"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

It's still as painful as last year and the year before that. Here we are, two years after the incident in early September, and guess what? I still feel like shit.

I was sitting on the cold hood of a camaro, in practically pitch black if it weren't for the fireflies illuminating the grass. Or the pale light of the moon shining down onto the small lake's ripples.

Not much has changed, maybe I'll feel this way forever.

The thicket of oak trees huddled in the corner of the park rustled as I pulled my hoodie closer to my body. I guess the cool air helps, I breathe better when it's cooler. Weather changes pretty quickly here in Snowbush New York, which is a good thing. We all could use a change in weather after a scorching summer.

The park was completely empty aside from my friends and I. And maybe the few squirrels running around like they just drank six cups of coffee. I pulled my dangling feet away from the ground as one ran by us.

I'm tired of feeling like I'm trapped in my mind, reliving the same horrible memory over and over again. Maybe I just need to-

"God, I'm so not ready for the cold," Serena whined.

"Are you kidding? Summer was getting boring and way too sweaty, even for me. Besides, who doesn't love sweater weather?" Kendall asked.

"I'm more of a fan of bikini weather," Serena giggled as she sucked on her cherry lollipop.

Serena Vazquez is the absolute complete opposite of me. No exaggeration, I have no idea why we get along so well. She's one of those girls that enjoys partying and socializing and prefers to stand out from everybody else. Serena does what she wants, when she wants, and with who she wants. That's just the way she is and she's very unapologetic about it.

Not to mention the Cuban bombshell is drop dead gorgeous, all to match that loud personality. She dyed her brown hair a year back and turned it into a fiery, flaming red. It was quite the contrast to her sickeningly blue eyes that put oceans to shame.

"Let's stop having a pointless conversation about the weather and talk about something actually important for once," Hazel cut in. "Colleges are going to start to pay attention now that we're juniors. So it's time to start studying and stop worrying about how you look in a bikini."

"Oh bite me Hazel," Serena sneered.

Hazel Martin, her parents named her at the last second when they first saw her eye color. True story and I'm glad. They were going to name her Louise and that just doesn't suit her at all. We like to call her Snow White most of the time because of her extreme creamy pale skin. It's entertaining to see the displeasure on her hexagon shaped face when she hears the name.

The girl is beyond brilliant, undoubtedly will be the world's next Einstein. Brilliance actually runs in her family, she has strict French lawyer parents and an older sister who attends Princeton. Though high standards and high expectations can really do something to a teenager.

That mindset has been drilled into Hazel's head, to the point where she likes almost every little detail in her life to be efficient. Her chestnut hair for example, was once long and wavy, but has now been cut up to her shoulders. All to better manage how much time it takes to wash and style her hair. I think it looks great, Serena thinks otherwise.

"Bite on some homework for a change," Hazel argued.

Serena grunted, lollipop tucked in the side of her cheek as she flipped her off. Hazel rolled her eyes and went back to the book she was reading.

"Guys, shut up," Kendall groaned. "School hasn't even started yet and you're already pointlessly arguing."

"She started it," both murmured.

"But Hazel, did you really need to be such a buzzkill and bring up school?" Kendall asked.

"Hey!" Hazel glared.

"Just saying," Kendall put her hands up while chuckling.

The girl with the pretty laugh is my best friend, Kendall Cortez. The other two girls I've mentioned are my best friends too, but my relationship with Kendall was different.

We've known each other since kindergarten, where as I met Serena in fifth grade, then Hazel in sixth. Due to the large amount of time I've spent with Kendall, it made us closer to each other than with anybody else.

Kendall's almost as thin as a pencil, but you wouldn't be able to break in her half so easily. She has some serious muscles for a volleyball player, so I wouldn't exactly recommend pissing her off.

My friend's one hell of a competitive son of a bitch when it comes to, well, everything. During volleyball, school, eating, speaking faster Spanish than Serena, even bathing sometimes. Tell her to run a mile and she'll run two just to show you up.

"Luna, why so quiet?" Serena asked.

"She's daydreaming again," Hazel told. "You should kind of know this by now."

Serena narrowed her ocean eyes at Hazel, who couldn't be bothered to look up from the novel in her lap.

"I do, but she's spacier than usual. So bitch, that means something's up. Shouldn't you know that by now?"

Hazel lightly kicked her leg, and Serena stuck out her bright red tongue.

"What's up Luna?" Kendall asked.

And then there's me, Luanna Martinez. But people have been calling me Luna for as long as I can remember, I think it's because I space out a lot especially when looking at the night sky. If I'm honest, I prefer Luna over Luanna and I'm considering permanently changing it when I turn eighteen.

There's no point in trying to compare myself to my extraordinary best friends. I guess the only thing that stands out for me is my ridiculously short height and unusually large moss colored eyes. Even I can make green eyes look bland.

I'm Brazilian, so it comes as a shock when people find out I'm more on the shy and quiet side of the spectrum.

God do I hate stereotypes.

And this stereotype free person is currently not in the mood for conversation.

"I'm pretending school doesn't exist right now," I said as my eyes were glued to the sky.

Hazel's phone dinged and she quickly whipped it out of her pocket. Her eyebrows drooped and her eyes became filled to the brink with sorrow.

"What happened?" Kendall asked.

"Aaron West is missing," she stated slowly.

All of our eyes widened in surprise.

"Peyton's boyfriend?" Serena asked.

Hazel nodded, closing her eyes as she drank in the horrible news.

Peyton was this girl at school who was a part of the student activities committee. She's the whole reason we have any fun things to do at school besides work. Always bubbly and enthusiastic, I've even had the pleasure of talking to her a few times.

She's been dating Aaron West for two years, a football player. One of the rare nicer ones, and they've always been so attached at the hip. I can't imagine what this is doing to her.

"Shit. I'm so tired of hearing about these missing kids," Kendall told. "They always get found dead in a week or two with that symbol carved into their backs."

Over 26 people have been kidnapped and murdered in the past two years. About 75% of those casualties have been teenagers, most of them from our school and our rival school.

The only thing linking these murders together was the symbol carved into their backs when their bodies are found. The letter D with three slashes going through it. People have suspected it may not be one person killing these people, that it could perhaps be a cult. And maybe this cult might even include a teenager or more from one of our high schools. Which is what made the two school's rivalry get so ugly.

A grunt escaped Serena's cherry stained lips.

"I wish John F. Kennedy High and Franklin D. Roosevelt High would burn to the ground," Serena gritted, throwing her lollipop stick.

"Serena," Kendall warned.

"Que?" Serena snapped. "None of these stupid schools are doing anything to protect us. Hell, the police department is barely doing anything to protect us."

"I know, pero like we at least have to try to make the best of it," Kendall ran a hand through her long brunette straight hair.

"Maybe if they stop cutting art programs and bring dance back," Serena told. "I'll keep myself from committing arson, for now."

"Ever considered cheerleading?" Kendall asked.

"Tal vez," she shrugged.

Serena's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as an idea came into her twisted mind.

"On a lighter note, there's going to be new freshmen tomorrow. Which means lots of fresh men," She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Freshmen, Serena really?" Hazel grimaced. "Can you try not to go after every cute guy you lay eyes on. Especially the ones that are younger than you!"

"Oh sweetie, you've got it all wrong. I don't go after cute guys, cute guys go after me," Serena flipped her hair.

Hazel's eyes rolled. "You make the idea of being with one guy sound nonexistent."

Serena's hands jerked forward but Kendall grabbed her wrists before they were able to reach Hazel's throat.

"Don't you dare slut shame me abuela," Serena scoffed. "Back me up here Luna."

I was still in a bit of a daze staring at the stars, shivering from the breeze. Usually, stargazing puts me in a better mood, but nothing was saving me from my depressing thoughts today. All I can do is put on a smile and try to distract myself.

"Luna?" Kendall nudged.

"Huh?" I was brought back down to earth.

"What's up with you? You're not usually this spacy," Kendall asked.

"I don't know. I guess I'm just not in the mood for conversation," I fidgeted with the hair tie on my wrist.

The girls went silent for a few measly seconds, all taking glances at each other. Each of their once glowing expressions, dimmed. Kendall looked like she was choosing her next words very carefully. As if she said one wrong word, I'd shatter like a piece of glass.

"Is it because it's almost her anniversary?" Kendall quietly asked.

I pushed out a deep sigh that was building in my chest. Giant clouds began to cover the bright stars I was once staring at.

"It's September," I paused. "It always hits me when school starts."

"I'm sorry," Hazel shut her book with a frown on her face.

That right there is the pity I was trying to avoid. I shot her a sad smile.

"It's ok, I'm always going to feel sad around this time. But I'll get over it soon."

An uncomfortable tragic silence took place for what felt like an hour, was just a minute long. It didn't help the growing pit in my stomach as my thoughts swirled

"You know what I think you need," Kendall smirked to the other girls.

The girls smirked back and all three looked at me with a mischievous gleam in their eyes. Oh no.

"A best friend sandwich!"

And with that said I was pulled off the hood of Hazel's car, and reeled into a tight hug between the three girls.

"Guys, I can't breathe," I wheezed.

They didn't care though.

While I was being squished to death, I couldn't help but smile ear to ear. We crush together like a sandwich when one of us was sad. It's to make sure the person knows, that they have us no matter what. And of course being me, I accidentally stepped on Hazel's foot and made our sandwich tip over and fall to the ground.

Well I'll be finding grass in my hair tonight.

We all laughed at the clumsy event, my friends coming up with clever puns about how much of a clutz I was. And that was the last care free night my friends and I really had before what could be the craziest year of my life, began.

***

"Luna! Wakeee uppppppp!"

My bloodshot eyes peaked open to find my sad excuse for a brother in my room, loudly strumming on my guitar. Off key, plucking at the strings with such force I was surprised they didn't break off.

"It's the first day of school and you didn't set your alarm last nightttttt," he continued strumming and awfully singing.

I quickly snatched the pillow next to me and threw it straight at my brother's giant head. He claims it's big because of his large brain, I'd like to think it's just filled with air.

"Break those strings, and your play station ends up in the trash," I warned.

He set my guitar down on it's stand and picked up the pillow I threw. I stared at him through narrowed eyes. He was clean and dressed and not hungover. I could've swore he was going to go to some last night of summer party last night but I guess not.

"I wouldn't have to do that if you would just remember to set your alarm and not stay up so late pretending to be Ed Sheeran," Mason snickered.

Why couldn't I have been an only child? At first glance, you wouldn't think we were twins at all. We have the same green eyes, a few of the same facial features, but his hair is a lighter brown while mine was closer to ebony. He's way taller, a lot more athletic, and ten times more charismatic than I will ever be.

Mason is also very very overwhelmingly protective of me. I already have a dad, but he makes me feel like I have two.

"Whatever," I yawned. "Is mãe home?"

"Nope, she decided to try out yoga for the first time with Victoria," Mason threw my pillow and it smacked me right in my tired face before I could even react. "Get dressed depressa."

I'll make sure to bring the blow horn out of the garage the next time he oversleeps.

I ripped the covers off of me and slumped over to my bathroom to get all of the hygienics out of the way. Luckily for my brother and I, I get ready quickly. I've mastered the art of finding leggings and a hoodie, fixing my awful to manage curly hair, and slabbing a bit of makeup on my alien like face all in a matter of fifteen minutes.

I swiped on some vanilla flavored lip balm, shrugged on the three hundred pound backpack I'll be carrying for the next couple of months and went downstairs. Sadly stepping into the kitchen, I found my idiotic brother's even more idiotic best friend sitting at the table. My tired expression turned into a cold hard glare the second I laid eyes on him.

Demetri mother of god why does he have to exist Garcia. He's Kendall's cousin, Mason's best friend, and his mom and my mom are best friends. There's so many ways we're linked to each other, it's almost like the universe is forcing him to be in my life in some way.

He's everything I despise in a person. He's cocky, doesn't have a single care in the world, and toys with a significant sickening amount of girls.

Demetri's philosophy is, if you're female and not into me, I'll just annoy the crap out of you instead. With that being said, I'm in his favorite girl in the whole wide world to annoy. His favorite thing to taunt me with is that stupid accidental kiss we had back in middle school. I was running after him because he stole my Oreo's, he stopped out of nowhere, I rushed and fell on top of him, and bam, lips collided.

Worst first kiss ever. Mason even gave him a black eye for it. Kendall almost broke his wrist, and mine. Him living next door and us having a little connecting roofing to our windows just makes it all a little too overly convenient in his favor. I should've grabbed Mason's room when I had the chance, but five year old me didn't know any better at the time.

Demetri was smugly finishing up a box of cereal. To be more specific, my favorite box of cereal.

I inhaled sharply.

Not today, he's not worth it. It's just cereal, you can always get more.

I pushed back my thoughts and grabbed a cup of vanilla yogurt from the fridge. Once I turned around, there sat the pest, dark eyes watching me intently, a devilish grin plastered onto his face.

I eyed him back. The most annoying thing about Demetri may be the fact that he's so unfairly attractive. Even I have to admit he's a looker, but it doesn't excuse him for being such a jackass.

His hair was the color of charred obsidian, and for as long as I could remember he always wore it a little spiked. He had a pair of dark eyes full of mischief to match, and a smile that was wicked and would make any female's panties drop straight to the ground. Demetri also had no trouble in the sculpted and fit department either. His jawline looks sharp enough to saw a desk in half, and he was packing some serious muscle under that gray sweater he was wearing. Demetri had that kind of look that would make you stop on your tracks just to make sure you weren't hallucinating.

Hard to believe he's even real, but no he is. And I desperately wish he wasn't.

A smirk tugged on his lips.

"What?" I asked bluntly.

"Nothing just," Demetri's dark eyes eyed me up and down. "Those leggings. Not that I'm complaining, but I'm pretty sure your brother will."

"They're leggings, not a mini skirt," I defended.

"Wouldn't mind seeing you in that too," he winked.

Refrain from gouging his eyes out with a spoon. Refrain from gouging his eyes out with a spoon.

"If you like them so much maybe you should wear one," I told.

"You know I would, but it wouldn't do my legs enough justice."

If he were wearing gym shorts right now, I know he would've thrown his leg on the table and flexed it.

My eyes rolled as I turned around to put my spoon in the sink and empty yogurt carton in the trash. I peaked out of the corner of my eye shortly after to see Demetri's eyes lingering onto something that would definitely earn him a bloody lip from Mason.

That's when I snatched a pineapple magnet on the fridge and threw it at him. Unfortunately it landed into his cereal bowl instead of his face.

I'm so sorry Froot Loops, you didn't deserve that.

"Keep your eyes off my ass perve," I snapped.

"Don't flatter yourself too much Luanna," he said my name slowly. "I was staring at that... pantry behind you."

I cringed when I heard my name. I always do when he says it slow enough for me to not avoid it. Demetri does not call me Luna no matter how many times I've told him to. He simply sticks to my real name to torture me some more.

"Stop calling me that," I said for the umpteenth time.