Shadows of You

Chapter 3

Luna Wrens POV

It had been a week since the dinner with the Wellington's, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The black Porsche hadn't appeared again—not that I'd admit how often I'd glanced over my shoulder to check.

My days had returned to their usual rhythm: classes, study sessions, and evenings spent dodging my mother's passive-aggressive remarks. But at night, when the world grew quiet, my mind replayed the strange moments of the past week.

Julian's smile lingered in my thoughts, as did the text from the unknown number. I hadn't responded, and no more messages had followed, but the unease it sparked hadn't faded.

This morning, though, was different.

I stood in front of my mirror, tugging on my uniform blazer and brushing a stray lock of hair out of my face. There was a faint knock at the door before it opened, my mother stepping in without waiting for an invitation.

"You're late," my mother said, her tone sharp but not unkind. "I wouldn't want you making a bad impression."

"Of course," I muttered, straightening the cuffs of my blazer. I kept my tone neutral, unwilling to spark another lecture.

My mother lingered by the door, studying me. "You've seemed distracted this week," she said, a rare note of concern creeping through her voice. "Is something going on at school?"

I paused, my hand frozen mid-adjustment. "No, nothing," I said quickly. "I'm fine."

My mother didn't look convinced but didn't press further. Instead, she gave a small nod. "Good. You can't afford to lose focus right now."

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs, ready to face another day— and whatever might come with it.

****

At school, I sat at my usual desk in the back corner of class, my textbook opened but untouched. I noodled absentmindedly in the margins of my notebook when grace dropped into the set beside me with an exaggerated sigh.

"Tell me we're ditching this place early today," Grace said, twirling a strand of her golden hair. She had a way of taking up all the air in the room, her bold, carefree attitude the perfect contrast to my quiet reserve.

I smiled faintly. "Some of us actually want to graduate, you know."

"Boring," Grace shot back, though her teasing was laced with affection. "Anyways, you're coming with me to Luke's party tonight. No excuses."

My stomach flipped. "You know I can't," I said quickly. "My parents would—"

"Lose their minds, I know," Grace interrupted, rolling her eyes. "But, Luna, come on. When's the last time you did anything remotely fun?"

I hesitated. Grace wasn't wrong—my life was a carefully choreographed dance, every step dictated by my parents' expectations. But parties weren't my thing, especially not ones that might get me in trouble.

"I'll think about it," I said finally, though we both knew it wasn't a real answer.

"You're impossible," Grace groaned, But she let it drop, turning her attention back to her phone. Just as Mrs. Martin entered the classroom.

"Alright, everyone, settle down," Mrs. Martin said, setting a thick pile of papers on her desk, with a thud. Her no-nonsense tone cut through the remaining whispers, and students hurried to take their seats. "Let's pick up where we left off. Open your books to chapter seven."