Yours, The Rejected Luna

She kept running, not caring in which direction, she just had to get away. This isn’t real, it can’t be! She thought to herself. She heard howling behind her, she changed direction and picked up her pace. She came to a clearing, the moonlight reflecting off the small lake, and decided to stop to catch her breath. Her long auburn hair was a mess, no longer in a tight braid but with strands sticking out in each direction from all the running; she leaned against a tree and closed her eyes. Not caring that she can feel the roughness of the bark through her thin t-shirt. Just need a minute, she thought. Out of nowhere, a twig snapped but before she could open her eyes, a hand wrapped around her neck pinning her against the tree. She knew it was him, he had found her. “You thought you could run?! FROM ME?! He yelled at her, tightening his grip around her neck. “Please, just let me go” she pleaded. She could feel the tears already starting to fall, but she knew he wouldn’t give a damn. She didn’t bother to fight and resist, since this would only anger him more. He moved closer to her; she could feel his heavy breathing on her neck as he got closer to her ear. “I’m never letting you go. You are MINE.” With his hand still wrapped around her neck, his other hand went under her t-shirt, feeling her smooth skin while slowly making his way up to her right breast---- KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. I close my book, look at the door and sigh. Ugh, it was just getting good, I can’t help but think as I stood up from my grey fabric couch and walked to the door, already knowing who was standing on the other side. I open the door and sure enough, there she is, her hands on her hips, her ginger hair curled and looking at me like she wants to punch me in the face. “Hey Lucy.” “Hey yourself,” she looks me up and down and shakes her head, “Please tell me you’re not wearing that.” I look down at my clothes, a pair of grey sweatpants and my Gryffindor sweater Dad had gotten me that year we went to Universal Studios. “Uh, no sorry. I lost track of time, come in. I’ll just be a minute or two.” Lucy continues to shake her head and comes inside. Her heels clickety-clack on my hardwood floor and plops down on my couch. After I close the door, I can’t help but grin as I admire Lucy’s outfit. She always dresses to impress, tonight is no different; she wears a slim black dress with matching black heels and being a natural beauty, she wears little to no make-up. “You look great, Lucy.” She smiles at me, showing off her pearly white teeth, and flips her curls over her shoulder. “I know. Now hurry up, Nat. We don’t wanna run any later than we already are.” I shake my head and walk to my bedroom; I can’t seem to wipe the smile off my face, Lucy always had that effect on me. Lucy and I have been friends since high school and have been inseparable ever since; she’s like the sister I never had. Now, both in our thirties, we can’t go a day without talking to one another. I sift through my closet and find a pair of dark blue jeans and a light pink tank top with ruffles down the front. After I change, I look in the full-length mirror and do a twirl and am happy with the look; with my pale skin, I totally pull off light pink. I pick out a pair of dark flats since I’ve never been one to wear heels. At 5’9, I’m tall enough, the one time I did wear heels, I felt like a giant towering over everyone else. I glance at my hair, which has a natural curl to it and reaches a few inches past my shoulders and decide to just put my brown hair up in a high ponytail. I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup, so I just settle with some pink eyeshadow and add a touch of mascara. I take one last look in the mirror and can’t help but feel self conscious. I’ve never had the slim body or abs and I’ve settled with the fact that I never will. With my broad shoulders and wide hips, I’ve always a chunky stomach and even my thighs were on the thicker side. I’ve come to terms with that and I’m ok with it, but I still can’t help comparing myself to other girls my age. I tried dieting and working out, but I just couldn’t stick with having a workout routine. Don’t kid me wrong, I still go on my usual walks around the block or at the park a couple blocks away from my apartment building, so that’s something at least. I grab my gold clutch and make my way back to the living space, back to Lucy. I’ve lived in this apartment for just over two years now and I still feel the loneliness. A few years ago, when my mom passed, it broke my dad and I, we were the three musketeers; we did everything together. When she fell sick, we tried to stay positive; did all the necessary treatments but nothing seemed to have worked. I still remember like it was yesterday, when she got the news about the cancer, she looked at me and told me that she was worried about me because it meant I would have a higher chance of getting it. She always put others before herself and that’s one of the many things I miss about her. Roughly two years ago is when dad passed. Knowing he was reunited with mom helped ease the pain but only a little. I closed myself off after he died; I barely left my room, let alone the house but that didn’t stop Lucy or Ryan. Ryan. I hate how even now just thinking about him still hurts. We were together for almost three years, and he was my everything. Those brown eyes always drew me in, his dark curls begged me to comb my fingers threw them. We were both head over heels for one another but that all changed when my dad passed; I changed. I was no longer the smiley always chipper girl, I was depressed and no longer craved his touch. We used to cuddle all the time, but I couldn’t get out of my bubble. I needed my space, but he didn’t like that. I pushed him away so much, that he found comfort with another, Lucy’s older sister. Yeah, that one hurt, a lot. It broke my heart; shattered it into a million pieces, but I only had myself to blame, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Lucy never gave up on me though; she knew I was hurting, in more ways than one. Now, standing in the doorframe, watching her sift through the pages of one of my many home renovation magazines, I can’t help but appreciate that I have her in my life. She glances up at me and grins, “much better.” “Thanks, we should head out. Sorry for keeping you.” Lucy waves me off like it’s no big deal, “no biggie, girl. You know I was only teasing you before.” She stands and walks over to me and gives me one of her infamous bear hugs. “I love you girl, always.” I hug her back, “right back atcha.” She releases me and places her hands on my shoulders, “lets have some fun tonight. Who knows, we might get lucky.” I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Fat chance.” She looks me over and smirks, “You’re definitely showing enough up there, any guy who doesn’t see you is an i***t. You never know.” I shrug her hands off me and we head out. “I’m not looking for anything serious and you know me, I’ve never been into having a one-night stand, unlike Jules. Will she be there tonight?” “Yeah, she just texted me when you were getting ready, she’s already grabbed us a table.” “Perfect.” “Let’s get outta here and enjoy our girl’s night. You never know what might happen.” “Ever the optimist.” I close the door and lock up just as Lucy swings her arm in mine. “Nat, this is gonna be a night to remember, you’ll see.” Since I’m on the sixth floor we take the obvious choice and head to the elevator, which is just a few doors down, and I can’t help but shake my head at her never ending confidence. Little did I know, after tonight, my life would never be the same.