Missing The Sun

Chapter XXII: Broken Earth

"Ongsa," Moon said gently, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.

"Yes, Moon?" she replied, trying to regain her composure.

"Who's Earth?"

"What do you mean?"

"The bracelet in your room. It's kinda similar to someone—"

"The bracelet is sold everywhere here in Thailand, Moon. You know, Thais' obsession with astronomy, also the moon and sun, and stuff." Ongsa smiled. "I remember Phi Alpha gave me that, so I wore it. I just like it very much."

.

.

Throughout the journey, Moon found herself enveloped in a heavy silence, reflecting deeply on the fragments of her recent conversation with Ongsa from just a few days ago. There was a nagging feeling within her, a sense that she needed to resolve whatever was troubling her. As she sat there lost in thought, Deer broke the stillness, glancing over with concern.

"Moon, are you okay? Why are you so quiet?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine worry. Vee, sitting in the back seat, turned to face her as well.

"Yes. Are you okay?" she added, her tone softening the atmosphere.

"I'm okay," Moon replied, though her mind was racing. She took a deep breath, preparing to voice what had been weighing on her. "But I do have one question for all of you, and I need you to answer it honestly, okay?"

Suddenly, the air in the car became thick with tension, the kind that makes you hold your breath. For Moon, however, this pause felt like a crucial moment, a chance to finally address the myriad questions swirling in her mind.

"Huh? What do you want to ask?" Vee inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, why do you sound so serious, Moon?" Deer echoed, sensing the gravity of the moment. Moon steeled herself before asking,

"In your high school, is there something called Earth?"

The question hung in the air, and another pause ensued, filled only with the sound of the car's engine roaring down the road.

"I don't think so," Deer finally responded, her voice uncertain.

"Yeah, there's no one named Earth." Vee chimed in, trying to lighten the mood but failing to ease the tension.

"Really?" Moon pressed, her heart racing.

"Yup. Positive." Deer confirmed, her tone a mix of confusion and concern.

Moon fell silent, a slight smile creeping onto her face, even as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Deep down, he sensed that both Deer and Vee were aware of something significant, something they were intentionally keeping from her. She understood that they were protecting Sun, and that realization stung.

"I thought you guys wanted to help me," Moon said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"I need to know. So please tell me." She felt a wave of vulnerability wash over her. "I know that Ongsa and I have been close since she moved to the US, and we've shared so much together, but I can't shake the feeling that Ongsa is hiding something important from me."