The Lies of the Moon

8

Fiona didn't sleep that night. She laid on the unfamiliar bed on her phone. She looked at old pictures of Ashlynn and her. She smiled at the memories.

As music played around in her ears, she hummed to the beat. In the dead hours of the night, music had her back. In the hot summer weather music was still there.

Time just continued to pass eventually Fiona felt tired. But it was nine in the morning. Fiona groaned, throwing the covers off her. She rubbed her eyes, stretched and crawled out of the bed. She went to her opened suitcase on her floor, and grabbed her hair brush.

While brushing her hair, she heard a faint knock on her door. She sighed and self consciously tugged her pajama shorts lower.

"Come in," Fiona's voice broke. She continued to brush her hair as the door slowly opened.

"Hey, it's just Poppi!" Poppi said walking in the door.

"Oh, hi." Fiona said turning twoards her. She set the brush on the mattress.

"Hey, your brother and I are going to Fairporte fun fest, and I'm forcing you to go." She said giving me a wide smile.

"What?" Fiona asked, concerned. You don't want to go? Aw, to bad! You've gotta learn how to mask it all again, Fiona.

"It's just a yearly fair. Jonas asked me to ask you, but as a girl, I'm forcing you because of girl code." She grinned.

"Oh," Is what Fiona could manage to speak.

"Please!" Poppi begged sparkling her dark brown eyes. Fiona turned her head away trying to not smile.

"Sure." Fiona said, giving into the desire to smile.

"Great! I'm getting you ready! So sit," Poppi demanded. Fiona looked down and bit her lip.

"Too much?" Poppi asked. She felt a tingling of nerves spread through her spine. "If this is about scars on your arms, I already know."

Fiona froze. She didn't know what to say or what to do. Weak and pathetic, aren't you, Fiona? You can't even hide your pathetic coping hahits from her. Poppi walked closer to her and wrapped her arms around her shoulders bringing her into a hug.

"I've been there too, you know?" Poppi said. Fiona loosened herself a bit, but not embracing her back.

Poppi stepped back, sensing Fiona's lack of wanting embrace. "I'm sorry, your Dad told us." Poppi started with. Fiona bit her lip harder. "I didn't loose someone like you did, Fiona. But I've seen shit. I've been through shit that if I ever had to live through again, I'd kill myself. Or try to again at least. Fiona, you need to take care of yourself. If not for you then for your brother and Dad."

Fiona released the pressure on her lip. Again, she was lost for words. Poppi smiled at the girl before her.

"I'll try," She managed. Poppi wrinkled her nose and laughed. "Thank you," Fiona added.

"Of course." Poppi mentioned. "Now sit!" She demanded. Fiona laughed, before compiling.

"I'm gonna dress you in something a little more, more. You know?" Ashlynn said to Fiona.

"I'm not sure about that Ash. I'm not very comfortable in that type of clothing. Fiona said. Fiona hugged her sweater to her tighter.

"Fifi, I know whats best for you. You're beautiful, babe. Embrace it. It's just a small party with some college kids and whatnot. I know what's best for you, okay? Do you trust me?" She asked the blonde haired girl.

"I do." Fiona replied.

Poppi continued to rummage through Fiona's belongings, finding a long sleeve lace shirt and white jean shorts that were loose and frayed, ending in the middle of her thigh. Poppi smiled holding it up.

"This okay with you?" Poppi asked. Fiona nodded. A huge smile appeared on her face and she fiddled with Fiona's hair. "Your hair is so long and so healthy. How do you do that?" Poppi questioned.

"Just timming it often, and lots of treatments, I'd say. " Fiona replied. The girls smiled with small amounts of laughter. They got prepared headed downstairs to the common room.

Fiona couldn't quite ignore the knots in her stomach. The anxiety spreading through her bones. Random intrusive thoughts popping in her brain. Go on a ride and jump off at the top! As she took more steps, time seemed to slow. She was trapped in her mind again. Fiona tugged at her sleeves feeling self conscious.

Poppi had left Fiona to go grab her purse she forgot. Fiona stood there in the hall and waited for her. No, she wasn't lost physically. She just was lost mentally. Fiona took a couple deep breaths to calm herself, slowly feeling her heart rate slow. Poppi appeared with her purse, and smaked the large bun on Fiona's head.

She laughed and followed her to the common room. Fiona saw the top of a blond head way above her. He was leaning against the counter. Jonas. Fiona took another deep breath, which didn't go unseen by Poppi. Then she saw brown hair across the counter. She didn't recognize this man.

"Good morning, Fi." Jonas said to her. Fiona smiled and waved. Yay! Your mask is on again!

The brown haired boy looked at Fiona and smirked. Fiona darted her eyes away, afraid, nervous, anxious and overwhelmed. Slowly the brown haired boy stepped away from Jonas standing infront of her.

His hair was in a messy middle part and was a light brown color. He had blazing green eyes and a paler skin tone. He was tall. Taller than Jonas. He towered over Fiona, in a gentle, harmless matter. He wore a dark blue t shirt and black jeans. Fiona could admit to the fact that he was attractive.

"I'm Tomasso, but everyone calls me Tommy." Tomasso said, holding out his hand. Fiona stood there for a split second, staring at his eyes. "I obviously know who you are, but for shits and giggles who you be?" He added.

Fiona laughed, and grasped his hand. "Fiona." She added. They kept their hands intertwined as Poppi and Jonas stared. Fiona pulled her hand back lightly unsure if she wanted to. She suddenly felt safe and all her pain left her brain for a moment.