On The Moon

Chapter two- How Can You Not Know?

[Lena]

The sky was a glowing red from the rising sun and the town was just waking up when I stepped outside. I glanced around the street and was met with the usual sights, an empty street, the odd dog walker and the beautiful scene of a sun rise. I put my earphones in, pressed the shuffle button on my music and began running. This was my daily routine, running at dawn. It woke me up and was an excuse to get out of the house.

I went on my everyday course, a circle around my side of town. It usually took forty three minutes. As I approached the last five minute stretch I did something different, I stopped. Ironic or not I'd stopped outside an old park. It used to be full of children all day everyday up until last year when a new park was built across the town. Now it was unloved and uncared for.

The odd car went past, each with its radio blasting, as if to remind us Irish that today was a bad day for Americans.

"Today marks the 10th anniversary of the 9-11"

I turned up my music and Bonfire Heart by James Blunt came through my earphones.

The swing groaned as I sat on it and the one beside it creaked in the wind. A breeze came and blew a newspaper towards me and it hit my leg. I bent down to pick it up and the headline jumped out at me.

"Today America remembers those who died in the 9-11"

We also remember those who were born on this beautiful day.

Underneath the headline was a picture of the twin towers after the crash. Bits of rubble had gotten on the camera lens blurring the picture, but it added to the effect. I threw the paper behind me and dropped my head down closing my eyes. I let the silence consume me. My breathing and heartbeat carried the same pace, joining the creaking of the park.

"You weren't in school all week."

I yelped and shot off of the swing, turning to see who owned the accusing voice. It was Ryan. "What- what are you doing here?" I mean come on it's six in the morning, why would anyone in there right mind be out at this time? "Couldn't sleep. How about you?" He sat on the swing beside the one I had been on. I eyed him suspiciously while contemplating my answer. "Same." I answered shortly. "Ten years since the 9-11 today." He said while looking around the park. "Yeah" I replied, my mind wandering elsewhere.

The sound of laughter surrounded me, as family and friends occupied my house. The smell of fire hit me when I walked into my garden and I looked over to a small fire set up in the middle of the patio. My mum, dad and an aunt and uncle of mine sat around it, each holding some form of alcohol. Smiles took over their faces as they told stories of years ago. On the grass, a friend of my dad's was showing off his fire- breathing tricks as a professional fire breather.

I grabbed a stick and walked over to the fire to roast some marshmallows. My dad looked at me when I sat down and smiled, it reached his eyes as always when he smiles at me.

"Lena?" A hand waved in front of my face snapping me out of my daze. "Sorry, what?" I looked up at Ryan who was smiling. "Nothing, I just asked if you knew anyone in the 9-11." I shook my head. "No, you?"

"No".

"Lena?"

"Yeah?"

"How did you know what to do, when I- you know?"

I looked at my feet and gently moved them so I swung slightly. "I don't know." I answered quietly and looked back up at him.

"You don't know?" He asked in surprise. "How can you not know?"

I sighed. "I knew someone who had the same thing." I could see the confusion written on his face. "So...you've had experience with this sort of thing?"

"You could say that."

"Huh."

I smiled, "What?"

"I've just never met anybody like you."

"Like me?"

"Yeah. Shy and quiet but holding a secret behind all that."

He stood up and started walking away before turning back to me. "Aren't you coming? We have school." I stood up but shook my head. "I'm not going today." His smile dropped. "Why not?" Instead of replying, I turned around and walked the opposite direction. I stopped after a few steps and called back to him. "I'll see you around Ryan."

And then I kept walking.

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So I know this is really confusing at the moment but hopefully it'll make sense after the next few chapters. This chapter was in Lena's P.O.V so next week's will be in Ryan's. Don't forget to vote, comment and fan! I'll see you in two weeks!!

Louise xx