Discovering the Moonlight

1

Chapter 1

“Can you believe tomorrow is the beginning of our senior year.” Lydia squealed in my ear. She was bouncing up and down. “I don’t know about you Claire, but I can’t wait! We are starting the last year of our old lives!” She slung her arm around my waist pulling me in for a hug.

 “Yea, I can’t wait.” I said sarcastically pulling away from my friend’s hold. Lydia gave me a small frown.

“Please tell me you’re not going to have this attitude all year! You know we’re all going to shoot for the same college.” Lydia stopped me dead in our tracks. “Look, turn your frowny face upside down little lady.” She reached over and playfully socked my shoulder.

Lydia always had a way of making things lighter than they were. She always was the easiest going of our group and had the biggest heart around.

 We had been walking for what felt like hours around the lake that we often visited. The ducks out chasing quietly behind us in the hopes of being fed and turtles plopping in and out of the dark water. The warm breeze felt nice against our exposed skin. The sun was out high over our heads.

“Jesus, do you think it could get any hotter?” A familiar voice yelled out behind us. Eric came running up to us in order to catch our brisk walk. “How are my two favorite ladies this day?” Erick jumped in between us and through his arms over both of our shoulders. “It’s so good to be back you guys! So what are you ladies chatting about?”

“Oh, ya know. How Claire is the most depressing person in the world and so on.” Lydia rolling her eyes at me as she responded to Erick.

Erick stopped us and looked my way. “Not this crap again. Claire you know we love you, but damn you need to get over this and put your big girl panties on. We are seniors this year; were gonna have as much fun as possible!” He grabbed my shoulders and began to shake me.

“Yea, I guess your right guys. We have a whole year together. We need to make the best of it.” My voice came out somewhat strong. I reached up and wrapped my arms tightly around Erick and said, “Just promise me we will always stay friends!”

Erick hugged me back and quickly let go. “See, this is why you guys are cramping my style. You’re turning me over to the girl side!” Erick sniffled and wiped invisible tears away.

“So are you guys ready to see who we get as teachers?” I said as I tried to change the subject. Lydia smiled at me and nodded.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I looked down at my cell phone and seen that Dad was calling me.                                                                                                         “Guys I gotta take this,” I said as I walked off so they couldn’t hear my conversation.                                                                            “Hey dad, what’s up?” My voice coming out smoothly. My mood had now changed to that one of a happier one.

“Hey baby girl, where are you right now?” Dad’s voice came out rushed.

“I’m at the lake with Lydia and Erick. Why, is something wrong?” His tone had scared me. Dad usually never called me. He has been so busy with work lately that he rarely stops to sleep now days.

“Get home now. Tell your friends to get to their houses as well.” He yelled into the receiver. Dad never yelled at me so whatever had his blood pressure up was not good.

“Did I do something wrong dad?' My voice pleading with him. I was really scared now, dad never got angry with anyone.

His name was Harold Bryant; he was a police officer with the local branch. My dad had been with the force for 23 years now and has quickly gained popularity around town. He is the lead deputy and is usually the first one to a crime.

I could hear his frustration through the receiver of the phone. “Just get home Claire. It’s dangerous outside right now.” I heard muffled noise in the background and his voice lowered to where I couldn’t understand him. After a few moments of him saying nothing he finally said, “I’m sorry for yelling, but there is something’s going on around here and I just need you to get your butt home now. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you.” His voice holding a hint of pain.

“Alright dad, I will get home, but I want to know what’s going on when you get back.” He finally agreed and hung up the phone.

“What’s going on Claire?” Erick asked as he walked over and grabbed my shoulder.

“I don’t know, but dad sounded serious. I think we should all get home.” I said as I stuffed my cell phone back into my shorts pocket. We all looked at each other in agreement and went our separate ways.

*******

The walk home normally took about 20 minutes depending on how quickly I was walking, but today I wasn’t planning on taking a leisurely stroll back. The sidewalks were all bare and no children were out enjoying their last days of freedom before school in the morning.

The wind had picked up its pace and was blowing the scattered leaves out into the road. My house was just a few blocks away and I was for sure ready to run if I needed too. The hairs on my arms started to stick straight up on their ends. “Why did it get so damn cold?” I whispered quietly to myself.

A twig snapped somewhere off behind me and I nearly screamed. Thanks dad for scaring me to death now. I turned back around to head back off in the direction of my house when I nearly ran smack dab into a man.

“Oh, I am really sorry. I guess I wasn’t looking where I was going.” My voice came out in a ragged tone. I hope he couldn’t notice how freaked I was acting.

The man that looked back at me was someone I had never met before. I had lived in this town my whole life, so everyone practically knew everyone.  He was wearing a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of tan khakis. He was unbelievably handsome, a little older but no more than four or five years.

He smiled a large smile and said, “No problem, actually I think I need to look where I am going next time.” He ran a hand through his black hair and stuck the other one out to me. “The name is Wyatt Anderson.”

I grabbed his hand lightly, “Mine is Claire Bryant.” His handshake was firm yet soft. “Well Wyatt, I really need to get home. It was really nice meeting you.” I let his hand go and gave a small wave. I left him there smiling and walked the rest of the way home.

********

“Lydia, I swear! He was so hot.” My voice held a high shrill. I lazily rolled out of my chair and landed in the floor. The telephone cord now wrapped securely around my left leg.

“You lucky ho! Maybe he goes to our school!” Lydia yelled through the receiver. She was hanging on to every word that came out of my mouth.

“I don’t think so; he looked a little older than us.” My voice had turned to that of a sad girl. “Look, I gotta go. I need to go to bed early tonight so I get enough sleep.” I couldn’t believe tomorrow was class, this meant our summer was officially over.

“Ok, love ya! See ya at school.” Her chipper voice booming through the phone.

We both hung up instantly. 

Claire-------------------------------------------->