My Sunflower(Elio Story)

💛🌻Chapter 10: Breaking the Chains💛🌻

Trigger Warning⚠️: This chapter contains of themes of emotional abuse, bullying, and controlling behavior, which may be distressing to some reader. Please proceed with caution.

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, stirring me from the warmth of sleep. The scent of lavender lingered in the air, a calming reminder of where I was-Luna's guest room. I shifted slightly, feeling the dull ache in my back, but the memory of last night's pain was softened by the comforting thought of my Moonflower.

A gentle knock on the door was followed by Luna's voice, melodic and soothing, "Good morning, My Sunflower." She entered, a tray balanced in her hands, offering a plate of chocolate chip pancakes with a sunny-side-up egg and hashbrowns. The steam from a mug of tea curled upward, mingling with the aroma of breakfast.

"Morning, My Moonflower," I croaked, my voice rough from the emotions of the previous night.

Luna handed me the tray, her smile tender. "Chamomile tea," she noted as I took the mug with a nod.

I glanced at the tray, then back at her. "Where's your plate?"

A shadow crossed her expression as she replied, "I'm not allowed to have that kind of breakfast. I have to maintain my... perfect weight." Her voice trailed off as she averted her gaze. "I already had yogurt, so I'm fine."

Without hesitation, I broke off a piece of pancake and extended it toward her. "My Moonflower, you don't have to be perfect around me."

Her eyes flickered with uncertainty before she accepted the bite. The moment the gooey chocolate chip melted on her tongue, a genuine smile broke across her face, her worries forgotten. "Mmmm," she hummed, savoring the taste, and eagerly reached for another piece.

"Good, huh?" I teased, taking a bite of my own pancake.

She nodded, her earlier restraint dissolving as she stole more bites from my plate. Watching her, I felt a quiet joy. This was the Luna I cherished-the one who didn't feel the need to be perfect, the one who was just Luna, my Moonflower.

But beneath the peaceful moment, a gnawing anxiety twisted in my stomach. School loomed ahead, and with it, the inevitable confrontation with Ethan. The memory of his cruel smirk made my skin crawl.

"I'm racing you downstairs," Luna suddenly announced, mischief dancing in her eyes as she leaped from the bed.

"You're on!" I responded, quickly setting down the tray and standing beside her, waiting for her signal.

"On three. One, two -" She bolted out the door before I could react.

"Hey, no fair! My Moonflower, get back here!" I laughed, chasing after her.

"Three!" she called back, already halfway down the stairs.

She reached the bottom first, triumphant, but I caught up and grabbed her from behind, pulling her into a playful tickle.

"You little cheater," I teased as she wriggled in my arms, laughter spilling from her lips.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" she gasped between giggles. "Can you stop tickling me, My Sunflower?" She turned her head to meet my gaze, her light blue eyes soft and pleading, reminiscent of a moonlit sky. I could never resist those eyes.

"Fine," I sighed, letting go with a pout. "But you really need to stop using those eyes against me."

"What eyes?" she teased, her laughter still bubbling up.

"Luna Jayanti Foster, go to school!" Mrs. Foster's stern voice interrupted our banter, making Luna jump.

She quickly grabbed her bag and darted out the door in a swirl of blue fabric and white flats. Mrs. Foster's disapproving gaze followed me as I trailed after Luna, my own outfit, a contrast of black-a sweater, jeans, and sneakers.

As we walked to school, Luna slipped her hand into mine, her grip reassuring. "I'm going to take care of things with Ethan today. You don't have to worry."

I nodded, the words I wanted to say tangling in my throat. "Thank you, Luna. I..." My voice faltered as she looked at my wrist, noticing the Sunflower bracelet she made for me when we were kids.

"You're still wearing it," she murmured, her eyes lighting up with joy. "I made this for you when you were five, and I had just turned six."

"Of course I am. I'm your Sunflower, and you're my Moonflower," I said, glancing at her wrist where she wore her matching bracelet.

Her smile was soft, full of unspoken memories. "Yeah, I am."

We arrived at school, and the tension in my chest tightened. Ethan was by his locker, flanked by his friends, his smirk already making my stomach churn. But Luna didn't hesitate. She marched straight up to him, her face set in determination.

"Ethan," she said, her voice steady but edged with steel. "We need to talk."

He looked up, the smugness on his face fading as he noticed her serious expression. "What about, babe?"

"Don't you dare 'babe' me," she snapped. "We're done."

Ethan's face flushed with anger as his eyes darted to me. "You're breaking up with me over that loser? Are you kidding?"

Luna's voice didn't waver. "I should have done this a long time ago. I never wanted to be with you. I don't love you, I don't even like you." Her words cut through the air like a knife. "I saw the messages after what you did at the party-pouring your drink on my Sunflower's head, trying to kick him, restraining me so I couldn't stop you, and then encouraging everyone to tell him to kill himself on the school chat. I can't be with someone who treats someone I care about like that."

She turned to walk away, but Ethan grabbed her arm roughly. "You're not breaking up with me. I'm your perfect boyfriend, the one your parents picked for you. You're staying in this relationship whether you like it or not."

Before she could respond, I stepped forward, prying his hand off her arm. My eyes met hers, silently urging her to step behind me, which she did.

"Luna doesn't need a boyfriend like you," I said, my voice low but firm. "Her parents might think you're perfect, but I see who you really are-a cruel, heartless person. Luna doesn't have to be perfect, and that includes not staying with someone she doesn't want to be with. She doesn't belong to you. She's her own person."

Ethan's eyes darkened as he stepped closer, his anger barely contained. "Stay out of this, loser."

"Come on, My Moonflower," I said softly, reaching for Luna's hand.

Ethan lunged, trying to grab her again, but I reacted without thinking, shoving him hard against the wall. "She's done with you. It's over."

For a moment, Ethan looked like he might fight back, but then the realization that he had lost set in. He scowled, muttering under his breath as he stalked away.

I turned to Luna, searching her face. "Are you okay, my Moonflower?"

She stared at me, her eyes wide with shock. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just... surprised you -"

"I did it for you," I said simply, wrapping my arms around her, holding her close.

"Thank you, My Sunflower," she whispered, her voice muffled against my chest.

We walked to science class together, where. Grace was already waiting, her hands busy sculpting the coral reef model we were working on. The vibrant colors of the healthy side of the reef contrasted sharply with the bleached, lifeless one, a powerful reminder of the effects of ocean acidification.

Luna focused on writing the description of the model, her pen moving swiftly across the page. I could see the passion in her eyes as she wrote about the importance of protecting these ecosystems, the urgency clear in her words.

At lunch, Luna and I sat together in my usual spot, the once lonely corner now filled with the warmth of her presence. We talked, laughed, and for a moment, the weight of the world lifted.

After school, Luna walked me to my father house, her hand squeezing mine in silent support. I hugged her tightly before entering my father's house, the silence inside oppressive. My father was probably at the bar, getting high. I trudged upstairs to my room, collapsed onto my bed, and opened my sketchbook, letting the pencil in my hand take over as I tried to drown out the chaos of the day.