Broken Bridge

10

I finished dinner early and a cook cleared my plate. I was told quietly by mom to stay at the table until everyone had finished. I knew that that was going to take a while. My family talked A LOT and eating made it slower. I joined the conversation (fishing and Grandpapa's big catch that had happened over the school year) and patiently waited for dinner to end. Finally, when all the plates had been cleared everyone departed Castle Ivory, including, surprisingly, Grandpa and Granny. Grannie gave Autumn, Mom, Carol, and Massie each a bag of her famous cookies as Grandpapa finished up talking about fishing to Leo and Jack. My grandparents bid us goodbye and walked back into Castle Ivory. The cold wind had finally caught up to us and we all hurried back to the house. It started to lightly rain once we got inside. Mom started a fire and started making hot cocoa. She did this every time it started raining. It never snowed here but sometimes we would leave the island to somewhere that snowed. That was rare. I thanked mom as she handed me some hot cocoa and proceeded to stare at the fire. Willow was looking out the window at the rain and mom and Aurora were talking on the couch next to me. I wanted nothing more than to go to bed but mom always wanted everyone to stay up for a bit. But sometimes I can sneak off to bed without her noticing. Hopefully tonight is one of those nights.

"Luna." Aurora's voice broke me out of my thoughts. "Mom asked you a question."

"Oh, sorry." I said. "I wasn't paying attention."

"It's okay." Mom said. "I was just wondering if you were tired."

"Yes." I nodded. Mom gave me a kind smile.

"Finish your hot chocolate and run up to bed." She said. I smiled back.

"Okay."

The next day when I woke up it had stopped raining and the blazing sun had seeped up all the puddles that had been lying around last night. I got out of bed, changed, and ran downstairs. Mom had already made breakfast and I gobbled it up quickly before brushing my teeth and hurrying outside. Me, the twins, Leo, my siblings, and Cassie had planned stuff for today and you didn't want to be late. They were all waiting for you on the beach.

"Sorry I'm late." I said. They all nodded. "So, what are we doing?"

"We're thinking about playing tennis."

Yes, we have a tennis court on the island.

"Sounds good." I said. I followed them to the tennis court (it was on the other side of the island) and we split up in our teens. The teams were Me, Leo, and Cassie versus Willow, Aurora, and Jack. Olive didn't really feel like playing because her stomach felt a bit off so she reffed. It was a close game but Willow, Aurora, and Jack won by two points.

"Good game." We all panted as we shook hands with the opposing team. "Good game."

Soon we were all standing outside Castle Ivory waiting for the adults to come out with food for a picnic. Autumn was first to come out, loudly chatting with Massie followed by the rest of her siblings and parents. The kids followed them to a shady area near Broken Bridge. There was a swing hanging out of a tree nearby that me and my cousins used to play on when we were little. Rose was applying pink nail polish as everyone helped set lunch up.

"Did you guys play tennis?" Carol asked?

"Yeah." Leo said. "It was really fun." Carol smiled.

"Good."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rose roll her eyes. The cooks had made sandwiches and lemonade. Rose sipped her lemonade through a straw. I laid back on the grass and looked up through the leaves of the trees. So far this summer was good. Nothing had happened. Hopefully nothing will happen. Hopefully.

I was walking along the beach when I heard feet padding behind me. I turned around to see a blur of neon pink and soon I was on the ground and Rose was over me.

"What the hell?" I demanded. "What are you doing?"

"I'm doing something I should have done a long time ago." Rose hissed. Her hands tightened around my throat.

"Please stop!" I gasped. "Please Rose!" But she didn't. I kneed her in the chest making her keel over off me. I jumped up and ran off. I knew she would say I attacked her.

"Luna? Are you okay?" Cassie asked. Her and my cousins and siblings were sitting on towels by the beach.

"Yeah." I said. "I'm just going for a walk." I walked away. Why didn't I tell them what happened? I thought. I can handle Rose. I smiled confidently. Little did I know, I couldn't.

The picnic finished shortly and I helped clean up. What now? I thought. I internally shrugged and walked back into Broken Bridge. I brought out a lawn chair and a book and sat down near the tennis courts to read. I'm just going for a walk. I turned the page. Please stop! I finished the chapter. I'm doing something I should have done a long time ago. I turned the page.

"Luna."

I looked up.

"What are you reading?" My mom asked, coming cover.

"It's the book I got for my birthday." I said.

"Is it any good?" My mom asked. I nodded.

"It is."

"Good." My mom said smiling. "That's good." I nodded in agreement. I jumped up and ran off. My mom nodded and turned away. Luna? Are you okay? I returned to my book. Yeah.

"Of course I am." I whispered. "Why wouldn't I be."