Luna Aria

VIII. Little Girl

Aria's POV:

The irritating sound of my alarm went off, and I roll myself over, attempting to sit up. Scrolling through my contact list, I searched for Cynthia’s name, which wasn’t an easy task.

When I heard a few low muffled cries behind a bunch of large rocks, I crawled over there. Squatting down, I peeked between the stones to see a few guys crying.

They were hugging each other, muffling words of apologies.

“We’re really sorry, Owen,” one of them said.

“Yeah, we’ll make it up to you. We don’t care if you like guys. We shouldn’t act like that because you’re our bro. You can like unicorns or trees or vampires.”

“I really trusted you all,” Owen said.

“We shouldn’t have behaved that way. We’re so sorry, Owen.”

All of them pour out their lower lips.

“You shitheads! I’ll forgive you all. Just stop crying!” he cries.

They all came together in a group hug, patting one another back.

“By the way, what happened to your eye?” Owen asks one of the guys.

“My dad was pissed when he found out I hit you, so he punched me in the eye.”

“What about you?” He asked another guy who had a purple-red spot on his cheek.

“My mom punched me.”

“Your mom punched you?”

“You guys know her! She was a boxer!”

They all muttered words of agreement as they walked towards the parking lot. I sat there, watching as the sunset shone on their back while they playfully pushed each other back and forth, laughing and joking around.

“Hey, Owen, you better not fall for me,” one of them teased.

Owen turned and smirked, “I’m gay, not desperate." Everyone burst into loud laughter and jumped into one of the two cars.

Bromance. You gotta love it.

I grabbed my phone and called Cynthia to pick me up. After she confirmed that she was on her way, I spent some time in the water. My toes through the waves, feeling the cold tingly sensation. Laying down on the sand, I stare at the sky, counting the birds that flew by.

When I heard an ice cream honking sound, I sat up to see Cynthia waving at me. A few weeks ago, Cynthia decided to change her car honking into an ice cream musical to trick kids into thinking the ice cream truck was coming. I’m pretty sure there is a good amount of children who hate her, plus some adults, but she said she doesn’t care since their reactions are so funny.

I swung my backpack over my shoulders and patted the sand off my clothes. I opened the car door and slipped inside.

“What up, my homie.”

“Let’s not do this today.”

She pointed downward, “You know your legs are wet, and you’re pouring sand into my car, right?” I lifted my leg and threw it on her dashboard, causing a sprinkle of sand to fall into her car. “you are going to clean that up.”

I pulled the seat backward. “Send me the bill.”

She went back and threw a mini-vacuum at me. “Do it, or you’re walking home!”

I let out a grunt and turned on the vacuum cleaner. When I finished cleaning, I put it away.

“Why are you out here?” she asks.

“Hiding.”

“Oh. I don’t blame you. It’s a zoo at your house.”

“You were at my house?”

“No. But, I can assume.”

“Yeah.” The anxiety escalated in my stomach.

“Did you walk here?”

“No. Gabriella gave me a ride out here.”

Cynthia turns the wheel, “Oh, man. Does she know we’re not going to her birthday?”

“I’m pretty sure she had an idea when our names were called. So, yeah. She knows.” I exhale, “You know, it’s weird, but I feel kind of sad when I said goodbye to her today.”

“Well, we did go to the same school for the last two years.”

“That’s true.”

“Or maybe...y’all were besties in your past lives.”

I turn my head towards her, “Gabriella said the same thing earlier.”

Silence.

“Weird,” we said at the same time.

“Do you believe in it?” I ask.

“What?”

“Past lives.”

“Yeah,” Cynthia responds. “I like to believe it doesn’t end when we close our eyes.”

“Really?”

“It makes the ending a little less scary.” Cynthia chuckles, “What’s up with the dark topic? Let’s talk about our lives now. You know, the one we’re living in.”

“Is this your indirect way of telling me to forget about Gabriella because you’re my best friend now?”

Cynthia pointed at me, “Bingo! Who’s your bestie now? Me!”

We continued talking about random stuff until we arrived at my house. When she dropped me off at my house, I saw Tom’s car.

Without a warning, my funeral flashes before my eyes. If I die right now, I would like a butt load of lilies at my funerals. Perhaps, cakes with different kinds of flavors. I would love it if they played Spring Day during my departure. I should tell mom to dress me up in my favorite purple dress and curl my hair. Of course, I don’t want to die looking like that creepy little girl from Jae Locke. When people look inside my casket, I want them to think: “Damn, what a pity, she was so pretty.”

Cynthia pulled me into a hug, “If you die, can I have your clothes and shoes,” she whispered.

I rolled my eyes and pushed her back. “No, I would like to be buried with all my clothes and shoes.”

I swung my backpack over my shoulder and stepped out of the car. I grabbed the towel filled with sand. “I’ll wash it and return it later.”

She grinned, “If I can’t have your clothes and shoes, can I at least have your video game collection?”

I threw my arms out. “Do you want me to die?”

She placed out a palm, “Now, what kind of friend will I be if I want you to die so I can get your stuff. I’m just saying, just in case you die. I need to know your will so your stuff won’t collect dust.”

I leaned forward, putting one hand on the top of the car door. I smiled, “You can have my book collection. I already promised the girl next door my video game collection.”

She gasps, “What? Are you giving that little b***h your collection and not your best friend? Is she your new best friend? Oh no, she has to fight me if she wants that position.”

“Cyn, for the last time, you can’t fight her.”

“And why not?”

“She just turned four!”

She waved her hand, “Age is but a number.”

I snort, “Yeah, and jail is but a place.”

“That’s correct. Jail is a place. See, you understand.”

“I can’t believe you want to become a lawyer. I always thought you would need one, not be one.”

“What can I say? Self Representation!”

After some time, I hugged her goodbye. I walked into the house, and the tension in the air hit me. I attempt to quietly but quickly slip into my room.

“Aria, are you home, sweetheart?” Mom shouted from the dining room in her usual happy voice, but I could pick up the anxiety behind it. When she said: ”Aria, are you home sweetheart,” it translated to "Aria, get your ass in here.”

Sometimes, I forget mom is a hunter with keen ears. I remember once I tried to sneak out of the house. I hung one leg out the window, and mom told me not to do it.

I dropped my backpack down and walked into the dining room, and everyone was sitting at the table. John and Joe were looking down at the table while Sam was glaring at our dad. I pulled a chair next to Sam while Tom gave me a quick smile then changed it to his neutral face.

“Now, since everyone is present. Shall we start discussing what happened earlier today?” Dad used his work voice.

Dad only used his professional work voice when we f****d up. “You.” He pointed at Tom, “Did you force them to sign up?”

Tom threw his hands up in the air. “I’m innocent, I swear!” Dad glared at him. “Okay, not completely innocent. I did ask Aria to sign up.” He may be a hunter, but dad freaks him out for some odd reason. Well, dad freaks out nearly everyone he ever crossed paths due to his demonic aura.

“Dad, it isn’t Tom’s fault. I signed up on my own.” I didn’t mention Cynthia’s name because I don’t want any blood spilling tonight. It is hard to tell your future children that grandpa is in jail because he murdered his mother’s best friend.

He glared at me, “Say that again?”

I shrug, “I signed up myself.”

In the corner of my eyes, I can see Tom smiling. Stupid Tom.

“What? W-Why would you do something like that? I expected it from the twins, well, because they are dumbasses and your sister but not from you!” I’m going to assume he talked to the twins about their secret training to be hunters already. Sam is Sam; she always does things without dad’s permission.

“I wasn’t going to, but I thought about what Sam said. She told me that going to Were-High will give me a better future.”

Sam shot me a death glare, but I ignored her.

“Everyone. Out. I need to speak to your mother and Tom,” he demanded. We ran out of the dining room with our ears pressed against the door.

“How dare you let them sign up! Don’t think I’m stupid! You need at least one parental approval to sign up!” dad screamed.

Glass shatters.

“Oh! And who are you? You are not the boss of me!”

“You sign up all of our children towards death!”

“Oh, for goodness sake! I’m just signing them up to go to another school!”

Everyone gasps.

Mom rarely cusses.

“Enough! Evan, I understand that you’re worried about your children, but you have to understand that they can protect themselves. For heaven’s sake, they are half hunters, but they are stronger than full-blooded hunters!”

My siblings and I are one of the few half hunters in this world. Usually, when a hunter and human mate, the child is a full-blooded hunter or none at all. We didn’t know we were half-hunters until the twins got tested at seven after getting into a car accident. Mom healed because she is a full-blooded hunter, but she was shocked to see how the twins recovered. She took them to a hospital, and immediately Sam and I got tested. Mom believes it is a gift, but dad doesn’t see it that way.

Unlike full-blooded hunters, we got the privilege of smelling like humans but held the skills of a hunter.

Because of fabulous biological research, it’s concluded that hunters and humans, in simple terms, are two sides of the same coin. The only difference would be a specific gene in hunters is switched on.

It’s rare, but a child of two humans can also be a hunter.

They found that out when a couple went to court because their child expressed hunter powers despite being born from two humans—the Hunx2 Case.

Our father refused to enroll us in hunting school and instead enrolled us in human school. Because of his position, he was able to hide our secret. Mom was not happy, but she accepted his decision.

It was quiet. Too quiet. We heard footsteps heading towards the hallway. Immediately, we all look away, pretending we are doing something else. John and Joe were on the ground pretending to arm wrestle. Sam was staring at the photos on the wall, making a face as she had never seen it before. I was on my cell phone, pretending to text someone - I ain’t got no friends to text.

“Come in here, kids,” he said in a stern voice with a hint of defeat. We formed a neat line and followed our dad back into the dining room.

He released a hazy breath and glanced at mom, who circled her thumb on his palm. “I will let you go to Were-High School.”

The twins jumped with and hit their first into the air. Sam sat there smiling in approval. I, on the other hand, wished dad would hold us back somehow.

He held up a finger, quieting us down. “I will let you go to Were-High School if you promise to message every day, call at least once a week, and if anyone would hurt any of you. You will tell us! Understand?!”

“Yes!” everyone responds.

With that, we prepare our departure for Were-High School.

Whoop-dee-doo.

Note the sarcasm.

I can always tell my dad I don’t want to go, and he will instantly withdraw me from that school. Unfortunately, I promised Cynthia we would go together, and I never broke a promise.

When I finished taking a shower, I walked out to see everyone hovering around our parent’s bedroom. Slowly, I crept towards them and poked John’s waist, causing him to jump away and yelp like a little girl. “What the f**k Aria.”

“Why is everyone out there?” I asked.

“Your dad-” mom whispered, “is having an episode.” She pointed inside the bedroom.

I shuffled between Joe and John. Dad is on his bed with his eyes on the tv - family home videos.

“I know you are all out there,” he said.

Everyone shuffles back and forth, pushing each other inside the room. “You talk to him,” Joe said to John.

I step back.

“Oh no! He hates me! He called me a dumbass!” John whisper-yelled.

I went on my knees.

“He called me a fucktard!” Joe responded.

I crawl towards my bedroom.

“You go, Sam.” John pushes her in.

“I’m not the favorite daughter.”

She points at me.

Everyone stared at me.

I stand up and shake my head, “I’m not going in there.”

“No, Sam is right. You should go,” mom said.

“What? You are his wife! You go! Give him a good night or something!” I whispered.

She shakes her head, “I offered that earlier, and your father said no.”

Everyone faces grimaces. “Ew! Mom! That’s disgusting!”

John grabbed my legs and pulled me. “Let me go!” I kicked him, but Joe held my other ankle.

I clawed onto the floor, but they dragged me into the bedroom and threw me inside. With my face on the carpet, I looked up to see mom mouthing: ”Good luck.” Instantly, Sam grabbed the handle and slammed the door shut. I jumped up and tugged on the knob, but it refused to open.

“Aria.”

My hands stopped rattling the knob. “Darn it!” I walk towards him.

Silently, we sit there.

“Daddy! Daddy! Up! Up!” In the video, I was jumping on the bed with a piece of chocolate bar. The sugar was rushing towards every inch of my body as I did a backflip on the bouncing mattress.

How embarrassing.

Dad released a loud ruffled laugh and wiped the melted chocolate from my mouth. “I told you not to give her chocolate,” mom said in the background, holding the camera.

Dad ducks down, “Okay, princess, are you ready for your ride?”

“Ride! Ride!”

I cannot believe I had to act like that. Yes, act.

He bent down, and I jumped on his shoulders. Slowly, he got up, holding my back and ankles so I wouldn’t fall. “Mommy! Mommy! I’m a big girl!”

Dad zooms around the room, pretending to be an airplane. I burst into a high-pitched laugh. “I believe I can fly! I believe I can touch the sky!”

There’s this warm feeling in the pit of my stomach. It’s embarrassing, but it doesn’t mean I dislike it.

Dad clenched his fists, “I miss those times,” he mumbled.

“Daddy, I’m still your little girl.” I wrapped my arms around him.

“Yes, but you are leaving me. Not just you, everyone." He lowered his head, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to hold back the tears.

“We will come back,” I said.

He placed an arm around my shoulder and pulled me in. “Come back often, princess.” He kissed my temple, “And no boys.”

“I got it, no boys, only werewolves,” I joked.

When I looked at him, he had a serious expression. I stopped laughing, “Got it, no boys.”

“I have a gun loaded with silver bullets, and I’m not afraid to enter Full Moon territory with it.”

I nodded, “You know, you’re the best dad ever.”

“Don’t tell everyone else, but you are my favorite,” he whispered.

“Daddy, everyone knows.”

He pulled back and c****d a brow, “Am I that obvious?”

“Yes!” Everyone screamed from the door.

“If you’re going to eavesdrop, might as well come in!”

The door opens.

“Group hug!” John screamed.

“Daddy! Daddy! Won’t you miss me?!” Joe imitated my voice, squirming his body and batting his eyes.

“Hey! My voice isn’t that high!” I screamed.

“Hey! My voice isn’t that high!” John flips his invisible hair.

Senseless argument.

Joyful laughter.

Warm hugs.

Even though I fight with my siblings every day and my parents are pretty strict. Inside this room is everyone I hold near and dear in my heart. If I ever lose any of them, I don’t know what I will do.