La Luna | JJ Maybank

One

(a quick a/n from the future- yes i promise it does get better)

~

Luna Andrew was, right now, the very definition of bored. Her plane still had perhaps an hour or so before it landed in North Carolina, and with nothing to do but gaze out the window she was beginning to get restless. Of course she had her phone, but it was on 25% battery and she knew she needed to save it for her arrival in the outer banks so she could actually contact her family. The book she had packed in her carry on had remained in her carry on, which unfortunately was stored over head and on the opposite side of the isle. The idea of waking up the complete stranger next to her and asking him to move so she could reach it was terrifying- even the thought of it giving her nerves. Luna decided she would rather swim in a sea of sharks then ask her seat neighbor for help. Perhaps she herself could try sleep, it wasn't as though she'd be getting much sleep later anyway.

Luna's cousin went by the name of Topper. Their mothers were sisters, but despite drifting apart themselves they had always tried to make sure their children had time to see each other. Or at least that's what her dad told her.

Luna's mum passed when she was 13, and although that was three years ago now, it felt like only yesterday. Her mum had always been the nicer of her parents, the kinder, more loving one; the one who would ask her about school and her friends and her thoughts. Her relationship with her dad wasn't non-existent, but then again the existence of it wasn't that clear. This summer he had sent her to stay with her Aunt to reconnect with her mom's side of the family and Topper- Luna knew it was just to get her out of the house for the summer so he wouldn't have to deal with her not being at school.

It was fine though. She was fine. She liked the Outer Banks: it was hot and scenic and full of hot surfer dudes. Plus she got to see Sarah again. They had met when very little at one of Topper's birthday parties when she still lived in North Carolina. Both girls found themselves stealing extra cake and had been friends ever since. Obviously when Luna moved to New York they weren't able to see each other as often, but facetime and snapchat kept them close.

A soft snore made the girl jump in her chair slightly, but it was only the man next to her. She grimaced at the slight drool rolling down from his open mouth and shifted away from him in attempt to distance herself from both the man and his drool. The people you see on planes really were just a different breed. This last hour was gonna be a drag.

**

"Heyy Cynthia! Thank you so much for letting me stay this summer." Luna smiled as she hugged her aunt. She had sort of expected her to pick the teenager up from the airport but the taxi had been nice too.

"It's okay darling don't worry about it, it's always nice having you here." The older lady handed some money to the taxi driver, who getting out the car to remove Luna's bags from the trunk seemed to be a bit shocked at the house he had just pulled up to. He accepted nevertheless, still with his mouth slightly agape and eyes wide (a hint of envy shining). The girl herself couldn't deny how nice the house in front of her was.

"Thank you," Luna muttered to the man who handed her her suitcase before driving away once again. "It's always so lovely here. I love what you've done with the garden."

Littered across the perfectly cut grass were lots and lots of tiny flowers. Luna knew the woman hadn't done it herself, probably hiring some specialist team to make her garden look the best in the area, but the compliment would definitely help keep her in the good-books.

"Yes I know it's just beautiful isn't it. I was thinking of installing a fountain just here," The lady waved her pointed finger in the vaguest of directions and continued leading her niece inside. "We've got your room all set up like normal upstairs- I don't think it's been used since you were last here."