The Brightest Stars

Luna

My birthday is soon.

Sometimes I wonder if that is even a day of celebration. My father tells me every time that because of my birth, his marriage went downhill.

Xander tells me to ignore him because he's drunk. I don't tell him that he says this when he's sober also.

But I decide to have a small lunch the weekend before my birthday with Xander. It's the best way to celebrate my birthday. Although, I think Kristen has mentioned something about hanging out with the group at the park.

Whatever happens, I will just enjoy this moment as I fix my hair and put on a pretty blouse. We're going into the Spring very soon, so the weather is changing to finally wear something less long-sleevy.

Xander decided to take me out to the restaurant we were going to for Valentine's Day. He said that he really wanted to take me so this weekend was the week my father is out of town for "work."

He doesn't have to enter from my window. Instead, the small knock on my door makes my heart jump. I look at my face on the mirror by the door and open with a smile. He wears sunglasses and he smiles widely at me.

"Wow. You look beautiful. I think it's the new mascara we wore."

I laugh at his joke and shake my head. "I believe it's those new sunglasses, sir," I say as I close the door behind me.

He puts a gentle hand on my back as we walk towards his car. "Oh. You know. I wanted to look extra cool for my extra lovely birthday girl." I give him a small kiss as he opens the door for me and enter his car. We are on the road and get to a small restaurant uptown where I've never been before.

We don't have to wait for a waitress to guide us to a table, so Xander guides me to a small table by a light brick wall. I admire how fancy this place is. "Wow, Xander. This place looks so beautiful. I'm flattered." I say the last part playfully.

"You deserve the best," he says as he takes a gentle hold of my hand and kisses it tenderly. A blush starts on my cheeks and I give him a loving smile.

He gives me a grin and then looks down at the menu. I look down at my own, but my mind takes me to that odd shine in his grey eyes. There's something bothering him....

A fancy waiter comes and offers the specials for today. Xander orders his drink and I order a fruity drink. The waiter leaves and we look back at each other. There's that shine again in his eyes....

But I just give him a smile and take a hold of his hand. "So? How's work? You've been so mysterious about it ever since I joked that I would go and visit you!"

There it is. That shine. It's his job.

I ignore my concern and don't give any expression for right now as he looks down at the table. When he looks away from my eyes, it means he's hiding something.

"No," he says with creases on his forehead. This shows that he's lying to me. But I don't say anything right now as he says, "No. No. It's just my parents. They found out I'm not going to that school they were so hyped up about." My heart is stabbed at the small hint of pain in his eyes.

I clear my throat as guilt starts within me. "I'm not sure if that was the right choice to make either, Xander."

"What do you mean? I stayed for you."

"That doesn't make me feel any better. I can see it in you. You wanted to go. Pain goes through those pretty eyes of yours when you mention that school."

"No. No, love. It's not like that." Xander takes a hold of my hand and leans forward. His eyes burn through me as he says, "I'm glad I stayed. My parents will understand later on. But they haven't been at their best place in their marriage either. My school is just an excuse to take out their anger...."

"Oh," I say with furrowed brow. "Is everything okay?" Xander sighs and stays silent. I give him a look and say, "Xander..."

He does a small chuckle at the way I'm trying to get him to tell me everything. Xander scratches the back of his head and says, "I don't know. I think they're at the verge of a divorce...."

I squeeze his hand with sadness. "Oh, Xander. I'm so sorry, love." I give him a soft smile and he tries hard to push down his sadness.

He clears his throat and gives me a small smile. "Don't worry about it, Luna. Our love is forever. I promise...." He gives me another soft kiss on my hand and the waiter comes back with our drinks.

I close my eyes in delight at the delicious flavor of my drink. Xander looks through his menu and says, "Now. Shall I suggest the...." He turns the menu upside down with furrowed eyebrows. "I don't know how to pronounce this plate, but it looks delicious!" I laugh at this and look over at his menu.

"Oh. It's a popular Spanish plate. It's like a chicken breast filled with mushroom liquid. But don't worry. It's really good."

Xander gives me a surprised look. "Woah! Since when did you become Spanish?!" I chuckle at this and he shrugs. "I guess I'll just get this."

"How did you know about this place anyways?"

"I know this guy. The owner," he says quietly. That shine goes through his eyes and I know that this is about his job again.

I move the straw in my drink and ask, "A guy from your job?" When I look up at him, anger starts in his expression and I raise my brows at him. "What's wrong? I can't ask about your job?"

"No. You can't."

I let my brows furrow and my mouth open in surprise. "Woah there. Don't get too excited to tell me all about your job."

"Look, Luna. There's some things I prefer to keep to myself."

"And you decided to keep your job a secret from me? Out of all the things, Xander." He rolls his eyes at me and I scoff. "Attitude."

"C'mon Luna. Let's not argue right now." Xander says with a sigh. "Let's just enjoy the amazing food!"

I clench my jaw and feel hurt at this secret. But I have to understand him. I have to trust him. So I nod and quietly say, "Just don't get yourself in anything that could hurt you. I'd hate to lose you." I let these last words burn through him as I say, "You're all I've got left."

Xander's expression softens and his heart melts at these words. He kisses my hand and says, "You don't have to worry. I will always be here.....It's just..." He hesitates and his mind works on a way to find the right words to explain his job. He finally finds the strength and carefully says, "I am in something that is supposed to be a secret. I don't work at a normal job. That's all I can tell you for right now. But if I don't tell you more, it's because I don't want to risk your life. I don't want to put you in danger, my love."

"Why would I be in danger?" That shine leaves my curiosity to grow more and I lean over a little to try to connect with his thoughts. I've never been through something like this with him. It feels odd, but deep down I have an understanding as I observe his grey eyes turn sad.

He really wants to tell me, but it's my safety that stops him. I love him for this...

"You have to trust me in this, okay? If there's something I want for you is safety...." He stays silent and a teasing smile starts on his lips. "Apart from the perfect birthday meal!" I laugh and lean over. He closes the distance and our lips meet.

"I'm sorry." We both jump and pull back to see a waiter giving us an awkward smile. We give him a nervous chuckle and Xander starts ordering what we want.

I watch him as he talks with the waiter and wonder what he really does at his job. My heart stays in doubt of his words. I'm afraid that I might just not know who he really is.

Is this job what he really is or do I know the real Xander?

Would I fall in love with that Xander just as I am with the one I'm watching in front of me laugh with the waiter?

I shiver at the thought of secrets. They're dangerous. So dangerous that my parents ended up splitting up. That my father ended up telling me about a secret that was the main reason he's so ruined now. It wasn't just my birth. It was something else.

And that's all he told me before leaving for work out of town.

I was left in the dark just as I am now with Xander....