The Brightest Stars

Luna

I'm stuck in the same dilemma again. Whether I should go home or do what's right.

I sit on the sidewalk looking down at my phone contemplating whether I should just text Annabelle.

My muscles ache with exhaustion at today's after-school beautification. I'm glad we're at our last week. I don't think I can resist anymore of this. Yet, I've realized how dirty our school is and how disgusting people can be.

"Hey, Luna."

I look up with a smile as I watch Xander walk up to me. His hands shoved in his pockets and with his childish smile.

"Hey," I quietly say. I watch him sit down next to me and chuckle when he kisses my cheek. "I thought you left already."

"I just went to the restroom and you disappeared." His beautiful dark grey eyes shine with his teasing tone.

I shake my head with a smile and say, "I thought the toilet had swallowed you."

"What?!" I laugh at his surprised expression and lightly push him with my shoulder as he says, "I didn't even take that long! You always have to wash your hands by singing happy birthday to yourself two times. Like this, all bacteria will die off. Did you know--"

"Yeah yeah, Doc. I know all about that stuff." I give him a small smile and look back down at my phone. All the small happiness I had just now fades away at the memory of my father. Shivers go down my spine if I arrive late. I don't want to repeat that scene again.

"What's going on, pretty lady?" Xander looks over my phone. His blue eyes show worry as they look back at me.

I let out an exhausted sigh and say, "I don't know if I should visit Annabelle today. Yesterday I couldn't because of work and now I'm scared that my father might be home early today."

"Then text Annabelle to see how she's doing."

"I did earlier today and she didn't answer. I'm worried something must've happened."

"Well, I asked Kristen in Anatomy and she said Annabelle was fine. She stayed with her last night."

We stay quiet as we both look down at the screen where Annabelle's messages are at. The last thing we texted was about the upcoming debate and today's message she didn't even see. Now, my fingers slowly try to make out a sentence for Annabelle. Once I finish, we look at it. Xander switches glances between me and the phone.

He slowly tries to press send and I slap his hand away. "Hey! Don't touch my phone." We share a chuckle, but Xander quickly tries to grab it. I pull it away and push him lightly to the side. "Stop that!"

"Push send!" Xander says with a reckless smile. I laugh as his fingers find my ribs and he takes the advantage to grab my phone with his other hand. His arm wraps around my shoulders in order to grab my phone.

His thumb quickly presses the send button and I snatch it from him. I look down at my phone to see Annabelle typing. A sigh of relief escapes from my lips and I let my head slightly rest on his shoulder now that his arm is still wrapped around my shoulders. I let his light kiss on my head send warmth over my body as I read Annabelle's message.

"She says she's okay. She will be back tomorrow!"

A smile starts on my lips and Xander returns it. "See? I told you. Now, let's go see if you're dad is home."

With the mention of my father, chills go through my body and my hands start to get clammy. "No, Xander. It's okay. I don't want him to see you."

I can take all the pain and yells from my father, but I will never forgive myself if Xander gets hurt.