I Can Be Luna

3.

Unwanted Focus

Ariana and I strolled through the school's hallways, and the silence was unsettling. Usually, it is hopping with activity as people catch up on their weekends, compare schedules to see which classes they have with pals, and so forth. However, there is just quiet murmurs and sidelong glances this morning. It is strange; I can not be the only one who felt awful this morning.

"How silent is it, really? This morning, something felt strange, and I can not get rid of it." Ariana shouted at me in a whisper. Yes, girl, that is what I also noticed. Perhaps everyone is tired of the recent autos that entered our area." In return, I whispered. I could feel the hair on my arms standing on end, and I had to force down a shiver when I thought someone was watching me. Ella was pacing, her hackles up, in my brain. Upon glancing around, I saw that everyone had resumed their usual conversation and dismissed the situation after failing to recognise the person observing me.

We headed to our lockers, got our math supplies and hurried down the hallway to the classroom for our first lesson. As we sat down in the back corner of the classroom, I realised I really need to give Ella a quick hello. "What is wrong with you, Ella? Do you think what Jimmy said to us earlier has anything to do with the way you are acting? "I do not know, Helen," I inquired. Maybe because we are about to start our first shift, I am a little nervous. We are not a member of this pack, and no one is aware of my existence, thus it is absurd that Jimmy could have connected us! I will admit that I have been irritable lately—angry, actually—but even though I know someone is entering the area, I still feel unsure. Almost similar to. "You know, like when Uncle James told me to make up my identity?" I swiftly concluded her statement. Yes, precisely that way. Something is about to happen, Helen. I believe that The Moon Goddess, my mother, is getting us ready for something. Whatever it is, I am sure it will be something significant.She gave me a meaningful response before excluding me.

Ella does not block me very frequently, but when she does, it is typically because she needs some alone time to reflect. Ella and I share a special connection; we are practically one. Combined, we give each other power. That makes sense, I suppose, given everything we have gone through.

The first few lessons seemed to fly by. I could not help but think of Ella's statement that the Moon Goddess was getting us ready for something. What might that be? The bell sounded to announce that noon had arrived just as I was losing myself in my thoughts once more. In an attempt to locate Ariana before the b*tchy squad discovers us both, I grab my bag and bolt from class. I assume she is waiting for me in the mess hall because she has a different class this period. I stumble over something and hit the floor hard, landing face-first. I am nearly there.

I look up slowly from the ground and notice a pink high heel. Great, the b*tchy squad found me just as I was about to be free. I picked up my bag from the floor and slung it over my shoulder, then turned to face the owner of the stiletto. Kylie. Molly and Brianna are right behind her, both with gloomy smiles and a sad glimmer in their eyes.

"I apologise; I did not realise you were there." Kylie spoke while feigning complete innocence. She swept her long auburn hair over her shoulder, blinked her eyelashes, and burst out laughing. Before Kylie stopped giggling and shoved me against some lockers by the nape of my neck, Molly and Brianna swiftly followed suit. Maybe the next time, Helen, you should keep your head down like a good little omega! Then perhaps you could see where you are heading." She spit in my face. She took hold of my arm and yanked me to the ground so her shoes were eye level with mine. "You are lucky, you little wh*re, you did not break my shoes." When she spoke, I looked up, which was a mistake, and she booted me in the chest, leaving me in the centre of the hallway as the three of them headed towards the mess hall.

A bit before the last class of the day, I propped myself up against the lockers so that Ella could tend to my wounds. I winced from the ache in my chest as I slowly got up when the bell sounded. At least I do not know any of my students in the last lesson, which is in painting, my favourite subject. I located my seat at the rear of the space and took out my pens and sketchpad. I adore drawing. Simple stick figures were all I could do at first, but as I have gotten older, my skills have grown. I have a lot of drawings in my sketchbook of my friends and family from Silver Shadows. I conceal it inside my mattress so that anyone visiting my room is unable to find it. We have a straightforward lesson today because it is our last year and I already have enough credits from my classes to graduate, so we can draw whatever we like. Naturally, I will return to the drawing I was doing last week. A magnificent wolf with flawless black fur and penetrating blue eyes. I do not know why, but I keep coming back to this design to add more details. The school day is over. The teacher comes up to me as I am gathering up my belongings because I am the last one to leave the classroom.

"Thank you so much for being in my class this year, Helen. You have been an excellent student and your artwork has all been beautiful. Please let me know if you decide to enter the art industry after graduating. I would like having you create some paintings and drawings for my house." stated Miss Davids. I gave her a sincere grin, nodded my head, and waved good-bye.

Ariana and I met at the front of the school and headed back home. Ella began to pace my mind once again as we arrived at the packhouse's main door. She was snarling and crouching low, her hackles rising. Sensing danger, I opened the front door gingerly. I looked up at the man shaking Alpha Raphael's hand; he and his guests were standing off to the side, saying their goodbyes. He looked me square in the eyes and then grinned evilly as if he sensed Ariana and I walking in.Curious about what is making the unidentified man smile, Alpha Raphael turns and notices us standing there. He gives me a long, glaring look, and I start to feel awkward about all the attention. I sprinted up to my room and fell onto my bed, trembling with panic as memories of the night Uncle James and I ran away came back to me.