The Moonwalkers

A Gift

I shuddered slightly as I placed my lunch bag on the spot beside Barbara. She didn't tell me about what they had for me, not like I asked either, so I still have no clue what it is.
I'm just hoping it isn't a sick prank they're planning to pull on me.
"Charlotte, hi!" Priscilla greeted as she sat down with a grin.
I nodded, mustering a smile before turning right back to my lunchbox to stuff my face with more food. Lydia and Kayla shuffled in and sat down at the table, apologising to me for yesterday.
"It's fine, I already received lots of apologies yesterday," I chuckled nervously after I swallowed my food, kinda done with all the apologies. "I forgive you guys, especially since it was a misunderstanding."
Luna suddenly arrived and settled down beside Kayla. I quickly finished whatever that was left in my lunchbox, muttered a farewell, and got up. I then speed-walked to the sink to wash my hands before exiting through the canteen's side entrance. A small alleyway led me to the bathroom near the garden, so I made a stop there before making my way upstairs to the library.
I couldn't help but look over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me before making my way inside after placing my lunch bag on the shelf outside. I rushed in and made my way towards the English Fiction shelf to fish out a book. It was one written by Enid Blyton, one that I haven't read, called The Secret Room. I read the synopsis at the back and flipped through the pages a little before making my way over to the counter to borrow it since it looked fun.
The librarian was a little slow since one of her student colleagues kept pestering her for something. I was growing a little impatient since it was nearing the closing time too. I'm not leaving without my book, especially since I've decided to borrow it.
"Excuse me, can you please key in this book first?" I said as politely as I could, though my annoyance was seeping into the words. "It's nearing closing time, and I really need to get going."
The librarian scolded her friend and grabbed the book and my student card before turning to the computer behind her. She typed out my ID number and soon, handed the book back to me. I nodded and looked at the time. There were still five minutes left before closing time, so I decided to sit down at one of the tables to read a few pages of the book.
I finished the first page and was just about to flip to the second page when the library doors opened. Kayla and Lydia stepped in, chatting softly. I couldn't help but let out a gasp as I held the book to my face and got up, dashing to hide between the shelves. I hid and watched them make their way towards the table I had been sitting at and sat down, still chatting.
A nearby librarian shushed them, but I didn't stick around to see their reaction to that. I went to the other side of the shelves and made a run for it, exited the library, and went straight back to class.
To my dismay, Barbara was waiting for me at the doorway.
With Luna.
"Why did you leave so fast?" Barbara asked. "I told you we had something for you."
I just stared at them, unsure of what I should do. Should I run? Should I excuse myself and enter the class? Or should I just stand here and stare at them like this?
It must've been the third option since before I could do anything, Luna took a few steps towards me. I took a few steps back on impulse. I'm not taking any chances, I'm not even asking for any drama, I just want peace.
Luna held something up, a little red box. "It's for you."
I reluctantly reached for it with a slightly shaky hand and opened it. To my surprise, it was a silver necklace with a little pink rhinestone heart on it. I lifted it out of the case and looked at it, swinging like a pendulum as I held it, and the gem glistened under the sunlight.
"It's... it's beautiful," I said, staring at the necklace before turning back to the two of them. "But why?"
"As an apology for everything that happened," Luna seemed like she had a hard time letting that out. "It wasn't fair, how you were treated when you did nothing."
I smiled, not forcefully like before. "Thank you. This means a lot."
"I'm glad that you do," Luna smiled as well, revealing for the first time that she had dimples at the sides of her mouth. "We all chipped in together to get you this, Barbara and Pris helped choose it."
I turned to Barbara, still smiling as I nodded. "Thanks. I really appreciate this."
The bell suddenly rang, scaring most of the students who were still lingering around the corridors. Luna bade farewell and ran off to her class. Barbara chuckled and turned to me. "Like it?"
I nodded. "I do." I unhooked the clasp and put it around my neck, blindly feeling for the loop to secure it.
"Want me to help?" Barbara asked, coming over with her hands reaching to me.
"Uh..." just then, I felt the hook clasp onto the loop. I smiled and shook my head as I dropped my arms. "No need. It's done."
"Let's go in, our is teacher coming," Barbara said motioning for me to enter the class with her.
I turned to see Miss Nettle coming down the corridor and immediately entered the class at Barbara's heels. I sat down at my table and took out my books and stationery.

I flourished my necklace as soon as I got into the car with the rest.
"They got you a necklace?" Charlene said in surprise.
"Yeah, because they felt bad for yesterday's drama, apparently," I said, smirking as I flipped my hair back. "Oh well, free stuff for me."
"At least you got something out of it," Chris added. "Now, I don't have to replace her foundation with mud and her lipgloss with slime."
I couldn't help but snort. "You seem to be waiting for an opportunity to do that with bated breath."
"I am," Chris grinned. "Because it sounds like a fun thing to do."
"Everything's fun for you," Charlene grunted. "Don't even try to pull that out on me, you hear?"
Chris smirked and shook his head. "I won't. Unless you do something."
Charlene grumbled and got out of the car when her college came up. "Pick me up at five later."
We waved at her as she entered the college compound.
"Alright, what's for lunch?" Mom asked as she drove away from the school.