The Forgotten Moon Princess

Chapter 3-Selene

Selene stares awkwardly at her parents as they sing her Happy Birthday at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday night. She turns 18 at midnight, and her parents have always made a big deal out of her birthday. She hated when people sang her Happy Birthday; she always felt really uncomfortable and awkward. She never knew where to look or what to do. Rather than reflecting on how uncomfortable she felt, she tried to think about what she was going to wish for when she blew the candle out. 

Her parents finished singing right when the clock flipped to midnight. Selene stared at her funfetti cupcake with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles, and knew she wanted to wish to know who her real birth parents are. When she closed her and leaned in to blow the candle out, instead all she could wish for or even think about was finding where she truly belonged. Her parents cheered as she blew the candle, but Selene can't help but feel a shift in the air as she made her wish, as if something was set into motion by even thinking about where she belongs. 

"What did you wish for, darling?" Selene's mom asked excitedly. 

Before Selene could answer, her dad growled frustratedly, "Moira you know she cannot say or it won't come true. Come now Selene, hurry up and eat your cupcake, you have your last day of high school tomorrow," her dad said, wrapping his arm around her. Looking at her parents, she couldn't help but smile. Selene scarfed down the cupcake, and headed upstairs, exhausted but content. 

Her alarm went off at 7 a.m. and Selene grumbled. It was way too early for her to be waking up. Grumbling, she almost hit snooze, but then she jolted out of bed. She remembered that today was her 18th birthday, and her plan was finally going to be set into motion. Tonight was the night of the graduation bonfire, and also the night that Selene had been hoping for for a while. 

She quickly got ready, then she double checked the bag she had packed. It had her journal, a few clothes, all the money she had saved and the map of the area that was going to lead her on her hunt. Also tucked away in the bag was the letter she drafted to her parents to let her know what she was doing and that she would be safe and come back to them soon. The letter fully explained that this journey was just something she needed for herself. 

Selene headed out the door and to her final day of high school. She cannot believe the day had come. As she walked into the school, a pang of regret hit her heart. She hadn't thought about Blake and Thea before today. She had to say goodbye to them--the friends she has had for years and the only people who understood her. She hadn't thought about it until today. How was she going to say goodbye? Would they accept a letter, same as her parents? 

Lost in her thoughts, Selene missed them walking up to her excited about the plans for the bonfire. After all, the bonfire was going to be their first real high school party that they were going to go. Thea and Blake were talking excitedly about what they thought was going to happen. 

"I heard that at last year's bonfire there were s'mores," said Thea enthusiastically. S'mores were her favorite dessert and she always suggested that the group eat some whenever they hung out. 

"Are you sure you heard that, or are you just projecting what you want for the bonfire?" said Blake skeptically. 

"I definitely heard that!" said Thea. But secretly she was planning on bringing stuff for the three of them to make s'mores. Noticing that Selene had been quiet during the whole exchange, she turned to her and said, "What do you think Selene?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, guess I was lost in my thoughts still." said Selene. She hadn't had a chance to figure out how to say goodbye. Now that she thought more about it, she didn't think there would be a good way to, but she was going to try. At that moment, the bell rang signaling the start of school. The three friends parted ways, and agreed to carpool together to the bonfire later that night. 

***

Blake drove up to pick Selene up at 7:30 p.m. that night. When Selene heard the two honks of his car horn outside, she scrambled to grab her things. She had her backpack of things she was going to take with her ready to go for days. She left the letter she had carefully crafted for her parents on her bed and then jumped down the stairs two at a time to head to the door. Her parents were downstairs waiting to say goodbye. She gave them longer-than-usual hugs and they told her to stay safe. "I will!" she yelled out as she ran toward Blake's car. 

Blake had already picked up Thea, so Selene hopped into the back seat. "Why are you carrying a backpack?" Thea asked. 

"Just wanted to make sure I had anything I might need," Selene replied. 

"Yeah, I know we haven't done this before, Selene, but I'm pretty sure we don't need to bring books with us to a party," said Blake. He was sure to add as much sarcasm into his voice as possible. Blake was always mocking the world around him. 

Selene just laughed and said, "I'll miss that sense of humor, Blake." 

From there, the three drove on toward the party in an amicable silence. Blake pulled into the parking lot of the bonfire--it was being held right at the edge of Oakwood Forest actually, which was perfect for Selene's purposes. She was going to be able to sneak away from the field where it was and head toward her next destination and start her search the next day. Until then, she was going to have fun on her last night with her two best friends. 

When they got out of the car, they headed toward the fire. There was a table with drinks set up and Blake went to grab everyone a drink. He was going to stick with water as the designated driver. Thea's eyes tracked Blake as he made his way through the crowd. That's when it hit Selene. "Oh my god! You guys are together aren't you?" she exclaimed. 

"What?" said Thea, trying to act confused.

"You TOTALLY are," said Selene. "I can't believe I did not notice it beforehand. Since prom, right?" 

"Maybe..." hedged Thea. Looking up at the excitement in Selene's eyes, she sighed and then conceded, "Okay, totally since prom. We didn't want to tell you and make it weird or have anything change, but we love each other."

Selene squealed with delight, excited that her friends found each other right when she was planning on going on her own journey. She knew now that she wouldn't have to worry about them. Hugging Thea, she said, "I am so so happy for you both. I wish you told me sooner so I could revel in this news. But don't feel like you have to hide it from me. I will always love you both, no matter what happens." 

Thea hugged her back and then confided, "I've been dying to tell you, but I'm so glad you finally caught on. Now, I have stuff to make s'mores in my purse, let's celebrate graduating high school, b***h!" 

Together the two of them laughed and headed arm in arm toward the bonfire. After an hour of gorging herself on s'mores, Selene decided it was time to make her escape. She told Blake and Thea that she was going to head to the bathroom and find them later. The two of them were so happy together that she didn't even think they registered her leaving. 

Thea walked into the Oakwood Forest, and began her journey into finding her birth parents. For whatever reason, she felt this sense of peace and grounding wash over as soon as she stepped into the forest. She took about 50 steps into it, and once she was fully in the cover of the forest, she heard a branch snap behind her. Turning, she realized that she was no longer alone. The most handsome guy she had ever seen was staring back at her, arms crossed and glaring. Gulping, Selene took a step backwards and tumbled over onto the ground.