Luna

Chapter 16

"Would you like anything to drink?" Lucia asks as she makes her way towards the couch.

"No thanks," I respond shyly as my eyes wonder around the beautiful room. Once again today, I've been taken aback by the elegance and beauty surrounding me. It's like the entire pack was crafted by gods and for gods. The houses are huge, territory beautiful, and air feels clean, and I bet the people here emanate an aura of sophistication.  

"Yes please!" Debbie's high-pitched voice squeals.

"You know where the kitchen is Debs, help yourself."

"But I thought since you were being all hospitable to the Luna, you would at least treat me the same. I mean... I did bring her here you know," Debbie whines.

"Well, you practically live here against my constant protests, so I don't see why and how we should change our routines now."

"Oh, don't break my heart now," Debbie says sarcastically.

The two ladies glare at each other for a moment before they break out in laughter from Debbie's sulkish/whinish/sarcastic tone, and I stare at them completely bemused. For the last three and a half years I haven't been in the company of anyone other than Emily and Dave longer than three minutes, let alone communicated with anyone else other than Tyler. I'm in an environment that is completely new to me, and I have no idea what to do or how to behave. 

Noticing my rather awkward behaviour, Lucia begins to explain, "Debbie is a friend of mine - "

"Best friend." Debbie interjects

"Yeah, well... Still debatable." Lucia jokes looking at Debbie.

"tsk... Aww! You know you love me!" Debbie squeals, which earns an eye roll from Lucia, and it almost makes me scoff.

"She's here all the time," Lucia states as she rolls her eyes and lets out an exaggerated sigh. Shaking her head from side to side she adds, "She never leaves no matter what I say or do. There is such a thing as personal space you know," she says as she turns to look at her smiling friend.

"I... I don't hear you complaining when I'm babysitting though," Debbie retorts.

"Well... That, I appreciate." Lucia responds with a bright smile.

The two women continue their little banters as I watch in silence, observing a culture I haven't been accustomed to for so long. It must be nice. I don't remember the last time I did that with anyone. For over four years, I have been living in a nightmare that shows no signs of relenting. At each corner, I have been crushed with another wave of intense pain and suffering as I witnessed the destruction of my life with no light at the end of the tunnel, or anyone to help me. I have lost the foundation that made me a whole, I have been beaten, abused, and broken, and most of all, I lost myself. I've been alone for what seems like an eternity now – well, alone with Em. But alone non the less. So, the scene before me is fascinating to watch.

When they realize that I'm watching them in silence, they stop their banters, and turn their attention to me. Feeling embarrassed and unsure of myself, I cast my eyes to the ground and caress a cuddled Emily. Having been locked up in the house for so long, I don't know how to react in social situations anymore, and right now, I feel like a kid who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

"How are you feeling now Luna?" Lucia as Em jumps off my legs and heads out of the room.

"Fine," I mutter, unintentionally ending the makings of a conversation. The room falls into equivocal silence and I sense the discomfort emanating from the females. Great! I've made them uncomfortable. Turning to look up at the females, I watch as they exchange strange looks between each other, before Lucia finally looks at me hesitantly.