My Moonflower (Luna Story)

🌙🌼🤍Chapter 5: A Fractured Promise🌙🌼🤍

I lay beneath the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through my bedroom window, the Moonflower bracelet gleaming gently on my wrist. As I drifted off to sleep, the day's warmth faded, and memories began to swirl in the quiet of the night.

In the dream when My Sunflower was 5 and I was 6

Elio and I stood in the middle of his parents' backyard, armed with wooden planks, nails, and a bright blue ladder that seemed too flimsy for its purpose. Our eyes shone with determination as we tried to construct a tree house in the large oak tree that had witnessed countless adventures.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" I asked, my voice a mix of excitement and doubt.

Elio grinned, his face smeared with sawdust. "Of course! It's going to be the best tree house ever."

We attempted to balance the planks on the tree's branches, our little ladder wobbling precariously beneath us. With each nail we hammered, the structure tilted more, the wooden planks not quite fitting as planned.

"This doesn't look quite right," I said, peering up at the lopsided assembly.

Elio nodded, trying to keep his balance. "Maybe if we just add a few more nails..."

But the ladder, already unstable, began to sway, making our task even more precarious. As we stepped back to admire our work, it became clear that our tree house resembled more of a crooked sculpture than a proper fort.

"Well, it's definitely unique," I said, laughing as Elio joined in. Our laughter echoed through the backyard, blending with the rustling leaves.

Out of the dream

I awoke to the sound of my alarm's soft melody filling the room. Humming along, I reached over and silenced it with a gentle tap, the remnants of the dream still vivid in my mind. The memory of our failed tree house brought a bittersweet smile to my face. It was a reminder of simpler times, of moments spent in joyful, carefree chaos with Elio.

I went downstairs, where the smell of a fruit salad greeted me.

"Morning, my perfect angel," I smiled at my mama and kissed her on the cheek.

"Where's Dad?" I asked, noticing he wasn't at the table drinking his black coffee.

"He left for work early, sweetheart," she replied. I nodded and sat at the table, eating my fruit salad.

After breakfast, I went upstairs to brush my teeth and get dressed in a star print white t-shirt and light blue skirt.

I went downstairs, put on my black sneakers, and grabbed my crystal and moon mini backpack before heading for the door.

"Bye, my perfect angel, have a perfect day at school," my mom said with a perfect smile. I waved goodbye to her.

At school, I navigated the familiar halls to my locker, retrieving my science textbooks.

"Hi, babe," I turned to see my boyfriend leaning against a locker beside mine. "Need any help with your books?"

I nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Ethan. I'm just grabbing my science textbook."

I looked past my locker at Elio's, but he wasn't there. He hadn't been here for almost two weeks.

"Babe, are you okay? You seem a bit off today."

"Umm, I'm just missing Elio. He hasn't been to school for almost two weeks," I said, closing my locker.

"Are you worried for him?" he asked, looking at me like I shouldn't be concerned.

"Of course I am. He hasn't been at school for almost two weeks!" I yelled.

"Well, you shouldn't be. Instead of being, you know what, never mind. I'll go to class. Love you," he said, walking away.

I hated that my parents forced me to date him. I didn't love him, I didn't even like him, but he was the perfect candidate for my parents to be my perfect boyfriend.

I wanted to break up with him, but I couldn't. I sighed and walked to science class anyway.

The teacher, Mrs. Hawthorne told us she would assign partners for a project on environmental science. We could either create a presentation or build a model demonstrating an aspect of environmental conservation, such as recycling, renewable energy, or ecosystem preservation. Each pair would research their topic, create a visual aid like a poster or a model, and present their findings to the class. This project would encourage teamwork, research skills, and a deeper understanding of environmental issues.

Mrs. Hawthorne assigned me to work with Grace William, and we chose to do a topic about climate change on ocean ecosystems. We decided to create a model about it.

At lunch, I sat at the table with my friends and my boyfriend, who didn't talk to me, which I didn't care about. I ate my salad.

After school, as I walked on the sidewalk, Amy, one of my best friends, caught up to me, her energy as bright and unyielding as ever. Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.

"Luna, you're coming to the party tonight, right?" she asked, her tone leaving little room for argument.

I hesitated. "I'm not sure, Amy. I have a project to work on with Grace..."

"Grace can wait. Come on, you deserve a break, and it's to celebrate Elio. We hope he comes back to school soon," she said. "Everyone will be there, and it's important. You need to be there."

"Okay, I'll come. I do want him to come back," I said with a smile.

As the evening approached, I arrived at the party in a Sun & Moon Print Hooded Dress with black boots. The party was at my boyfriend's house, and the backyard was crowded with people drinking.

I went to the snack and drink table, grabbing a plate and putting vegetables on it since I wasn't allowed to have junk food, especially at a party.

I needed to maintain the perfect weight. I hated that I always had to be perfect.

"Thank you for coming to the party to celebrate Elio finally being gone from our lives. Let's hope he never comes back," Ethan said.

I dropped all my vegetables on the ground when I heard that. I looked around for Amy.

I saw her and ran to her.

"You told me this party was to celebrate hoping Elio would come back," I said, looking at Amy with betrayal in my eyes.

"I only said that so you would come. I don't want Elio back. No one else does," Amy said.

"But I do. I'm leaving this party," I said, tears in my eyes. I felt like I had just betrayed my Sunflower again by going to that party.