The Sea, The Stars, and Luna | ✓ The Watty's 2019

chapter 12

home bruno major

Luna

It was beginning to become evening, maybe around five o'clock. We were almost arriving in Oregon. We were already about 43 hours away from New York and it felt amazing to be free. We passed through so many different places I've never been to before. Illinois, Idaho, Wyoming, it was incredible. Although we didn't really stop to do touristy things in those places, we felt indestructible.

"What do you say I find us a spot to set up camp for the night?" Sebastian asked.

"I say it's a good idea. But can we stop at a payphone? I just want to call my parents and let them know I'm okay."

"But Luna, c'mon does it really matter?"

"Maybe it doesn't matter to you if people think you're okay or not but I left in the dead of night without any warning and I'm very sick. My parents have a right to know that I'm okay," I snapped. I didn't mean to become so ignorant, and I regretted it instantly. I couldn't take it back.

"Okay, sorry, we'll find a payphone," he muttered, turning his face back to the road.

I sighed and turned down the music, looking at him. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"It's fine," he said, not looking at me. I could tell he was obviously still upset with me, and I couldn't blame him. He took out a yellow pill bottle and took two white pills from it.

"What are those for?"

"Anti-depressants. If I'm gonna be away from my therapist I'm gonna need to take my medication. Or else I'll get bad again," he said, dry swallowing the pills.

I wanted to ask him what he meant by bad, yet I knew that right now wasn't a good time to do that. I guess it would just have to be left up to the imagination. "Oh, I see."

We drove on into the evening until we found a payphone on the side of the highway. I opened the car door and I felt Sebastian's hand touch my arm. There was a small spark that danced across the back of my hand and I sucked in an inaudible gasp as butterflies erupted in my stomach.

"Here." He handed me some quarters. "Take all the time you need."

I smiled warmly and took the change from his hand. It was slightly cold outside and I could feel the goosebumps crawl up my arms like a thousand tiny spiders.

With hesitation, I dialled in my parent's number into the phone. It rang a few times before I heard them pick up.

"Hello?" I heard my mother's voice and it made my heart sink.

My breath was shaking. "Mom?" I croaked.

She gasped. "Luna?"

"Yes, mom it's me," I smiled, my hand quivering as I held the phone up to my ear.

"Where are you, why on earth did you leave? What in God's name are you doing?" She fired questions as she sobbed hysterically.

"Mom I needed to get out of there. You and dad both thought I should spend my dying days in a hospital bed and be painless but I wanted to spend my days doing something that makes me happy. I won't be long, I'll be home soon."

"Luna where are you?" She blubbered.

"I'm in Oregon," I said timidly.

"Why on earth are you in Oregon? How did you even get there?" She sounded angry.

"I met a boy in the mental hospital and we became friends. He hated the hospital too. Don't worry we have a safe car and clothes and food and all his savings. He can drive, he's a very good driver. Mom, I'll be okay. I have to do this."

"You're driving across the country with a mental patient?" She screamed into the phone.

"He isn't mental. Everything is okay mom," I chuckled.

"God, Luna you gave me and your father a heart attack."

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I'll be back soon."

"Did you even take any medication Luna?"

"No, I couldn't find where the nurses had it."

"Luna, are you sure this is what you want to do? Because your father and I aren't going to drive all the way to Oregon to come and get you so you better be sure you know what you're doing." Her voice was stern. I could tell my mom wanted me back at the hospital right that second, but it was out of her control. And even though she said she wouldn't drive to Oregon, I knew if I needed her, she'd be here in a heartbeat.

"Mom, I'm sure this is what I want to do. What I've wanted to do my whole life. I'll be okay, and I'll be home soon. If I feel sick Sebastian will take me to the closest hospital."

She sighed, "I just want you to be safe."

"I will be safe. I promise I'll be safe," I said, almost out of breath.

"Okay. I love you, Luna. Very much." She sounded terrified, I could hear it in her voice.

"I love you more. Tell dad I love him too and that I'm okay. And maybe tell the hospital that Sebastian is okay too, and he has his medication," I said.

"I'll be sure to do that. Thank you for calling baby girl," she sniffled, a little calmer than before.

"Goodbye, momma." I hung up the phone, and I just realized the little tears that were pouring from my face. I wiped them off with the back of my hand and hopped back in the car.

"How did that go?" I was greeted with Sebastian's soothing voice and his hand on my arm.

"Well, she isn't forcing me to come home. I never thought in my life she would let me do something like this," I said.

"Well, it's good she is letting you. That takes some stress off of your shoulders," he said.

"Yeah, you're right. Now, where are we going next?"

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a/n: I missed y'all. Also, thank you for 400 reads ???? THATS INSANE I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. Thanks to every person who votes, comments and adds this story to their reading lists it's beyond amazing. i hope you're enjoying.