The House of Angels

No escape

Moon needed a good shower before lunch so she went directly into her room. As soon as she started showering she felt exhausted. She was angry, she didn't understand why everyone kept asking her about her father, about that past she was trying so hard to forget. After wrapping a towel around her body she applied her lotion and then went back into the room to put on some clothes, when she heard soft knocks on her door.

"Yes?"

"Moon, it's Josh. Can I come in?" She heard from the other side of the door.

"Not now, Josh. I'm tired." She answered softly.

But Josh just opened the door impusively.

"Aaahh Josh, go away I'm naked!" She yelled at him trying to cover her body further with that little piece of fabric.

"Ohh Moon, I'm sorry!" He yelled, covering his eyes and turning around. "I thought you were avoiding me, I don't know why I opened the door, just wanted to talk."

"Ok, go out, I will put some clothes on and then I'll let you in." She sighed resigned.

"Ok, ok, sorry again..." he muttered exiting the room and closing the door behind him.

Moon wore a pair of jeans and a black Iron Maiden's crop top before opening the door to let Josh inside the room. She sat on her bed, inviting him to do the same.

"I wanted to tell you I'm sorry if I've been nosy. I just... I don't know, maybe I'm concerned about you. But I respect you and I won't ask ever again." He said gently.

"I don't know what to say Josh. I'm sorry I snapped at you. Just don't ask me again and we'll be ok." She said standing up from the bed.

"Alright. Now I'll leave you alone, see you at lunch, Moon." He smiled gently before leaving the room.

Moon sighed and felt helpless. She knew that sooner or later the truth would come out.

There was no escape.

_

Moon had been sitting for half an hour on an armchair in Mr. Johnson's office as he kept asking her uncomfortable questions. He was a kind man in his thirties, with brown curls that reached his stubbled jawline, high cheek bones and two hazel eyes staring at her with empathy and friendliness. He was wearing a simple blue shirt not fully buttoned up, and dark jeans with sneakers. He wasn't the tipical psychologist.

Moon had imagined the usual middle-aged man with beard and glasses, exuding an intellectual aura.

"Miss Ravens...?" She came back to reality and her gaze met his.

"...yes?" She asked biting her bottom lip.

He looked at her intently, his pink lips pouted.

"Moon... do you need to take a break? You seem nervous and keep spacing out..." he stated frowning.

"I'm not comfortable. I'd like not to talk about my private life. I did nothing wrong, so why can't I just forget about it and go on with my life without worries...?" She simply said, shrugging.

"So is this what you want? You went through a lot and in my experience..."

"With all due respect, Mr Johnson I don't give a care about your experience. I'm sorry, I can't do this." She said, storming out of the room.

She ran into her bedroom, locking the door and slumping against it, crying bitter tears.

She knew they would keep asking and she knew she had to leave before they could be able to find out what happened.

"Moon...?" She heard a familiar voice at the other side of the door.

"It's ok, Josh." She just said.

"Can I come in?" Josh asked softly.

"Josh you promised..." she was instantly cut off.

"No, no. I don't want to mind your business. Just... cheer you up. What do you want to do?"

"Don't you have anything else to do? I mean, it's friday and I'm sure you could find better ways to spend your time." She sighed, hoping he would take the hint and leave.

"Yeah, Daniel wants me to get drunk with him and do naughty things to naughty girls, but I prefer cheering you up! What can I say? I'm a good friend!" He chuckled.

"We're not friends, Josh." Moon scoffed.

" 'Cause you don't want us to be." He said in a sad tone which made Moon feel like she was a total b**ch.

"Ok." She muttered, standing up and unlocking the door to let him in.

"So what do you want to do, babe?" He grinned as he entered the room.

"Anything?" She asked, raising a brow.

"Anything!" He said. "But no bank robberies or murders!" He added, after a moment, crossing his arms.

"Ok I want to have fun. I don't know, go to a party or to the beach!" She said.

"Daniel told me about a rave party down at the lake. If you come you will have your party and I will have an excuse not to get wasted with Daniel. It's a win-win solution!" He said smirking "But you will stuck with me all the time and if I tell you to do or not to do something you will listen to me without questions. So, you're in?" He added in a serious tone.

"Alright, I'm in!" She said and they fist bumped.

"We will have a great time! But if anyone asks you, you are eighteen, ok? So try to look older!" He said winking at her with a cheeky smirk.

"What are you suggesting?" She asked confused.

"I don't know, maybe put some make up on and show your pretty body... for me..." he said leaning closer with a beguiling and mischevious smile. She took a step backward, her back hitting the door, as his arms wrapped around her waist in a gently way. She swallowed hard, feeling funny sensations into her belly.

"Josh..." she mumbled, unable to tear her eyes away from his.

"We'll leave in a hour, babe. Get ready!" He winked before lifting her off the ground and spinning her around so she wasn't in front of the door anymore, so that he could exit the room.

Moon was ready exactly fifty minutes after.

She was wearing a black low-cut tight satin tank top with a black high-waist skirt, and tied a summer jacket at the waist in case it got colder later. She wore black summer boots, because she wasn't one to wear heels: she couldn't afford twisting her ankle or worse, breaking a leg, falling to the ground like a pear. And she looked like a T-Rex walking on heels so, no thanks!

She had applied a layer of eyeliner and mascara highlighting the cut of her doe eyes, a rouge matte lipstick and some blush. She had even straightened her hair and put on her favourite perfume.

She was now nervously biting her nails thinking about what happened earlier with Josh. Was he just teasing her? Was he flirting? Was he thinking about kissing her in that moment? She was all dressed-up beacuse he told her to... his eyes were sparkling with something she couldn't decipher while he looked at her, and the memory of his arms wrapped around her waist and his body pressed against hers made her wonder in excitement what was going to happen at that party. She was so nervous that she went to the bathroom and brushed her teeth again and applied more deodorant because she felt like she was starting sweating.

Then she grabbed her little black bag along with her phone and exited the room, only to be greeted by Josh who was approaching her door.

"Oh God, Moon! You look... stunning!" He stuttered while checking her out. He couldn't help it. His mouth and eyes opened wide.

"You don't look bad yourself!" She said looking at his navy t-shirt and faded jeans. His long braids tied up in a bun.

"You really need to stuck with me today..." he said, as if lost in his thoughts. "I asked Sister Mary for the permission to bring you along and she was very understanding. Although I didn't told her we were going to a rave. Did you see Daniel?" He asked.

"No, I was in my room getting ready, why? Was I supposed to see him?"

"She came to take a shower and change. The i***t was so drunk. I think he left with the girls from the bar. Let's go." He said pulling his keys out from his pocket.