The Brightest Stars

Luna

I hate these curling irons. I tried one more time while I facetimed Ash and in the middle of our conversation, all I saw was her wide eyes and her hand covering her mouth. That's when I knew....I had done it again.

It was only once! Only once to look good for Xander's dinner with his parents! But of course I had no money at the moment and I blindly cut my hair shorter this time. Ash was my guide and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed by it. Xander and I couldn't stop laughing when I told him the truth about my hair afterwards.

Now, I get ready for Annabelle's farewell party. It's funny to think that she's leaving. It almost feels like she will only leave for a week instead of years. Yet, as I put on a shirt, this sadness starts in my heart for my friend. I've noticed how different she's been and I've stayed quiet. I'm not one to comfort. Xander does that for me. But she completely transformed into a rock.

I'm happy for her though. I just wish it could be me and her like we've been this school year. I thought it would always be the amazing duo against all those suits....

I guess some fairytales don't finish up with happy endings. Nor some blessings last very long like it happened for Annabelle and Max. Her blessing lasted only a few months and it flipped her world upside down.

I smile at the simple outfit I have on and take the small gift I made for her. I took out a picture of our first debate together and put it with a frame. I looked at our smiles and we both have lost those wide smiles filled with hope....

As I make my way downstairs, my eyes catch a glimpse of a blonde head at one of the sofas. He has a beer can in hand and I carefully start towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

I stop and swallow as I think of the right tone and words to use. "Um. I'm going to this farewell party. My friend is going to leave to Spain tomorrow."

I can hear my father do a scoff. "I wish I was like her. Escape from it all."

Anger starts in my veins and for the first time, I don't stop myself or think twice on what I'm about to say. "Why do you hate me so much?! I'm your daughter for heaven's sake!"

My father stands up and I stand taller. Something I've never done before. He comes closer to me and gives me a devious smile. "You're not the only one that's made my life miserable..."

"Why do you keep saying that? Why do you keep treating me like this?!"

"Maybe if you weren't so stupid then I'll treat you different!" he yells at me.

I clench my jaw and sternly say, "Maybe if you aren't so drunk all the time, you'd actually see that I'm not as stupid as you think!" The next second, I feel a hard slap on my face and this leaves me in shock.

Anger shoots up in his eyes as he points at me and growls, "What did you say?"

I stand taller as my blood boils with the thumping pain in my cheek. I turn my hands into fists and angrily say, "Trust me, Dad. I will be gone when you decide to be sober again."

This time it isn't a slap. I immediately regret everything as he takes a strong hold of my hair and throws me to the side. A shooting pain runs up my legs as I fall hard on the ground. He starts yelling things at me, but I don't understand them. The world becomes a blur with my screams and his punches. I can barely feel anything as I slowly see dark spots in my vision.

He grabs my shoulders and shakes me so hard that my head hits the wooden floor.

The world turns pitch black.

I wake up and the first thing I feel is a strong headache. I let my eyes open slowly and I see a white ceiling. I blink several times so my vision can clear up, and my ears finally create a distinct sound of pulse rates.