"Do you have a favorite song by him?" Rose asked, as we payed for our lunches.  She had invited me to sit with her friends.  I hadn't really made any besides her, (and Mack, I suppose) but I wasn't prepared to step out there. 

"I'm not sure.  They're all too good." I said.  She smirked.  

Rose still had no idea that I was best friends with Adam.  At least, I thought we were.  I hadn't seen him in what felt like ages.  He never came over, or called.  Not even a stupid little "Hey" text.  

It was like he never even came back. 

As much as I wanted to think I could be without him, I was struggling horribly.  Who knew that spending one month with someone would cause me to miss him so?  

"Hadley!" Rose elbowed me, which almost caused me to drop my tray.  Her harsh whisper rang in her ears.  

"What is it?" 

"Mack.  Look over there." I followed her gaze to a single table in the corner of the room.  It was one of only a few that wasn't swamped with loud, rowdy teenagers.  Mack sat silently, stabbing at what was left of his food.  He was watching us both, but as soon as he saw us looking at him, he dropped my gaze.  I felt bad, because he was sitting all alone.  

We found our spot at Rose's table, and talked and laughed about something one of the English teachers did.  

I found myself looking over at Mack's table, and what I saw made my heart pound.  

A girl who was in a few of my classes, I think her name was Lexie, was sitting next to him, smiling and flirting.  She laughed, playing with her brown hair.  Was it just me, or did she look at me and smirk?  

Mack was smiling and talking along with her.  I couldn't hear them, but I knew it was something I would never be apart of.  

Player.  

It was a fine fall Friday night and Owatonna was playing a football game, but Rose wasn't interested in that.  She invited me and a few other friends over to her house to have a sleepover.  

Including Lexie.  

Around eleven at night, we started a game of truth or dare.  It wasn't very interesting, until Lexie said, "Hadley, what's going on with you and Mack Alexander?"  These few words caught every girls' attention.  I suddenly felt embarrassed with all their eyes on me.  

"Nothing really.  He's my lab partner," I explained, thinking about what I told Bridget about him.  How handsome and charismatic he was.

How foolish could I have been?

"Really?  I've heard rumors." Lexie examined her nails.  I hid my smirk.  She was trying to pretend that she wasn't the one spreading the rumors in the first place.  

"What rumors?" I asked.  Everyone in the room looked like they were on the edge of their seats.  

"Everyone's saying that you're the next girl he's after.  He'll kiss you, but he won't miss you."  

I rolled my eyes.  "I'm not looking to date anyone anytime soon.  Especially not someone like him."  Which was true.  

I hoped so.  

"That's what I thought.  But I've dated him before," Lexie continued, "and Hadley, he's probably kissed half of the girls in the grade."  She gave a little head nod after that statement, as if she was approving it.  I heard a few murmurs of agreement from the other girls.  

She smirked, "I assume you're next."

The look on my face was one of pure annoyance.  "I'm sure he hasn't kissed half of the-"

"I've kissed him," Lexie perked up, with a smug little smile on my face.  A few other girls had variations of "Same here" and "I have too".  

Lexie relished in the hurt look on my face.  I didn't know why I was upset about this.  I didn't like him; he was an annoying, arrogant, incompassionate playboy with a disregard for girl's feelings.  My mind kept flashing back to earlier that day when Lexie and him were talking.  When she looked over at me, almost laughing.  

But that didn't bother me.  He could toy with Lexie all he wanted, and I wouldn't care.  I wouldn't want that to be me.  

Right?

While I was putting away my things to go home on Monday, I felt someone behind me.  Turning around to see him, I rolled my eyes.  

Speak of the devil...

"You know, I was thinking that, because we didn't finish the project in class, we could meet up somewhere to do it." Mack said, hands in his pockets.  He had one headphone ear bud in, and I could hear his music loud and clear.  

Shutting my locker, I said, "I'm busy today."

"What about tomorrow?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Wednesday?"

"How about I take the project home and do it myself?"  It wasn't a friendly offer.  I just wanted him to know that I didn't want anything to do with him.  

He almost smirked as he walked along with me.  "Is there any time you're available?"

"Not really, no."

Mack sighed.  "Are you just one of those people who can't stand the company of losers?"

"Exactly." 

I regretted what I said to Mack, but a part of me thought he deserved to be treated the way he treated others.  If Adam knew what I had said, he would have been furious.  How could Hadley, his sweet little Hadley, be so cold?

After the lovely heat of June passed, the world turned cold.  After he left me.  

Isn't that right, Adam?  You never  thought that I, out of everyone, would have gotten so angry, so hateful?

I wasn't proud of my bitter mind, but I couldn't stop thinking such negative thoughts.  

In my room, I watched the wind blow the leaves around.  I tried my best not to look at the mural on my wall, at the entwined hands.  Because even then I wasn't happy.  I knew he had to leave.  He did too.

For a person who actually liked winter, I wished for it to skip Minnesota.  I wanted to feel June again, to be back in the summer, in Blue Lake.  When my father was still around and well.  

The door opened downstairs and I could hear her set all of her bags on the counter.  I still was waiting for the puppy for greet us at the door.  

A car drove down the road, along with the mail truck.  I heard a few of the neighbors raking leaves.  Deciding it would be better for me to be able to forget about Adam by doing homework, I pulled out my textbooks from my bag.  This terrible algebra wasn't going to finish itself.  

About an hour later, Bridget came up into my room, holding a piece of paper.  "This came in the mail."  I took the envelope from her, and she sat on the bed, reading over my shoulder.  

It was from Adam.  

Dear Hadley, 

I am so sorry for my lack of contact with you ever since I came back.  I've been incredibly tied-up with my work with the band.  I would love to show soon all of the new music I've been composing.  

As much as I wish I could see you, I'm afraid that I might be busy for another week or so.  Though, you should know that I miss you more than you could ever know.  Every night I think about what it was like back in Blue Lake, being able to spend all my time with you.  The thought of spending my fall and winter with you is wonderful, and I can't wait until I can get back home.  

Where am I, you might be thinking?  I'm in Minneapolis, staying with some friends.  I promise that I will be home soon.  It's hard to be happy without you.

Love, 

Adam.  

I reread the letter so many times Bridget got bored with me and left.  He was coming home soon.  He missed me.  He still cared.  

"Oh, Adam," I whispered, "please come home soon."

Hey guys!

I'm so sorry this chapter was so short and I am also deeply sorry that I haven't updated in a disgustingly long amount of time.  You have the right to send me hate for my incompetence (or love for the chapter.  Preferably love, but whatever floats your boat, I suppose.). 

I'll try to update quicker next time.  I promise. 

Peace, 

Luna <3