Page 10 of Puck My Life

They keep going, bouncing off the hallways like they’re pinballs in a pinball machine.

Mal appears, laughing, Indy on his arm. She smiles at them, and, once again, I’m struck by how wrong she is for them.

They should be mine.

I hate this. I hate it. They should never be fighting. I have to stop them.

“I’m moving out!” I shout.

The music cuts off at the worst possible time, and the sudden announcement gets all the unwanted attention I didn’t expect it to.

Deacon shakes free of Raynor and grabs my arm, pulling me to him and glaring down at me.

“That’s not funny.”

“I’m not laughing. I’m moving out,” I say with a tremble in my voice. Be strong, Vae.

This is the right thing to do, for them, for me, and for everyone.

Raynor is shaking his head, but Mal looks the worst; betrayal, devastation, the happy glow is dead and gone.

“You? You’re moving out?” Mal whispers.

I nod my head. “I am. It’s time.”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Indy says with a happy coo.

I hate her.

Deacon turns to face the gawking crowd. “Party’s over. Get the fuck out of my house.”

Raynor stares at me like he doesn’t know me. “You’re right. This changes everything.”

Mal

PAST

Two boys stand in front of her as if they are trying to keep her hidden. I can’t stop looking at her; she is happiness. She’s so pretty and tiny. Long black hair and skin that’s darker than mine. She’s smiling so widely; this must be a good place, a happy place.

I wave and smile back.

She giggles, earning an angry look from the taller boy.

We’re going to be friends forever; I just know it. The other two boys scowl and try to pull her away, but she laughs at them and returns to watching me curiously.

I refocus on the conversation the adults are having.

“He will be here until he ages out.”

“Yes, that’s fine, so will these three.”

My parents are dead, that sadness fills me again. I’d forgotten it for a minute.

They died, and there’s no one else who wants me. I had family, an aunt and uncle, but they couldn’t take me.

No one wanted me.

“Vae, get here,” Maria snaps.