My Moonflower (Luna Story)

🌙🌼🤍Prologue🌙🌼🤍

I walked briskly to my best friend's house, my heart racing with excitement. Elio had been my only friend since his family moved to the wealthy Inshire Emerald City, despite whispers about their lack of money.

Elio's shy demeanor melted away when we met. His gentle nature and infectious laughter made our friendship bloom effortlessly.

As I reached Elio's house, I ran up the steps and knocked eagerly. The door opened to reveal Mrs. Goldendock, her wavy golden blonde hair catching the sunlight. Her sea-green eyes, usually bright, were clouded with sadness.

"Hi, Mrs. Goldendock," I said, smiling up at her.

"Oh, hi, Luna. Are you here to walk Elio to school?" she asked, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

I nodded, but my smile faltered. "What's wrong, Mrs. Goldendock?"

She hesitated, then crouched down to my level, her voice barely above a whisper. "If I tell you, you can't tell Elio, okay?"

I nodded again, a knot forming in my stomach. "Okay."

"I'm going to leave Victor, and I won't get custody of Elio. I don't want to leave him with his dad, but I have no choice," she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes.

My heart ached for Elio, and tears welled up in my own eyes. "Mom, who's at the door?" Elio's sweet voice called from inside. I quickly wiped my tears away.

"Luna!" Elio's eyes lit up when he saw me, but his smile faded when he noticed my tear-streaked face. "My Moonflower, what's wrong?"

I forced a smile, my heart swelling at the nickname he had given me. "Nothing's wrong, My Sunflower. I'm just happy to see you."

"Then why are you crying?" he asked, concern etching his features.

"They're happy tears. I'm just so happy to see you. Let's go to school," I said, taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Um, okay," Elio said, waving goodbye to his mom as we walked to school.

*After school*

We burst out of the school doors, laughter bubbling between us. "Do you want to play hide and seek while we wait for our parents?" Elio suggested.

I nodded eagerly. "I'll be the seeker," he said, closing his hazel eyes with grey flecks.

I darted behind the blue slides, stifling my giggles as I heard his sneakers squeak on the dewy grass. Peeking out, I saw him approaching, his triumphant shout echoing as he dashed toward me. I burst out of my hiding spot, tagging him with a gleeful laugh.

"Seriously, my Moonflower?" Elio shook his head but smiled. "You're the seeker now."

I nodded, closing my eyes and counting aloud. "Ten!" I shouted, opening my eyes and scanning the playground. I spotted Elio's golden hair among the branches and shouted with delight.

"Okay, you found me," he said, stepping out with a smile. But then his smile vanished as a familiar car drove past.

"That's my mom's car. Where is she going?" he asked, his face falling.

Before I could answer, a red Jeep Wrangler honked. "That's my Auntie Evelyn's car. Why is she picking me up?" Elio walked up to the car, confusion written all over his face.

"Auntie Evelyn, why are you picking me up? Why did I see my mom's car drive past? What's going on?" His voice trembled, and I felt my heart break for him.

Auntie Evelyn glanced at me, her eyes knowing. "Tell him," she said softly.

Elio turned to me, his eyes wide with betrayal. "My Sunflower, I can explain," I began, but his aunt interrupted.

"Your mom left," she said bluntly.

Elio's eyes filled with tears. He pushed me away as I tried to hug him. "You knew? How long did you know?" he yelled, his voice cracking.

"I knew since this morning, but I can explain," I said desperately.

"No, I don't want to hear it! You knew and didn't tell me! I'm your best friend, your only one, and you didn't tell me!" His words cut deep as he ran, crying, into his aunt's car. The door slammed shut, and they drove away, leaving me standing there with a shattered heart.