8th Period

9

- time skip 3 months -

So, after 3 months of not leaving the house or hanging out with my friends, I am finally ungrounded. My mom doesn't trust me but my dad still does, he wasn't really mad in the first place which was odd. Ryan has been staying over secretly when my parents are gone but we haven't done anything sexual, I still want to wait because this could just be a fling and I don't want to put myself out there like that even though I may want to. I've learned a lot about him over these past months; like how he played almost every sport in high school except track, how he's met some famous people, and more deeper things about how he struggled with depression most of his life and sometimes struggles with it now. We've really gotten to know each other, he now knows things that Hazel and Luna didn't know. We still haven't said I love you but again I want to wait.

It is December and we are just starting Christmas break. I really needed a vacation. My parents were going to host a big dinner like we always do and our family could come together and be happy. Hazel, Luna, and I are going to get an Airbnb on the 30th until the 2nd. We are all pitching in money because it isn't cheap. Dennis and Carson are coming and they told me to invite someone I liked but I didn't know who because Ryan definitely can't come. I thought about inviting Ethan but they would all definitely take it the wrong way and we would have to share a bed. But I had time to think about it as it was only the 23rd.

I was going to Hazel's house tonight and I was packing my bag. I had to go pick up Luna because she doesn't have a car and her parents won't take her anywhere or let her drive. Lately her parents have been really hostile towards her and she's been really down. Today hopefully would cheer her up. When I was done packing my bag I went to the kitchen and grabbed a water then went to my car.

When I arrived to Luna's I went up to her porch, passing the dead rose bushes. I didn't want to bring her house key just because her parents were home and I felt like that was rude in a way. As I stepped up to the door I heard screaming. It sounded like William, Luna's father. I couldn't really hear what they were saying but I knew it wasn't good. I soon heard the yelling come closer and before I knew it Luna opened the door, looking at me awkwardly with a fake smile. She slammed the door behind her and walked down the step, tripping on the last one. When we got in the car it was silent, only the radio that was turned down just about all the way.

"So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?" I said calmly looking towards her.
"I will when we get to Hazel's so I don't have to tell the story twice.
"Okay, are you okay." I asked pulling out of the driveway.
"I'm never okay." She responded with no emotion.

That night after we all ate we went downstairs to her room and sat down on the carpeted floor. Luna took a deep breath and started to speak.

"So some stuff has been going on since before the school year started and I've just neglected to tell you guys because I didn't want to make a big deal out of it but things have gotten worse. Remember when my mom walked in on Carson and I." We both nodded. "Well that night Carson left and I guess my mom told my dad or my dad found out, I don't really know why but my dad hit me that night."