Where Silence Gathers by Kelsey Sutton

head. That bright smile stretches across her face, blinding me, and Shame squeezes my shoulder while I get in the backseat. His touch makes me remember how I left her the other night.
    â€œHey, you,” Briana says, twisting, completely unaware. “I brought your jacket. You forgot it at my house.” She tosses it to me.
    Alexandra .
    Neither of my friends notices me stiffen. My grip makes the jacket bunch up. Georgie starts the car, and we leave the diner behind.
    â€œAre you sure you want to go tonight?” Briana asks, marking her page with her finger as we squeal down Main Street. Really, the town’s only street. “I mean, we don’t have to. We could just stay in and make a—”
    Georgie snorts. “As if. We’re going to have fun tonight, even if I have to force you guys. Plus, I need someone to protect me from Billy. He’s been more persistent than usual.” She grimaces. The rest of the way to the lake, she talks about L.A. and how annoying the boy from school is. Briana nods and makes noises of agreement and I watch the world pass us by.
    Then we’re bumping down a back road, and water glints in the distance. “Ready, girls?” Georgie demands, practically bouncing. She’s pulling my jacket onto her bony shoulders. A group of kids are already here, teeth glinting in the twilight as they laugh and talk and pretend that this life is enough for all of us. The bonfire reaches for the sky with quivering orange fingers.
    We get out. I wrap my arms around myself. The Bentley twins wave at us. Rachel Porter stands beside them, the violet streaks in her hair glinting in the firelight. A muscle tightens in Briana’s jaw, and when she leaves to talk to her, she’s followed by Apprehension and Longing.
    Georgie must have disappeared without my realizing it, because a few seconds later she hurries back and puts a beer in my hand. She ignores my protests as she abandons me again. Billy Jenkins stands by the flames and greets her with a wide grin. I don’t need to see her face to know she’s grinning back. Protect her, indeed.
    â€œHey, Alex.”
    A shadow falls over me, and I tense before seeing who it is. “Oh, Mark. I didn’t know you were in town.” My fists unclench.
    Georgie’s cousin smiles. He graduated from Franklin High a year ago, but like most people from this town, he seems unable to leave it completely. He towers over me, and my neck begins to hurt from looking up. Mark has the friendliest face, though. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him frown.
    â€œJust for the night,” he replies, running a hand through his thick curls. “Georgie invited me. How have you been?”
    â€œFine,” I lie. “And how are classes at Green River going? Is Andrew still your advisor?”
    â€œClasses are great, and yeah, Andrew is the best. Just one more year to go and I’ll have my degree. I’m actually thinking of moving back up here and—”
    â€œMark! Get over here!” Georgie, of course. Mark turns toward her and holds up one finger.
    But I’m already retreating. “Actually, go ahead. I’m going to get another drink.”
    â€œAre you sure?” A wrinkle deepens in his forehead. “I mean, we can talk. I haven’t seen you in a while, and I was hoping we could catch up.”
    â€œFind me later,” I say. Before he can say anything else, I slip away.
    Someone else calls my name, and I just wave. Blue coolers rest by the water. Faith Carson—the pastor’s daughter—lifts the lid and digs out a bottle. Georgie is surrounded, and her hands move as she talks animatedly. Briana is off to the side, a quieter force, but still a part of the hum in the air. Even though they have secret pains like Francis and unfulfilled dreams, they manage to act as if it’s okay. They can exist with the shadows.
    But how do you exist in the darkness?
    Smoke curls through