Chapter 12
I found myself lost in my diary, pouring out my thoughts nearly every day.
It felt necessary to share my feelings, as my options for conversation were limited.
It had been over two weeks since my dad left.
I hadn't seen Marco at all—not on the streets and not even on the bus.
Emily still avoided me, and while I had seen Jessica a few times at her house, our conversations about my parents and Marco remained surface-level.
My mom had been in bed for an entire week, and we hadn't exchanged a word. At the time, she was traveling to Rome again, returning home each night, but the atmosphere in the house remained strange—eerily quiet and devoid of life, filled with an unshakable emptiness.
I tried reaching out to my dad, but our call was brief; he mentioned needing time alone to figure things out. I missed him, but he assured me we would see each other sometime this week.
The next day marked a significant event: the school fashion show. Mom wouldn't be attending, nor would anyone else. Zane kept giving me these peculiar, intense looks, yet we hadn't spoken either.
I grabbed my purse and headed into town, unfazed by the cold. I plugged in my earphones and lost track of time. I needed a few supplies from the stationery store, but more importantly, I was longing to see a smile.
Upon arriving, I found the store bustling with people. I waited patiently for it to clear out, watching Elias as he moved swiftly behind the counter, always wearing a cheerful expression—until he finally noticed me, and we were alone.
I could see in Elias’s eyes that he was likely aware of what had happened with Marco and probably my dad too.
“How much do you know?” I inquired.
“Probably more than you do,” he chuckled.
That was likely true; in a small town, news travels fast. I couldn't count how many times I'd heard rumors about myself.
Sometimes I found myself curious to hear more, just to discover how the stories unfolded.
I wished to live in a place where no one cared, where gossip didn't thrive.
After collecting what I needed, I paid for my items. As Elias handed me my change, he unexpectedly took my hand.
“If you need to talk, I'm here,” he said, his eyes filled with pity—something I wished I didn't have to see.
“I'm okay; I suppose it's just life,” I replied.
“I saw your dad earlier; he came to the store across the street to buy cigarettes,” Elias mentioned. I was taken aback—he had never smoked before. It was painful to imagine how hurt he must have been.
“Oh…” was all I could muster. I didn't want to delve into that conversation, so he did what he always did: wrapped me in a comforting hug.
“Everything will turn out fine,” Elias murmured softly into my ear.
“When will that be?” I questioned, as if his words held the key to my worries. He pulled back slightly and replied, “Life is like a roller coaster; after every drop, there's a rise ahead.” His wisdom never failed to impress me.
“It feels like this descent is never-ending,” I admitted, a hint of anguish in my voice.
“Then just think of the long climb that follows,” he said, his smile radiating warmth and comfort. I wrapped my arms around him in another embrace before making my way home.
I was nearly halfway when a car pulled up beside me.
“Luna, hey! Need a lift?” Andrea called out, his smile brightening as he rolled down the window.
“Oh, hi! I'm fine; I'm almost there,” I replied politely.
“Come on, it's freezing out here, and it's getting dark,” he insisted. He was right; the chill in the air was biting, and knowing he would keep pressing, I decided to hop in.
The car was brand new, still carrying that fresh leather aroma. Andrea was dressed in a blue striped shirt, tailored black pants, and polished shoes—definitely more formal than usual.
“So… I'm really sorry to hear about your dad,” he said carefully.
Of course, he was aware. “Your mom mentioned it to me,” he added.
Fantastic. Just what I needed—my mom spreading our family's troubles around like gossip.
But given that Andrea had been her business partner for years, perhaps she considered him a good friend.
“It's alright; things will work themselves out soon,” I replied, trying to channel the optimism I had absorbed from Elias.
“Yes, I believe that,” he said, offering me an encouraging smile as he glanced my way.
We arrived at my destination pretty quickly, and just as I was about to step out, he gently grasped my arm. I instinctively flinched and turned to look at his hand before meeting his gaze.
“Please tell your mom I said hello, and let her know she should stop by sometime—we have some matters to discuss,” he said, still smiling but maintaining his hold.
“I will,” I murmured, finally opening the door. He watched me as I walked away before driving off.
For a brief moment, my sick mind entertained the idea that my mom might have been involved with him too, but I quickly dismissed it.
I really didn't want to accept that possibility.
I felt lost, unsure of what to believe anymore.
The truths I once believed and the desires I thought I had were no longer the same; I had changed, and so had everything around me.
Later that evening, my mom messaged me to say she wouldn't make it for dinner, and I didn't bother asking why. I prepared a salad for myself, which I barely touched. I heard her come in later at night, and when she checked on me, I feigned sleep—as I wasn't quite ready for a chat.
The next morning, I was buzzing with excitement for the show that was set to kick off around 9 AM.
The auditorium was filling up with parents, more than I had anticipated.
As a designer, I had to select a model for my dress, and I chose Nicole, a first-year student with long dark hair cascading down her back.
She was stunning, with plump dark pink lips, a perfectly pointed nose, and big blue eyes that sparkled like the ocean.
Although she seemed a bit shy, she adored my dress.
While I was packing my things in the classroom, I noticed someone standing behind me.
“I heard about your dad. I'm really sorry,” Emily said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Are you actually talking to me now?” I was torn between feeling pleased and angry that she had stayed silent for so long.
“I shouldn't, but it's hard to see you in pain. I wish I could be there for you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Then be there for me,” I urged, stepping closer.
“I just… I…” Emily trailed off, staring at the ground without finishing her thought. Just then, some classmates entered the room to gather their dresses and accessories. Emily abruptly turned and walked away.
When I walked down the hallway, I spotted V and Jake chatting while glancing my way, but I decided to ignore them—it wasn't the day for confrontation.
The auditorium buzzed with noise as Nicole got ready to wear my dress alongside other models. I felt a wave of relief wash over me; she didn't need any more help, and I opted to take a seat to enjoy the show.
The stage was impressive, with a large screen displaying video clips of our school, and at the end, there was supposed to be a montage of our creative process.
The school had hired a videographer last month to capture not only our work but also to promote the school since enrollment had been low this year.
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me when I noticed that our DJ was Clous. How on earth did he end up here? He looked at me and smiled, and there was something unsettling about his expression—almost psychopathic. Just then, Emily sat down beside me, catching me off guard.
“There are no other seats; do you mind?” she asked, her gaze fixed on me.
“Not at all,” I replied, still in shock.
Everything was in place for the show to begin. Our art lab teacher took the stage to introduce our project, and the audience erupted in applause.
One by one, the models strutted down the runway. Some looked almost like real models, while others struggled to walk in heels. Thankfully, there were no mishaps. I thought it was going remarkably well, though I wished my parents could share in this moment with me.
I found myself lost for words when V approached us, leaning down.
“Hey, ladies! Isn't it amazing how many parents showed up today?” she said, beaming at us. I was taken aback. What was she up to? “I hope you enjoy the little video the DJ is about to play. I think your parents, Emily, will find it entertaining,” she added, a smirk on her face.
“What?” Emily gasped, going pale.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, horrified.
“You've broken a rule, and I have a feeling this will be quite the spectacle,” V said before leaving us. Emily’s face flushed red as she searched for her parents, who were eagerly watching the stage. Instantly, she burst into tears.
“You don't think she meant…?” Emily looked at me, her eyes wide and panicked.
“I don't think so. She wouldn't dare,” I reassured her, convincing myself as much as I was convincing her. I had to act quickly. I leapt from my seat and dashed behind the stage to find Clous. My heart raced with anxiety. I refused to believe what might happen.
I pushed through the chaos, and I heard Emily scream.
The auditorium fell silent. The video continued to play on the screen.
I looked at it, realizing it was just a collection of our class project clips.
Emily’s parents exchanged shocked glances while she ran away; I followed her, feeling both angry and relieved that it wasn't what she feared.
In the hallway, I noticed Zane stepping out of a classroom. He grabbed my arm, and I winced in pain.
“What the hell are you doing? Let me go!” I yelled, furious.
“Wait!” he shouted back.
“No, let me go!” I insisted, struggling to break free, but he tightened his grip on me.
“There's no recording,” he said firmly.
“What?” I stared at him, bewildered.