Luna Aria

VII. The Selection

Aria's POV:

I wake up in the morning feeling even worse than last week.

When I walked down the hallway, I inhaled as much air as possible to prepare for Joe’s toxic waste. The bathroom door creaked open, and I waved my hands back and forth just in case he installed some invisible force field or a pie would smack me in the face if I stepped inside.

I knew something was wrong when I leaped inside, and nothing happened.

Today is going to be a f**k up day.

After I prepared myself inside the bathroom, I went back to my bedroom and got dressed. Throwing away my dirty clothes into the basket, I grabbed a red t-shirt with my favorite logo - Why aren’t you whining - with a bottle and glass of wine in the background. It’s entirely inappropriate for school, but I love it, so they have to deal with it. I grabbed a grey hoodie along with a pair of sweats and pulled it on.

When I finished, I grabbed my backpack and walked downstairs to look at the calendar.

Today is the day.

Shaking my head, I walked into the kitchen, only to find Sam and mom munching on donuts.

I threw my bag on the ground and grabbed a sugary donut. “Where’s daddy and the twins?”

Mom wiped off the sprinkles on her cheeks and placed down the medical documents. “They left earlier. Joe and John said they have something to do while your dad had to prepare for the upcoming announcement.”

I sat beside her, “Does he know who is chosen?”

She sips on the hazelnut coffee. “No, they have someone from the council coming here to announce it. It’s a surprise for everyone.”

Dad would be shocked, disappointed, and angry when he sees me up there. I pray he won’t get a heart attack.

Since the twins weren’t home, mom took us to school. Sam sat in the front while I lay in the back, taking my usual nap. Sadly, today, I couldn’t sleep on the car ride to school. Instead, I put on my hoodie and threw my backpack under my head. The sky is darker than usual.

Darkness.

Howls.

Anxiety rushed into every fiber of my body as my leg refused to stop shaking. The volume of howling inside my head increases, almost to an unbearable height.

Everything seemed to freeze when a pair of crystal clear eyes caught my eyes. The outer iris was glassed with gold, but the inside was completely white. He sits on a tree and smile.

“Let’s finish your story.”

“Let’s go,” Sam said. She stares at me, “What are you looking at?”

We’re at school.

“Sweetie, is there something wrong?” Mom asked.

“Nothing. Why?”

“The rate of your heartbeat was irregular, so I thought you were having another nightmare.”

I smiled, “Mom, I’m fine. I guess I’m just anxious for today.”

She nodded and kissed my temple. “Goodbye, my children! Thank you for blessing me with your presence and eating my money!”

Sam and I look at each other before we let out an: “Ugh.”

Nearly everyone at school dressed up. The girls were wearing dresses or something fancy while the guys were dressed up as if they were heading towards an interview.

Sam and I are wearing sweats and a hoodie except in reverse colors.

Walking down the hallway, I was blinded by all the good-looking people. Just kidding, the dazzling jewelry was overwhelming me.

Cynthia ran towards me, almost knocking me over. She was wearing jeans and a hoodie, which threw me off. “Why aren’t you all dressed up?”

“Why should I dress up?”

“Because today is selection day?”

She wiggled her nose and her face twisted into something indefinable. She shakes her head, and her face turns back to normal. “I told you before. The odds of one of us getting chosen are slim, and the odds of both of us getting chosen are even slimmer. I just wanted to sign up with my bestie.” She smiled, and hugged me. She is stupid, but she is my stupid best friend.

The principal requested our presence in the auditorium an hour before school ended, announcing that someone was chosen. Everyone gasped, and you could feel the tension escalating in the air. People sign up to go to Were High School for different reasons: a werewolf, connection, better education, etc.

While the principal talked about how proud he is of every one of us, and it doesn’t matter who got chosen. The students were talking about how exciting it would be to go. Some hug their friends, saying how they would miss them if they get selected. Others made sneer comments about how they should get chosen. Others don’t care.

The door flew open, and everyone quieted down. My head went towards the door, and I could feel the power radiating from him. Some humans unconsciously bow down at him. Others stare in awe or avoid his eyes due to fear. I decided not to look at him and stare at the piece of gum stuck on the seat in front of me.

“Good afternoon, students.” His voice was not loud but filled with power. No one said a single thing. Cynthia stared at him in complete awe, not once averting her eyes.

“I am Mr. James, the principal of Were High School and one of the two representatives for werewolves. I am here to announce who has been selected. I am excited to say that five people have been chosen from this school. Three humans and two hunters.”

Loud gasps from both teachers and students. Our school is designed only for humans and a few hunters, but they weren’t trained to fight.

I sat there silently, staring at the chewed-up piece of gum. It’s so disgusting.

“Yes, you heard correctly. Three humans and two hunters. I was quite shocked when I found out.” He laughed while everyone stayed quiet. “I can tell that you’re all anxious to know who is chosen. Hmmm, let’s announce the hunters first, shall we?”

I can tell he is the type of man who enjoys torturing others. There is a possibility he takes joy in seeing others in distress, which is a council member’s typical behavior.

“I am pleased to announce the chosen hunters! John and Joe Dante Rossi!”

Oh! They must have a death wish!

The crowd screamed with excitement, clapping and hollering. I saw the look on our father’s face, and furious is the soft word with how he feels.

“Everyone, quiet down,” Mr. James said.

Noiseless.

I knew they were hiding something. My father didn’t pick it up since he is human, but I did. I smelled the scent of the forest in them. They must have been training, probably with mom or Tom. I’m sure Sam picks up their scent too.

Speaking of Sam, where is she?

“Now, let’s announce which humans are selected. We welcome you to Were High School Cynthia Ramon, Samantha Sienna Rossi, and Aria Sienna Rossi!”

Cynthia’s high-pitched shriek echoed throughout the auditorium. She jumped out of her seat and pulled me to the front. Sam is already up there. Fortunately for me, I can also see my dad’s face turning red, which he didn’t bother to attempt concealing.

As Cynthia pulled me up on stage, she slowed down. Finally, I looked at him, seeing him push back his dark brown hair, revealing a pair of oddly familiar caramel eyes. She stared at Mr. Hottie. Yes, the principal is hot, while Mr. Hottie stared back at her. He closed his eyes and started sniffing the air. His eyes darken. Swiftly it went back to his regular colors.

Now, this is interesting.

Everyone cheered, but I could see some disappointed faces in the crowd. There were individuals from the council coming towards us, throwing out words of congrats.

When Mr. James approached me, he shook my hand and raised an eyebrow. I match his gaze. We stared at each other until someone came to tell him something. I tried not to notice his scrutiny ever since I walked up the stage, but his stares were quite ferocious. It was starting to get uncomfortable. Thank goodness his eyes averted mine whenever he saw Cynthia.

I wasn’t into crowds, but I’m grateful that so many people were here. My dad couldn’t confront my siblings or me since people attacked him with words of congratulations. Throughout the whole ceremony, he was giving us death glares. Sam, John, and Joe were staring at everywhere else except him.

Cynthia jumped on me and spewed out all the fun things we could do together at Were-High. Immediately, she ran out the door, saying she must tell her parents.

I walked up to Sam and hit the side of her waist. “Sup, sis.”

She ran her fingers through her dark brown hair, revealing a dashing pair of chocolate orbs. “Yes, baby sister?”

I folded my arms, “Why did you decide to sign up?”

Sam hopped on the stage, throwing her legs back and forth. “Just because.”

“Just because?”

She planted both hands on stage and leaned back. “You know about Were-High School. They have a high academic program. If I graduate from there, I can go to any college I want or even start working a high-paying job.”

She’s hiding something else, but I didn’t want to bother her any further.

I look at my twin brothers and the people surrounding them. Girls were throwing themselves at them, and guys were teasing them. They noticed my presence and gave me a wink along with a suspicious look.

I smiled and walked out the door. Staring at the ground, I thought about what I should do next. I was so concentrated on the stoned ground that I hit a pair of jiggly boobs.

I looked up, “Hey, Gabriella.” I mentally pat myself on the back for remembering her name.

“Dang Aria, you look kind of down for someone who just got chosen,” she chuckled.

I shrug, “Where are the girls that are usually standing behind you?”

She pointed behind me, “They are over there crying about your brothers’ departure.”

I nodded and twirled the lock of hair around my fingers. “You aren’t going to be over there with them?”

She shook her head and leaned towards me. “To be honest, John and Joe aren’t my types,” she whispered. We giggled. “Need a lift?” She jiggled her keys.

“Yes, please.”

She tilted her head, gesturing for me to follow her. “Where to?”

“The beach.”

Silently, we walked towards her car. My eyes roamed around, seeing guys glancing at her. “Busy tonight Gabriella? Want to warm up my bed?” one of them shouted, and the others high-fived him.

How disgusting.

We passed by them, and she flips a bird, “You look mad,” I said.

The corner of her lips tilted upward. “It’s my resting b***h face.” She pushed on her car alarm and unlocked her car door. Gabriella threw her backpack in the trunk along with mine. We opened the car door and hopped inside.

“Does this happen often?” I got into the car.

“s**t happens.”

I exhale, “s**t does happen.”

She rolled down the window, and her hair flowed in all directions as she sniffed through her stuffy nose. “So, what’s your story?”

I rested my chin on the palm of my hand, “You’re asking about my story when you haven’t even told me yours?”

“I’m a boring person.”

“Yeah. Sure. Miss head cheerleader.”

“I’m just a girl.”

“Looking for a place in this awful world,” I sang.

“Ba-dap. Ba-dap. Ba-dap,” we sang together before a burst of laughter erupted.

She nudged me, “Come on, Aria, you know what I mean. What’s your story? If it’s more boring than mine, then I’ll tell you my story.”

I furrow my brows, “I don’t understand.”

“You want to know what everyone says about you?”

“Aria Sienna Rossi. The cutest little girl anyone ever saw with this gifted voice. Not only is she pretty, but she is smart and athletic too. You know, there isn’t a single bad rumor about you.”

“Isn’t that exaggerating things?”

“Aria, I saw you broke the school record as the fastest one-mile runner. You scored a near-perfect score on one of the hardest exams at our school. You sang like an angel in choir class. You’re fluent in over ten languages. Then, there is that delicious, mouthwatering food you cook and sweets you bake. You can play the violin, piano, guita-”

I rolled my eyes and cut her off, “You make it sound like I’m living a fairy tale.”

She shakes her head, “You have this perfect little family, with two smoking-hot older brothers who happened to be star athletes, a valedictorian older sister, and parents who are well-respected in both hunters and the human community.”

“So?”

“You are living a fairy tale where you are the princess. I’m not surprised if one day a prince appears riding a horse asking for your hand in marriage.”

The beach made its appearance. “I guess this life isn’t that bad,” I mumble.

“You, Aria Sienna Rossi, sound like you have an actual problem?”

I fake a smile, just enough to be exposed. “Everyone has problems.”

After some silence, she nodded, “That’s true. I’m sorry.”

I exhale, “My name is Aria Sienna Rossi. I’m sixteen years old with twin older brothers and an older sister. I used to have another sister, but an unfortunate event happened, and she’s gone. My mom is a hunter, and my dad is a human; they are long-time sweethearts. Some consider them a match made in heaven. I am not in any sports or clubs unless you consider the go-home club a club. I like to sleep and eat. My hobby is dancing naked in my room while listening to music.”

“I prefer not knowing that last part, but that can’t be the full story,” she said.

“That’s the story of my current life,” I responded.

“Are you happy, living this kind of life?” she asked.

“I can’t ask for a better life. What about you?”

She turned towards me, showing off her perfectly white teeth. “I have a loving fiance and awesome parents, so the answer is yes.”

“So, how did you two meet?” I question.

Another smile made its way towards her lip, and I knew she was excited to tell me.

It turns out Gabriella and her fiance, Chad, met when she was eleven. At that time, he was a cute fifteen-year-old, and she clung to his leg like it was her lifeline. She told me about all these pranks she used to pull on his ex-girlfriends. My favorite was when she released a bunch of baby snakes inside his house.

When she turned sixteen and was twenty, she yelled at him for being stupid and not noticing her feelings. Gabriella told Chad she didn’t want to see him again until she could sort out her emotions since she knew it wasn’t his fault.

Two weeks later, he came to her house with a dozen roses and asked her to be his girlfriend. Gabriella’s dad doesn’t want his daughter hurt and threatens Chad to marry his daughter or leave, bang, Chad proposed. Gabriella’s dad did not see that one coming.

When we reached the beach, I got out of the car to grab my backpack. She jumped out, pushing on her dark shades, and shut the trunk. “I guess I’m not going to see you or Cynthia at my birthday party?”

I smiled, “Make sure to look out for a blue package.”

She pushed her hair back and nodded, “I’ll keep an eye out for it. Message me sometimes. We can hang out if you ever come back here.” The edge of her lips curled up, “Keep an eye out for an invitation to my wedding.”

“Definitely.”

Gabriella stared at me for a long time, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable.

“What is it?” I ask.

“You know, we’ve known each other since freshman year.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you ever feel...weird looking at me?”

I laugh, “Are you telling me you’re in love with me?”

Gabriella laughs along, “No. I mean, you’re cute and all, but you’re not my type.”

I lean against the passenger car door, “I’m everybody’s type. But, only when I want to.”

Gabriella’s smile only widens, “I’ll miss you. I wish we hung out more when you’re here.”

“Me too.” I don’t talk to Gabriella much, but she’s one of the few people I don’t mind being around.

“You know, this may sound weird. But, do you believe in a past life?”

The hair caresses our cheeks. Do I believe in a past life? “I do.”

“Me too,” she says. “And something tells me, we were really good friends in our past lives.”

“You know what I think?”

“What?”

“We’re good friends now.”

Gabriella smiled at me, but it wasn’t a completely happy one. There was this type of sadness. Her hands tighten on the wheel. I can tell Gabriella wants to say something, but she can’t put it into words.

“Make sure to pick up my phone calls when I come back for the holidays.”

Gabriella nods, “Let’s make up for the lost time.”

I hold out a fist.

She punches it.

It’s weird. Gabriella and I barely hung out the past two years we’ve known each other, but I also feel sad leaving her.

Gabriella stops her car at the freeway and pokes out her head. “There are going to be a lot of hot guys at that school. Make sure to practice safe s*x!”

She burst out laughing.

I turned around and set the alarm on my phone, ensuring I wouldn’t fall asleep at the beach again. The beach has been my go-to place for as long as I can remember. I suck in the fresh, salty essence.

With my backpack and shoes on the sand, I hopped on the fence bench. The cold wind whipped around me, carrying the unmistakable aroma of salt. But somehow, I enjoyed the faint taste of salt in the breeze. I used to dislike this taste, but now I love it because it reminded me of his warm salty kisses.

The devious whispers inside my head were increasing, escalating, into extreme torture.

My hand slid into my pockets, and out came a bottle. With a few rattling, a white pill dropped into my palm. Releasing a deep breath, I threw it into my mouth.

My body falls into the slushy sand, and the cold water hits my feet. The sky changes its color from grey to spattered orange, red, and yellow.

There’s a faint whisper.

So distant like a gateway to dreams.

Noah.