My Moonflower (Luna Story)

🌙🌼🤍Chapter 7: Rekindling Bonds🌙🌼🤍

I woke to the soft buzz of my alarm, the sound pulling me gently from sleep. With a sleepy smile, I reached over and silenced it, then headed downstairs. The warm, inviting smell of Greek yogurt with berries and nuts filled the air.

"Good morning, my perfect angel," Mama greeted me, her eyes twinkling. I kissed her cheek and hugged Dad.

"Morning, my Jay," Dad said, his voice warm. He put down his black coffee and pulled me into a hug.

"I thought you had left for work already," I started to say, but Dad interrupted, his hold tightening slightly.

"I have the day off, my Jay, but you still need to eat your breakfast and head to school," he said, his tone playful. I kissed his cheek and sat down to eat.

After breakfast, I brushed my teeth and took a shower. I dressed in my white Alice fit-and-flare dress, adding a light blue headband. Downstairs, I slipped on my black flats.

"Bye, Mom and Dad," I called out, waving.

"Bye, my perfect angel, have a perfect day," Mama said, hugging me tightly. Dad joined the hug, and I kissed them both on the cheeks before stepping out the door.

At Ruby Diamond High, I navigated the familiar halls, my eyes searching for My Sunflower. I spotted him at his locker, and his back turned to me. My heart leaped with excitement.

"My sunflower," I called, startling him. He turned a math textbook in his hands but didn't respond. He simply walked away, heading to class. I sighed and went to my locker to grab my science textbook.

In Mrs. Hawthorne's class, I sat beside Grace Williams. "Hi, Grace," I greeted her. She handed me a sheet of paper with a detailed drawing.

"I drew what our model is going to look like. Do you like it?" she asked, her cheeks flushing pink. Her drawing showed a thriving coral reef on one side, teeming with marine life, and a bleached, lifeless reef on the other, depicting an acidified ecosystem.

"I marveled at the details. 'Grace, you're very talented,' I said. Grace smiled shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Thank you, Luna," she replied softly. "But I'm not as talented as Elio Goldendock. He sits next to me in art class, and his drawings are amazing." Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

"He's really something special," she added. "I wish I could draw like him. I don't know why everyone thinks he's a loser and wants him to kill himself," she whispered so quietly I barely heard it. "But I'm just happy if my work helps with our project."

The PA system crackled to life. "Students from Math, Science, English, Writing, History, and Technology/Computer Science, please come to the hallway." I joined my classmates in the hallway, where Principal Rubina was walking out of the office with My Sunflower.

"If you want to volunteer to tutor Elio and help him catch up on his work, raise your hand," she announced.

I raised my hand. "I'll help him," I said, my voice steady.

"That's great, Luna. You're a top student in all your classes, so I trust you to help Elio catch up," Principal Rubina said.

*Lunchtime*

I grabbed my strawberry spinach salad from the cafeteria and noticed My Sunflower sitting alone. I approached him with a smile.

He forced a smile back as we ate in silence.

After school, I caught up to him. "Meet me at my house," I urged. "We need to talk." He nodded, looking too exhausted to argue.

At home, Mama greeted me. "Hi, my perfect angel. How was school?"

"Perfect," I said, heading upstairs. I grabbed my favorite book, *The Night Circus* by Erin Morgenstern, and waited for My Sunflower.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I opened it to find Elio, looking weary.

"Hey," he said, his voice strained. "Sorry I'm late."

"That's okay, My Sunflower. Are you okay? You look tired," I asked, concern in my voice.

"Just a rough day," he replied casually. "Let's get started on the tutoring."

"Luna, who's at the door?" Mama called out.

"Hi, Mrs. Foster," Elio greeted her with another forced smile.

"Elio, it's been a long time. How have you been?" Mama asked.

"Fine. How have you been?" he replied, his smile still strained.

"Perfect," Mama said.

"Mama, if you don't mind, I'm taking Elio to my room to tutor him," I said. Mama nodded, and I led My Sunflower upstairs.

In my room, Elio glanced around while I gathered textbooks and assignments. I patted a spot on my bed for him to sit.

"Can we talk before I start tutoring you?" I asked, making eye contact. He nodded.

"I'm sorry for not telling you about your mom leaving when you were five. She asked me to keep it a secret, but that's no excuse. I wanted to protect your feelings. I miss you, My Sunflower," I confessed.

"I forgive you, but before we become friends again, I need to know why you showed up at the celebration party," he asked.

"Amy forced me to go. I wasn't happy about celebrating your absence," I explained.

"Friends?" he extended his arm for a hug.

"Friends," I said, hugging him with a big smile. "I miss you, my Sunflower."

"I miss you too, My Moonflower," he replied, his smile finally genuine.