Lost in Spotlight

The Moon

Luna's phone rang, and she saw her mother's name on the screen. She signaled to her friends to keep quiet. "Hey, Mom."

However, the surrounding noise made it difficult to hear her mother's voice. The call dropped, and Luna knew her mom would scold her for not answering properly. She stepped aside to call her back.

"Hey, Mom. I'm sorry, there was a network issue."

"Where are you?" her mom asked.

"I am-" Luna looked around. "I'm at Lia's house."

"Is there anyone at her house?" her mom inquired.

"There's a lot of noise in the background." Her mom added.

Luna replied. "Actually, Mom, more of our friends are here too. She invited us to dinner."

"What about your interview?" her mom asked.

"I was appointed, Mom. Can I tell you the details when I'm back? I can barely hear you right now."

"Okay—" Luna cut the call, taking a deep sigh. She turned around and saw someone standing behind her. She was about to scream but stopped.

"You're good at lying," he said.

"What?" Luna replied, confused.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Why should I tell you how I am?" Luna tried to act normal.

"Don't you know me?" he asked.

"No, how would I know you?" Luna replied hesitantly.

"Don't lie, again," he responded.

"Whatever." Luna was about to leave, but he stopped her. He didn't exactly stand in her way, but he positioned himself against the wall, making it impossible for her to pass.

"But I know you, Luna," he said, his expression unreadable. Luna's eyes widened.

"Does he remember?" she thought to herself.

"Let me go," was all she managed to say.

He removed his hand and gestured for her to leave. Luna walked away but stopped.

"Stop thinking everyone knows you, Mr. Ryan Ross," she said, turning back to face him.

Ryan stood there, a slight smile on his face. "Sometimes I like this fame." He rejoined Liam, and they left the coffee shop.

Luna returned to her table, grabbed her purse, and announced, "I'm sorry, guys. I'm leaving."

"What happened, Luna?" Alex asked, concerned.

"Nothing. I just want to go home." Luna said.

Lia stood up. "I'm coming with you."

"No, guys, I'm fine. I just don't feel well," Luna insisted.

"Did your mom say something?" Lia asked.

"No, Lia, I'm fine. I'll just get a cab back home."

Without listening to their concerns, Luna left and booked a cab.

Luna reached home, her parents sitting in the lounge. She avoided eye contact and went upstairs to her room. She threw her bag on the bed and sat on the couch.

"Does he remember me? No, how would he? He didn't know me back then, and it's been years now." Luna tried to convince herself.

Her room door knocked. Her mom came in and sat next to her. "How was your interview?" she asked.

Luna's emotions shifted. "Mom, did you ever ask me how I am? How I'm feeling?"

Her mom began to speak, but Luna stopped her. "I'll be joining tomorrow, Mother. You can rest now. Not useless anymore." Luna's eyes welled up.

"I never said you're useless," her mom tried to explain.

Luna's pain deepened. "Exactly, I wish you had said it directly. You said even worse."

"You're my daughter, Luna. I want the best for you."

Luna's voice cracked. "Thank you so much for that. You can leave, Mom. I have to sleep."

Her mom didn't say anything else and left, closing the door.

She rested her head on her hands, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Mom... but I'm hurt. And you'll never realize, never..."

Lia and Alex were constantly calling Luna to check in, but she kept cutting off their calls. Instead, she texted them in their group chat, "I'm fine, lovelies."

Lia and Alex were Luna's only close friends. Among them, Lia understood Luna the best. They had met in school, and their friendship had grown stronger over time. Alex had joined their circle when they took a course together, and the three had formed an unbreakable bond.

Ryan sat on the couch, gazing at the moon, and replayed his interaction with Luna from start to finish. "Why am I thinking of her?" he wondered. But a slight smile crept onto his face as he recalled her parting words: "Stop thinking everyone knows you, Mr. Ryan Ross."

Liam burst into Ryan's room without knocking, but Ryan was lost in thought and didn't notice his presence. The room was dimly lit, with only the moonlight illuminating it.

"Who are you thinking about?" Liam asked, breaking the silence.

"Moon." Ryan whispered.

"What?" Liam asked, straining to hear.

Ryan snapped back to reality and sat up straight. "How ill-mannered. Don't you know you have to knock before entering someone's room?"

"No one taught me manners, actually," Liam replied with a grin. "But you tell me, why are you smiling like that? Are you okay?"

"I don't know. Do I look okay?" Ryan asked, slightly puzzled.

"You look perfectly fine," Liam said. "And I'm leaving; you're scaring me."

Liam left the room, and Ryan's gaze drifted back to the moon, his thoughts once again consumed by the moon.