Luna✔

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tranquility

tran·quil·i·ty

the quality or state of being tranquil; calm.

"Miss Miller." A voice said, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Yes Mrs. Williams?" I responded politely while looking up at her. 

"You are needed in Mr. Garcia's office with your things." I almost sighed in relief. I thought she was going to ask for an answer that I was definitely not paying attention to. 

I nodded and gathered my things. Once I made it to my locker, I tossed my things in and grabbed my bag. I made my way to the office while drifting into my thoughts. 

Wonder what this visit is about. They didn't find out about it, did they? If you're wondering what "it" is, it's what goes on at home. 

John. 

John is my step-father. He may be my legal guardian but John is anything but a father figure. He once was at least, but not anymore. 

5 years ago, my mother died from cancer. 

At first John neglected me, little 8 year-old me thought it was how he coped. We all cope differently. 

Soon, John started to shove me around a little bit. By then I was 9. He would slap me if I did something wrong, and I thought that was normal. 

Then when I was 10, he began to blame me. Mainly for my mom's death, but sometimes it was little things. 

As I grew older, John grew more violent. We were no longer the happy family we once were. 

I had rules, like having breakfast and dinner ready for him or cleaning the house. If I messed up, I would expect a bruised rib. 

That's just how I was raised. 

There was one time John went too far, but I would prefer not to talk about that right now. 

Finally I was at Mr. Garcia's office. I knocked on the door and he gave me permission to come in. He was looking at me with sympathetic eyes and I knew something was wrong. 

I sat down in front of him and he took a deep breath before speaking. "Luna, I'm very sorry to inform you that your step-father has passed." 

Wait, what? John's Dead? 

"H-how?" I managed to get out. "The police said he was driving somewhere drunk and another driver crashed into him. He was killed instantly." He said solemnly. 

I was shaking and felt my eyes watering. Yes John was bad, but he was the only "family" I had. 

"What's going to happen to me now?" I shakily asked. I don't have any relatives so would I go into foster care? Maybe an orphanage? I haven't heard pleasant stories about those places. 

"Actually, we found out you have older brothers and the eldest agreed to take you in." Hold on, brothers? God, this is all so much to take in. "Wait, you said 'brother's' plural, I have more than one?" I asked. 

"Yes," He nodded, "You have seven." 

Seven?! Oh no, if they're like John, I don't even want to think about it. 

"Can I please use the restroom?" This was too much to take in. 

"Yes, but don't take too long, somebody will be retrieving you to take you to New York where your brothers are living.'' I nodded and left the room. 

I made my way to the bathroom and hoped no one was in there. Fortunately, there wasn't. 

I went into the stall that had a sink and mirror in it and just stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself. 

A girl with dull green eyes and brown hair pulled into a bun stared back. 

My eyes were something I used to take pride in, I would always get compliments on them. 

They were happy and bright once, but not anymore. Now they are dull and lifeless. 

I'm wearing a dark gray sweatshirt with dark gray sweatpants, mainly to cover the scars. John was smart when it came to beatings, never on my face or in visible places. 

I took a deep breath and went back to the office. When I walked in, I noticed another man. He looked similar to me. 

He had brown hair and green eyes just like me. The only difference was that his eyes were darker in color. They also seemed to have no emotion, but when I walked in they seemed to brighten a little. 

If I had to guess he was one of my brothers. 

"Hello, Luna. I am Lorenzo, one of your eldest brothers." The man said with a deep voice. He had a slight Italian accent. "Hello, it is nice to meet you." I responded politely. He smiled at me warmly. 

He then looked to Mr. Garcia and his cold facade was back. "We will be taking our leave now." Lorenzo said. Mr. Garcia just nervously nodded. That's strange. I just shrugged it off. 

I grabbed my bag off the chair it was on and followed my brother out of the school and into the parking lot. He took me to a black car, I don't know much about cars but I could tell this car was expensive. 

He opened the front door of the car for me and I sat down. He got in the driver's seat and we drove off. 

My house was about 10 minutes away which was convenient because John made me walk to school. 

"So Luna, tell me about yourself." Lorenzo said while smiling at me warmly. "Oh I like to read and I play piano." I said softly. 

"That's very nice! I would love to hear you play." He said. I just smiled. 

"Hm, you're not very talkative are you? Well I'll tell you about myself!" He said excitedly. I laughed at how much energy this man had. 

"Well I am 21 and I have a twin brother named Leonardo. I am obviously the better twin, Leo is just a grumpy old man. Moving on, My favorite color is brown, preferably dark. My favorite food is lasagna. Oh it is so good! Our head chef, Maria, makes the best lasagna! Just wait until you try it!" He ranted. 

As he talked I realized we were almost to my "home". He must have realized that too because he stopped ranting about his favorite things. 

"Okay, we're here. You can go on in and I'll wait out here so you can have some privacy in getting your things." Lorenzo said while smiling at me solemnly. I just nodded and got out. 

This should be fun.