descent on her mother's side while her Dad comes from New Zealand. She and her younger sister, Hadley, are very close, in the relationship and in age. I like to consider the Melrose family as a part of my own, just because they've been in my life for so long.

Although, even with them around, I still feel like I'm the last person on earth, unable to reach out to anyone, unable to know if there's someone out there to help me.

A sharp turn to the right broke me out of my thoughts.

"Jesus, Lu, warn a girl before you turn like that," Peri exclaimed, her entire body to one side of the car, despite being buckled in.

"Sorry," Luna said, not a hint of the word confirming her emotions. "I was trying to avoid a squirrel in the middle of the road."

"You think not eating any animals would be enough to stop them from dying," Peri commented, bringing herself back up to a sitting position.

Luna has been a vegetarian for the last five years because she believes that every life is precious. Well, not all. She couldn't care less if those damn hornets died. Those things only exist to ruin the lives of others.

Luna glanced over to me. "Are you okay, Marvel?" she asked me, her delicate eyebrows pinched. I didn't have to have physical contact to know what she was feeling. I nodded at her.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just lost in thought." A horrible idea, really. My thoughts were a dangerous place at times.
"Oooh," Peri cooed. "Is it about Aiden?"

"Aiden?" I questioned, looking over my shoulder at her.

I haven't thought about Aiden in weeks.

Aiden Thatcher-Ames. A boy slightly older than myself and crush since freshman year. We would talk in English class a bit because he's good friends with Peri. He's part of the popular crowd. Not just because he's good looking, but he's a great person. Part of the student council, choir, jazz band, basketball team, and football team, but also the book club and writing club at school.

Aiden's been in my thoughts for years, but as soon as my dad died, it was like Aiden never existed. Which I hate to admit, but that's just how it was. I didn't have time to lament over my unrequited crush on Aiden, not when I had my own things going on over the summer.

The car ride passed in silence. Finally, Luna got us girls to school safe and sound. She parked the Kia, Peri jumping out before either Luna and I could stop her. We processed that she had her backpack and was walking hurriedly to the front doors of the awful building we've been going to for the last two years.

"Well," Luna proclaimed. "We should probably get in there, too."

I grabbed hold of my backpack. "The sooner we get there, the sooner school will be over again," I said.

I felt a hand on my backpack next to my own. "Vel, are you doing okay?"

Licking my lips, I turned to face my best friend. "I'm honestly not all that sure anymore, Lu."

"I know the rest of the summer wasn't the best you've ever had, but I want to let you know that Peri and I are here for you. Whatever you need, just let us know. And if you can't think of anything, I'm certain we'll go to the most expensive bookstore and buy you whatever you want," the other girl said. "And cheesecake. I know how much you love cheesecake." A watery laugh left my lips before I could stop it.

"Thank you, Lu," I told her. Her sympathy flowed into me, the feeling warming me up inside. Like melted chocolate chips in chocolate chip cookies. "I'm fine though."

"I don't believe you." She had her head leaning against her hand, a determined expression taking over the pretty face, making the exotic features more gorgeous. Okay, maybe she's not the only one with an uncertain sexuality. "You see, I've known you for how long?"

"Ten years?" I guessed, my shoulders up to my ears.

A breath of air escaped her mouth. "Yes, Vel, ten years. And in those ten years, I've discovered your tells. You bite the inside of your cheek whenever you feel insecure. You comb your fingers through your hair when you're frustrated and you always say "I'm fine" when you're really not, when you're feeling the exact opposite of fine but you don't want people to worry about you," she said.

"You know me pretty well," I commented, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. At least, I think that's how I feel. With this Empathy thing, I can't tell what are my own feelings or if they belong to someone else in the area.

Luna scoffs, saying, "Of course I know you well. That's what happens in ten years of knowing each other." A genuine smile lights up her face as she speaks. I smile back at her.

"Should we get out of this car and get in the building?" I asked, shrugging my shoulders. "I mean, it's pretty close to first period starting."

"Yeah," my friend agreed. "We should. We wouldn't want Peri to be all alone for the first day."

"God forbid Peri is by herself for more than a minute," I joked lightly.

"And Aiden should already be in there as well," Luna purred.

"Shut up!" I yelped, feeling heat creep up my cheeks. I wasn't sure if my face was red, but I could definitely feel the heat. I opened the car door, getting out.

"I think it's sweet how much you look forward to seeing him," Luna laughed, also getting out of the car. She shrugged her on her book bag. Gripping her keys, she locked the car. A loud beep following.

She and I giggled as we made our way to the front door of Ambrose High School.

The crowd in school was unlike Dad's funeral in every way. The halls were covered with people, not a single square inch of floor left untouched by the teenagers in the main hall. I knew these people, these students. I used to go to elementary and middle school with a decent amount of them.

I huddled close to Luna, not quite touching her to get an intense emotion transfer from her, but close enough so that I wouldn't touch the other people near me.

I leaned toward her ear, whispering, "How many people do you think knows?"

"I'm not sure," she whispered back. "But word gets around pretty fast here."

The school had gossip, no matter who the person was. Let me tell you some things about myself; I wasn't popular at Ambrose High, not even at all. Sure, I had friends and was friendly, or at the very least mutual with a person, with just about everyone in the school, but that didn't make me popular. To this day, I'm sure that most of these kids were even popular. They had money, but they weren't good people in the least. I was "cute" by the definition of the word, but I wasn't beautiful or sexy. I wore way too much black and baggy clothing two or three times my size to be considered sexy.

"Hey, Marvel," someone behind me said. I turned away from the crowd of people in front of me to see who said my name. The voice was far too masculine to be Peri's and far too warm to be anyone who heard of me.

Brown-green eyes bored into me sweetly.

Aiden Thatcher-Ames.

A huge smile lighting up his face when he saw me.

"Aiden," I whispered. The smile stretched wider on his lips.

"You look great," he said, his eyes taking in my appearance.

I frowned at his words, ever so slightly.

No I didn't. I was wearing my most baggy pullover black sweatshirt with a faded band logo and crappy jeans that I found in the clean laundry. I wore simple faded black combat boots and gray socks. My hair somehow decided to cooperate today by being in a messy bun atop my head. Strands of dark brown, curly hair fell into my eyes, obstructing my view of Aiden quite a bit.

"Thank you," Luna said to him in place of me. "She does look great, doesn't she? Marvel hardly even tries to look gorgeous." I sputtered in total horror. Why, oh why, did Luna have to embarrass me in front of him? I didn't do that to her or Peri.

"Anyway," Aiden said, looking down at his Nike covered feet, his smile dropping a little. "I'm so sorry to hear about your dad."

Boy, news sure travels fast around here.

Is nothing sacred or private anymore?

Was this just how my generation works?

"Thank you for your condolences," I replied quietly, robotically, unable to comprehend that Aiden now knew about my tragic summer. He gave me a sweet, sad smile. Feeling a soft tickle on my face and a hand that pulled away