Glow by Anya Monroe Page B

Colton and Junie and Duke. They’ve all been really good to me.”
    “I know. I just see how he looks at you.”
    “He likes the idea of me.” It’s the truth. “He likes the idea that he can help this weak girl grow strong wings.”
    But I don’t want his help.
    I want to learn to fly on my own.
    “I think Lukas is the one who needs your help, Lucy.” She picks at the thread of the comforter. This is the reason she sought me out, to talk about Lukas.
    “I don’t think so. It seems like Lukas has everything pretty well figured out on his own.” I roll my eyes and fall back on my pillows.
    “He’s a mess.”
    “Why do you say that?” I ask, turning toward her. “You’ve only just met him.”
    “When we were driving away from Refuge Two, Perfection was getting all annoying again. You know how she is? Like forcing him to kiss her, and getting all flustered when he wouldn’t answer her. It was like he was trying to protect her, and not betray you, so he kept his mouth shut.”
    “He did betray me, Basil.”
    “Let it go, Lucy. You would have done the same for him, and if you think you wouldn’t, you’re lying to yourself. He was willing to do anything to get you back. That is commitment.”
    “What’s the point of all this? You want to tell me that Lukas is a great guy, give him a second chance, rah-rah-rah. I never said he wasn’t special. I just said I don’t want to be tied to him like that.”
    “That isn’t the point. The reason I came here was to tell you, that night in the car, Lukas’s light got all weird. Like hazy and muddled. It was off. That’s when the car crashed and his light went out.”
    “Okay … I know that. His light’s gone out before, Basil. I helped turn it back on both times.”
    “His light is off again. At least it was last night, after you went to bed. He was having a really great time because everyone believes in him. And I get it. I mean, you guys are like Heaven on earth, or something insane that I don’t even understand. Something happens when you’re together that doesn’t when your apart.”
    “Basically you’re telling me I can never leave his side?”
    “That’s not what I‘m saying at all. I’ve been in the dark, Lucy. And when we were at the Rehabilitation Center, I know he did something dark. He was in a room with a Humbleman and he … I don’t know what … but I think you need to help him so his light doesn’t get ruined, like, so he doesn’t go to the dark side.”
    “I feel trapped, Basil.” I shock myself as vulnerability drips from my voice.
    “You’re not trapped, you’re growing.” Basil squeezes my hand, and I see fear in her eyes. She isn’t joking about the things she shared. She’s scared for Lukas, scared for his light. Scared in ways I don’t completely understand.
    But I trust her.
    I grab hold of the word, trust , not wanting to let go. The word that’s held me back and held me down. I’m realizing it may also be the word that sets me free. Maybe trusting someone isn’t always bad. Maybe trust can help us get through the hard parts. The parts that are too scary to do alone.

29.
     
    Lukas
     
    Everything in my life, besides Charles and the massive chip on his shoulder, seems to be taking shape. There’s a big hunting party right now, and everyone is hoping to find enough food to sustain the large group gathered. I stayed behind, wanting to look through the book Junie has claimed as her own. Every time I read the words describing the meaning of my light, and the reason for the Rainbow Children, I feel reinvigorated.
    “Lukas?” Lucy walks into the study. Seeing her furrowed brows and hesitant steps, I can tell something’s off. If Charles got to her, I’m not going to let it slide. I won’t let him manipulate her.
    Her long hair hangs across her face, and she brushes it from her eyes. The green cloud surrounding her still manages to catch me off guard, in a good way. I never thought there’d be someone in the