*Three days later*
LUNA

"Star!" I jump down the steps into the cave, rushing towards where Star's room is.

It's been three days since I've seen her. And so far I've yet to see her or the guys show up at the boardwalk.
I'm tired of waiting around for David to tell me when I can be with my sister.

Time to take some action.

I push aside the bead curtains to see her sitting there, before she perks up when she sees it's me.
"Luna? Wha-OOF!"

I collide into her, bringing her into a tight, long hug.
I hug her as if this is my first and last time I'll ever see her. Deep down, I'm just overly happy.
"Luna," her hands try to pull away my arms, "you're hurting me."

"Sorry," I let her go, embarrassment turning my cheeks bright pink. I was kind of squeezing her too tight I guess.
"What are you doing here?" She asks, hands smoothing down her shirt.

I smile before grabbing her arm and shaking it. "Why don't you and I go out and have a girls night?"
Her eyes widen slightly and she chuckles softly. "A girls night?"

"Yes!" I say, "we've barely spent anytime together since I found you. There's so much that we need to catch up on, don't you agree?"

"Well, yeah," she mumbles, "but still. I can't go anywhere. Not tonight."
My heart sinks. "Why?"
She crosses her arms. "Because David said so."

Because David said so.
Because David said so.
BECAUSE DAVID SAID SO!!!

It's always circled around him, and I am so sick and tired of it being that way.
Star is my sister, my friend, my family.

And David can't say otherwise.

I grab her by the wrist and begin to pull her towards the exit.
"Luna!" She gasps, "didn't you hear what I just said?!"
She tries to pull her hand away, but fails.

Two reasons being my grip is strong, or she's not trying hard enough.

I stop right by the exit, turning towards a shocked Star.
"Look, let's just go to the boardwalk and have a good time. I'll leave a note here in case the guys come back, and whatever heat David has to throw, I'll take it, alright?"

"Luna-"

"Nope, no, you're not saying you have to stay here," I shake a finger in her face. "You are your own person Star. You can do and go wherever you want. These guys don't own you, so stop putting that idea in there heads."

Star sighs softly, her eyes lowering to the moist cave floor beneath us.
Her mind is turning, I can see it the way her lips purse and her fingers pinch each other.

Finally, when she raises her gaze to meet mine, she wears a giddy smirk that screams, I DARE!
One that I've never seen her wear before.

"Let's do it," she says.
I squeal, running to write a quick note for the guys before I grab her hand and go outside to my moterbike.

Operation Girl's Night is A GO!

***

We arrived at the boardwalk in great time, less then twenty minutes.
Mostly because I sped like a maniac.

A couple of times Star told me to slow down, but I didn't listen to her.
If she can handle riding with David, she can handle riding with her little sister.

I parked my bike and jumped off, running into the boardwalks entrance with Star trailing behind.
Her eyes bounce from head to head, as if she's searching for someone.

David most likely.

I glance at her a few times and ignore it, until finally it becomes unbearable.
I slow my speed to match hers, and gently I squeeze her hand reassuringly.

"Hey."

She looks at me.
I smile. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. It's just you and me tonight."

Soon, she's smiling as well, the first real smile I've seen her wear tonight.
We walk around in silence for several moments, until I gasp at the sight before me.

The most beautiful thing I've ever seen...

The Panic Plunge.

An amusement park ride that lifts you WAY up into the air, slowly, hesitantly, until it reaches its peak and let's gravity pull you down at such a rapid speed.
Then, when you're nearly to the ground, the breaks kick in and slow you down.

It's an adrenaline rush, and for someone whose an adrenaline junkie--me--I crave these type of rides.
Instantly, I run to get a spot in line before it gets anymore crowded.

Star's hand was still on mine, so when I ran, so did she.
Now, we stand and right.
Star's eyes widen as she leans down to whisper in my ear. "Are you sure about this?"

"Oh," I laugh evil like, "I am absolutely sure."
I am going freaking enjoy this.
When it's our turn and we're strapped in, I glance at Star whose face has paled.

She's never been one to handle a jolt of fear, but she's doing this for me.
I grin at her. "Don't be scared Star!" I say over the machine turning on and lifting us up.

The ride up is always the most nerve racking.
You don't know when you're gonna drop.
But once you reach the top, and the machine shuts off and you drop...
It's game.

Finally we reach the top.
Three seconds pass...then four...
Then we drop.

Out of all the people on that ride, Star screamed the loudest, whereas I cheered the loudest.

We reach the ground, and I laugh hysterically.
"Oh god that was fun!" I glance at Star, "you okay?!"

She refuses to answer me.

We get off and leave, walking down the pathway to find more adrenaline packed rides.
Haha, just joking.
Not with the way Star's acting.

She's shaking all over, and her eyes are a little teary.
"Never again," she says, and I laugh.
"What?! Vampires are okay, but the Panic Plunge is way too scary for you?!"

Star gives me a deadly stare, and I laugh again, taking her arm and running her towards the carousel.
"Alright alright, no more scary rides," I say.

***

After running around for practically two hours, Star and I finally take a seat on a bench near the ocean.

A chaotic night we've had so far.
We've gone on practically every single ride the boardwalk can offer. Plus played a ton of games, and won prizes.

Star won a shark, and I won a puppy.
Which in the end, led to us swapping prizes.
I even convinced her to go on a roller coaster, don't ask me how.
But after that, she most likely will never trust me again.

We had eaten so much fried food beforehand, that when we got on the roller coaster, Star nearly threw up.
But after a few bottles of water and some rest, the green tinge look in her face is gone, and she's back to normal.

I pull out the two copies of photos we took in the nearest photo booth just a few minutes ago.
"Here," I give her one, "that way if we're ever far apart, we can always look at these and remember."

Five pictures on each strip.
One pic we're doing the peace sign.
The other, I gave Star bunny ears.
The third, my eyes are glued shut in laughter at joke Star just said.
The fourth, we did the Devil horns.
And the fifth, our arms are thrown across our shoulders, and we smile for the camera.

The last picture is definitely my favorite.
We're just two sisters, having a good night.
Strange though, if anyone else we're to see this, they'd think we were normal.

But we are far from normal.
Star being a vampire, and a runaway sister.

I slip my copy of the pictures into my pocket the same moment Star does.
"So," I turn towards her.
She furrows her brow. "So?"
"Soooo," I push her playfully, "you probably have a lot of stories to tell!" I laugh, not noticing her face expression change to a saddened look.

"All the adventures you and the guys must've had!" I smile, "so tell me one!"
Silence stretches between us for a moment until Star begins to stutter.

"Well," she twists a handful of her skirt, "there...isn't much to tell. Usually, I don't go out. I just stay in the cave while the other four go out."

I open my mouth to speak, but she cuts me off.
"It was by choice, Luna," she says, giving me that look that says 'don't judge anyone.'

She must've read my mind.

With David being the jerk that he is, I wouldn't have doubted him to be the type to keep Star locked up in the cave.
Well...guess I can cut him some slack there.

The space between us becomes awkward, and I look forward.
I don't know what else to say, it's all...a little tense right now.

Star glances at me. "Tell me about you."
I look at her. "Me?"
The last thing I want to talk about is me right now. I want to know more about HER! Still though, from the time I have spent with her, she's shown to me that she's not giving out information lightly.

I exhale a breath.
"Um, not much has changed since you ran away," I tuck some hair behind my ear. "This one time I saved a turtle and named him Mikey, remember? From TMNT?"

She giggles. "Yes, I remember."
"I wanted to keep him as a pet, but Mom refused. So, I released him in the pond. I cried a little to be honest," I laugh, "but seriously, nothing has happened."

"What about Mom and Dad?" She asks quietly.
I sigh. "They miss you. A lot. Mom still cries to this day, Dad however tries his best to hide it, but he's hurting too."
I stare at her for several moments. "We all miss you, Star."

I shouldn't have said that.
From the way Star looks, it's like I just poured salt on her open wound and rubbed it in.

She looks away from me, eyes watering ever so slightly.
I want to reach out and hug her, but before I'm able too, Star aggressively smooths her hair down, her way of saying 'Change The Subject.'

So, I pick the worst topic of conversation ever.
"Are you dating one of the guys?"

She looks at me in absolute horror. "Luna!"
"I'm just curious!" I throw my hands up in defense. "I mean, come on, you live with them all the time. It's a possibility."

"No I am not dating any one of them," she says sternly,
"but," her face softens, "one of them loves me."

I raise a brow. "Who?" I ask, but her silence is enough of an answer for me to realize it's the meanest Lost Boy there.
"David..." I breathe out, and she nods.

He's in love with Star?!
Why?!
Then again, it does make me understand why he's possessive of her.
Still, NO ACCEPTION!

Star bites her lower lip, tugging at her shirt.
"Do you love him?" I ask softly.
It's hard for her to answer.

Her eyes bounce around the boardwalk, trying to find the words that won't come to her.
"...yes," she says finally, but instinct tells me it's forced.

"Star-"

"It's the Mating Bond," she points out, which throws me completely off topic.
Mating Bond?
What the hell is that?!

She clears her throat. "The Mating Bond are two souls that were meant to be together. But for some, two souls that were together in a past life, but found each other again in a new life."

"... uh-huh," I mumble, a little blown away at this.
Is this just a vampire thing?
Or is it like that for everyone, and we're all stupid for not knowing it?

"The Mating Bond usually snaps into place at first touch. Like this," she takes my hand, "you'll feel it instantly. But most people ignore it."

"So you're saying that your David's mate?" I almost laugh, but the look on Star's face makes my chest sink.
She's not joking whatsoever.

"Luna?"

We both look up, only to see Michael standing there.
Well, what a surprise.
Both convenient and inconvenient.
"Michael!" I jump up and hug him, not realizing that his eyes are entirely on Star.

She shells up behind me.

I pull away. "Wow it's so good to see you," I look at Star, "Oh! This is-"

"I'm Star," she stands up, "Luna's friend."
I furrow my brow.
I almost did say sister, and I don't think it would've mattered if I said that she was my sister to Michael.

Still, I guess friend is okay.

For a moment, Michael and Star only smile at each other, and I glance between them.
Do I sense some chemistry?
I smirk just a little.

Michael is a great guy.
Cute, polite, fun.
And he's Star's age!
This is a perfect match.

I tap on Star's shoulder. "Well, I'm gonna go get some candy. Star?" I push him towards Michael. "Why don't you two chat?"

She looks at me a little shocked and desperate.
"Luna-"

But I take off down the path before she can say anything.
Sorry sis! This is for the best!

I laugh under my breath and walk towards a caramel apple booth.
Cavity heaven, yes I know.
Still...I can't say no.

I wait in line, humming under my breath before I double take when someone walks past me.

Patch jacket.
Blond curly hair.
And a confident stride.

To sum it up...

"Marko?"

I get out of line and rush after him.