The Moonwalkers

School Drama

The moon was half-filled, the full moon only a week away.
The hearing just a day after.
I don't know if it was just me, but I felt some powers surging inside me. I consulted Mom about this and she assured me that it was completely normal.
"The moon is growing, that makes our instincts grow powerful too," Mom explained. "These are the days you have to focus to keep your Wolfie at bay."
I chuckled and nodded, shifting my legs a little. "Alright. But is it okay to let her out at home?"
"Was it okay the last time you did that?" Charlene asked, looking up from her phone.
I immediately shook my head. "Nope. I shouldn't have listened to Chris..."
"It would be fine to do so in the future, but not now," Mom added. "You're still not used to your powers. You have to learn how to control it properly."
Chris sauntered down the stairs in his werewolf form and sat down beside me.
"I feel so much more free when I'm here and not living with Charles," Chris growled out, his arms behind his head. "It was like trying to stop myself from sneezing."
I patted his shoulder comfortingly. "I know, I know."
Mom sighed. "The hearing is next week."
All of us fell silent at the reminder, including Chris. I know that it would be worse if the divorce didn't happen but the fact that it's happening just doesn't sit right either.
"We have to dress formally, right?" Charlene asked.
"Yes, formal attire," Mom nodded. "Not the wedding kind of formal, it's the business kind."
"I'm not sure I even have clothes like that," I sighed.
"Just wear something nice," Chris replied. "I'm gonna do the same."
I nodded. I think it's time I pick something to wear. A cardigan over a shirt and some slacks should do the trick. Now, if only I can find that cardigan...
Or maybe I can wear that button-up shirt instead. With a pencil skirt, maybe?
Why am I planning an outfit for an event as depressing as that?

***

I hate how Luna actually blames me for telling on her 'hiding spot' to her friends instead of keeping it a secret. Like I'm supposed to know that telepathically. She should actually be grateful, seeing how her friends genuinely care for her. I remember when I used to talk about my problems with my friends back from my old school, they ignored me sometimes. She won the lottery by finding real friends and wants to complain about it.
I stopped eating with them as soon as I realised how Luna shot me death glares every chance she got. I'm not the one who insisted on eating at that table, why should I stay then?
I was a little surprised when Priscilla sat with me instead of joining the rest, even when I pointed out to her that I wasn't going to eat with them.
"I know, Luna was complaining about you the other day," Priscilla said. "I know you did nothing wrong when telling Kayla and Lydia about her reading a manga in the gardens. She overreacts when it comes to her webcomics, though all I ever wanted to do was recommend her to some mangas as well."
"You read them too?" I asked.
Priscilla nodded excitedly. "Yep! I even found this cool app with amazing mangas!"
She took her phone out and proceeded to tell me about it, how it saves your reading progress, and how you can earn points and read new chapters for free. I took my phone out as well and searched the app, quickly finding it and getting it downloaded. Priscilla then went on to talk about the manga recommendations she had for me. I gave her some too and she took those down as well.
I spotted Barbara looking at me from the table she sat at as I turned back to my lunchbox. She had a slight frown on her face as she regarded me. Great, now she thinks I've wronged her too? What did I ever do?

Barbara ambushed me as soon as she walked back to class. "Why do you not eat with us anymore?"
"Because I noticed how I sometimes get blamed for something that wasn't wrong," I said, taking my books out. "I don't want to be around people who don't like me, so I moved."
"And you took Pris along with you?" Barbara said in surprise. "You didn't have to brainwash her as well."
I scowled at her. "I did not do that. Priscilla came to sit with me by herself. I didn't even call her, let alone brainwash her. If that's what you think of me, then I'm sorry. I will not eat at the canteen again if that makes you happy."
Barbara looked at me in surprise. "But, Charlotte..."
I turned away, angry with myself that I actually agreed to sit with them during recess, without knowing what kind of people they were. Why invite me into their friend group if they were going to treat me like an outcast? I'm not the one who went to sit with them, they called me.
Barbara left me and sat down at her desk as soon as the teacher walked in. I discreetly wiped the drops that escaped my eyes and turned my attention back to my books.
I had to focus on my studies, rather than worrying about my peers. Friends might not always be with you, but the knowledge you get will stay. I ignored Barbara and paid full attention to the teacher at the front and tried not to think of anything she said earlier.
Even when it was time to go home, I was out by the time she could even pack her bag. I don't want to have this talk now, especially since I have other things to worry about.
Like the hearing.
Gosh, thinking about itself can send a shiver down my spine. Why am I so scared of it? It's not like we aren't already living like that now.
I sat down at one of the tables and took my phone out. I'm not going to let this ruin my mood again. If anything, none of these issues have anything to do with me. I just sighed and waited for Mom to come pick me up.
A shadow suddenly towered above me and I looked up to see Luna. I frowned and scooted to the side, scowling as I turned away.
"Charlotte?" I turned my scowl to Luna when she addressed me. "I... I'm... sorry."
"For what?" I asked, not sure if it's for what I think.
"I'm sorry for blaming you, I'm sorry for talking bad about you," Luna said. "I didn't know that... that Priscilla actually came to sit with you on her own, I was sure you talked her into it."
I just nodded. "Okay." I finally said before turning back to the gate to watch for Mom's arrival.
"That's... that's all?" Luna said in surprise. "Just 'Okay'?!"
"What do you want me to say, then?" I said without turning to her.
"I don't know, a thank you?" Luna said.
"Who on earth responds to Sorry with Thank You?" I stood up, raising a brow at her. "Why do I have to thank you for apologising for a mistake that you made?"
I must've scared her, seeing how she looked really small now that I was standing, shrinking away slightly as she looked at me fearfully. I sighed and turned away, seating myself down again. "It's fine, thank you for having the courage to apologise to me."
Luna muttered something and ran off. I spotted Mom's car passing the gates and got up, grabbing my bag to leave the school drama behind.