Chapter 26- Embracing the Unseen and Unspoken

4 2 0
                                    

Luna's POV

The alarm blared through the room, but i barely flinched. A slow smile crept across my lips as i stretched lazily, feeling the soreness in her limbs. Today was just another day, another chance to show the world what i was made of. i silenced the alarm with a decisive tap, rolling out of bed with a confidence that came from deep within.

i stretched as i slipped out of bed, my feet hitting the cool floor with a sense of purpose. i headed to the bathroom, the morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a soft glow around me. The shower's warm water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of sleep and any lingering doubts. Wrapping myself in a towel, i stood in front of the mirror, braiding my damp hair with practiced ease, each twist and turn a grounding ritual. With my hair neatly braided, i moved to my closet, pulling out my favorite pair of ripped jeans and a burgundy top with crisscross straps, a perfect balance of comfort and confidence. Slipping on my white sneakers, i took a final glance in the mirror, feeling ready to face whatever the day had in store for me.

i picked up my phone and quickly dialed Sara's number, a smile forming as i imagined my friend's excitement. "Hey, Sara! How about we go shopping today? I need to find something for tonight's dinner." As expected, Sara's enthusiastic "Yes!" came almost instantly. Energized by Sara response, i then called Renee and Dakota, inviting them along. To my delight, they were both eager to join. The four of them met up at the mall, and the energy was infectious as they wandered through the stores. Sara's bubbly personality instantly clicked with Dakota's sharp wit and Renee's laid-back charm, making it feel like they had been friends forever. The afternoon flew by as they tried on outfits, laughed, and shared stories, our bond growing stronger with each passing moment. By the time we left the mall, each of us had found something special for the dinner, and i couldn't help but feel a warmth in my heart, grateful for the friends surrounding me.

As i led the girls up the winding path to my house, she could sense Renee and Dakota curiosity growing. When they finally reached the front door, i opened it with a small, proud smile. The girls stepped inside, and their reactions were instant—eyes widening in surprise and awe. The house was more than just a home; it was a beautiful blend of elegance and warmth, with high ceilings, large windows that let in natural light, and carefully chosen decor that made the space feel both luxurious and inviting. The soft colors and tasteful furniture created a serene atmosphere, while small, personal touches made it clear that this was my sanctuary. Dakota, and Renee exchanged impressed glances, and i couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This was my space, my safe haven, and i was glad to share it with my new friends.

As sara and i got ready for the dinner, the atmosphere in my room was filled with excitement. I went to take a quick shower but as the water ran over my hair, i watched in horror as the dye that had masked my natural color started to fade away, revealing the platinum blonde i had been hiding. i stared at myself in the mirror, momentarily stunned, but then decided to embrace it. I slipped into a sleek black dress, feeling the soft fabric hug my curves perfectly. Sara, in her white jeans and a simple black crop top, was already applying makeup. I returned to the room where Sara was finishing up, unaware of my little hair disaster. Meanwhile, Renee and Dakota were sprawled on the couch in the living room, casually snacking and watching TV, completely at ease in the warm ambiance of my home. i took a deep breath, accepting the change with a newfound confidence, ready to face whatever the evening had in store even if im a little scared.

When I walked into the living room, their jaws practically hit the floor. Dakota shot up from the couch, her eyes zeroing in on my hair. "I love it! You didn't tell me you were thinking of changing your hair. Why didn't you ask me to do it?" she exclaimed. I was about to explain what had happened when Renee chimed in, turning to her sister. "Dakota, why can't my hair look like that?" she asked, her voice full of envy. I couldn't help but burst into laughter, but then Dakota rolled her eyes at Renee and said, "Don't be ridiculous, Renee. I already do an amazing job on your hair. Seriously, why didn't you let me do it? I offered!" My laughter faded, and I looked down, bracing myself. Here goes everything.

I smiled a little and said, "Actually, you guys are wrong. This is my natural hair. I didn't know it would come out, or I would've had Dakota fix it before tonight. You're the only ones who've ever seen it." Dakota crossed her arms over her chest and said, "Why would you hide such perfect hair? Seriously, it's amazing!" I knew she was right, but I had my reasons, so I explained further, "You guys know I've been hiding from people all my life. Don't you think that with my snow-white and black hair and my purple eyes, no one's going to forget me? I'm memorable. Come on, would you forget someone who looks like me? That's why I hide it."

They all looked at me, clearly deep in thought, when Dakota suddenly smiled and said, "This has nothing to do with it, but Theo is totally hooked on you." I smiled back at her, but then Sara chimed in, "I thought I was nervous about tonight, but you've got me beat. Everyone's going to be looking at you." Great, exactly what I didn't want. I glanced back at Dakota and asked, "Dakota, can you fix this?" Renee looked at me, surprised, and said, "Are you sure? I would leave it—you're so beautiful." I smiled at her and nodded, but inside, I really wanted to hide this. I wanted to leave the past where it belonged, but if people saw me with this hair color, word would spread, and my past might come back to haunt me. Dakota snapped me out of my thoughts when she looked at me and said, "1. I will never touch your hair again! 2. There's no time. 3. What happened to the girl who said she was going to be a badass and show everyone the real you?"

That's the problem—I don't want people to see the real me because who knows what they'll do. I don't want anyone to leave. I love everyone in my life now, and I'm terrified of messing that up. Then Renee said, "I'm with Dakota on this." I looked at Sara, and she gave me a small, reassuring smile, saying, "I'm with them too." It hit me then—I was scared, more than I realized. I whispered it under my breath, but they heard me, "Are you sure? What if they come for me?" Even though I have an army ready, I'm not prepared to face the past just yet.

Dakota looked a little pissed and said, "Um, have you met us? Plus, this time, you're not alone—you have an army on your side. And now that you and my brother are finally a couple, you have even more protection with the mafia. Do you really think he'd let anyone take his heart away? No way. He just found you; why would he ever want to lose you?" I didn't want to admit it, but she was right. Even though she doesn't know about my own army, I know Theo would protect me. I never want to lose him. So, with a smile, I said, "I guess there's only one thing to do." Renee looked at me, confused, and asked, "Which is?" I grinned and said, "For all of us to get out of the house and go." We all laughed and started walking down the stairs toward the door. As we did, Sara slipped her phone into her purse and said, "I told Elijah we're coming—I'm so nervous!"

I turned to my best friend and said, "Don't worry, you've got us. We stick together no matter what. Plus, Elijah loves you, and I'm sure his parents will too." With that, we headed to Dakota's car—I wasn't in the mood to drive, and since she's been to his place before, we didn't need to rely on GPS. As we started our drive, I couldn't help but admit to myself that I was feeling a little nervous too.

It All Started With The KidnappingWhere stories live. Discover now