1

LUNA

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED FALL. The warmth of scarlet and gold replaced the flamboyant colors of summer. The satisfying aroma of the earth with each breeze brought on a sense of comfort, and the sun's warmth was nothing but a subtle kiss. I gazed out my window as the ember-red leaves burned, fluttering with the wind with one last dance before reaching the ground. Tumbling fall leaves symbolized the transition from summer to a new school year: the inevitable senior year, the first and last. I had expected this day since freshman year, planning every outcome, and preparing for every epic moment. The last time to make memories with the ones I loved before we all parted for our next chapter of college—that fateful day of ambivalence.

The cheerful smiles of my parents greeted me as I entered the kitchen—a first-day tradition ever since kindergarten.

"If it isn't miss senior." My mother said with glee as she slid a plate before me: scrambled eggs, one pancake, and two slices of bacon. Another first-day tradition. I groaned in delight as the aromatic scents invaded my nostrils. It delighted both the eyes and the palate. My mother always had a flair for cooking.

"Are you excited?" My dad questioned before taking a generous sip of orange juice.

"I'm nervous but excited." I said, as I cut through the pancake like butter.

"That's normal."

"I cannot slack off; Stanford has a no-slacker policy."

My feeble attempt at lightheartedness did not quite reach my face, a million butterflies were swarming through my stomach.

" Stanford isn't the only opportunity." My dad said with furrowed brows. "There are always options."

"It's the only option."

My boyfriend, Austin, and I had dreamed of attending Stanford together for as long as I could remember. An awkward game of Seven Minutes in Heaven at Sophia Henderson's thirteenth birthday party set the foundation of our whirlwind romance, and we have been in love ever since. We had a relationship that many envied—a love at first sight, destined to be. We established plans for our future: graduating, attending Stanford, completing our doctorate, and having an early retirement with our kids and grandchildren. My parents, however, did not feel comfortable with me planning my entire future around Austin, but how was I supposed to think of a future without him when he had been a major factor in my past and present?

"I cannot believe it's your senior year." My mom uttered, a dazed look in her eyes. "Julie would have been so proud."

Julie Wilder was my mom's best friend. They met on their first day of college when they became roommates and became inseparable ever since. However, we lost Julie too soon.

"She would be so proud of Hudson." My mom mumbled, tears highlighting her eyes.

Hudson and I were best friends. We were even born one day apart. I was born on November 24 th and Hudson arrived twenty-six hours later. Our fateful friendship ended in a brutal demise when we were twelve years old. We were inseparable, needing only each other, but in life, people are forever or temporary. Hudson Wilder was temporary. From cherished friends to bitter enemies, Hudson and I were as sorrowful as Brutus and Caesar. Despite my constant brewing hatred for Hudson, no one deserved to grow up without the ones they love, to have them taken away too soon. Death was inevitable, and so was heartbreak. Loving someone comes with the greatest cost.

"You better get going. You don't want to be late for school." My mother said, as her smile failed to reach her watery eyes.

?

The earthy breeze whispered through my pores as I sauntered towards my car. I gazed at the sky, painted in hues of soft blue, adorned with scattered clouds that hinted at the change of weather.

"Morning, neighbor." The exasperating voice echoed across the street.

I rolled my eyes as I spotted Hudson standing beside his deathtrap of a motorcycle with a cigarette clutched between his lips.

"You know if that motorcycle doesn't kill you, the cigarettes will."

"Careful, I might think you care, Snow."

I winced at the dreaded nickname. It was a constant reminder of one of the most embarrassing moments of my childhood, and Hudson made it his sole purpose in life for me never to forget it. I got the dreaded mockery at Julie Hawks' eighth birthday party—the theme being Disney. I dressed up as Snow White, eager to flaunt my new dress. Everything was going according to plan until I tripped over a log and fell backward, drenching the back of my dress in wet mud. I was called poop stain for weeks until everyone forgot about it, but Hudson never did.

"Stop calling me that." I said, but I only received a howl of laughter in return.

"Your reaction is too priceless to stop."

I narrowed my eyes and clenched my jaw, but my attempt at looking threatening was in vain as he erupted into laughter once again. I scoffed as I thrust my car door open and slammed it with an equal amount of aggression. Hudson Wilder remained the perpetual bane of my existence.

**

The hallways stretched out before me, bustling with the energy of echoes and laughter. As I walked past a group of girls, they lifted their heads and smiled in silent greeting. I responded kindly, offering them a friendly smile.

The fluorescent lights overhead cast a bright glow, illuminating the polished tiled floors. They echoed in my steady footsteps. Posters and bulletin boards lined the wall, but I ignored them. I needed to get these piles of books into my locker.

With a soft click, the locker door opened, and the familiar scent of lavender infiltrated my nostrils. I arranged the books on my shelf as I attempted to shake off the flutter of excitement in my stomach. It had been months since I'd seen Austin.

As I slid my English textbook into place, a pair of muscular arms wrapped around my waist. I gasped in surprise, my heart leaping with joy as his familiar cologne wafted around me.

"I've missed you." Austin said, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

I turned around in his arms, my eyes lighting up as I gazed into his deep honey-brown orbs.

"I've missed you more." I said, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight embrace.

"If you lovebirds could pull apart for two seconds so I can hug my best friend, that would be appreciated."

I pulled away and gazed into the fierce eyes of my best friend, Maya. We'd spend our summers together in our mundane town, but her parents decided she should spend some time with her family in South America before going to college. This was the longest we had been apart ever since kindergarten. I embraced her in a long, overdue hug.

There were subtle changes in her appearance. Her once chestnut brown hair had streaks of cherry highlights. She even had a new style to go with it, a trendy outfit that complimented her figure.

"You need to tell me everything that happened in South America."

She nodded her head before turning to Austin.

"Nice to see you, Austin."

I had never solved the mystery of Maya's dislike for Austin, but I appreciated the effort she put in to be cordial.

"Maya." He said with an equal amount of disdain. "I will see you later."

He kissed my cheek tenderly before walking off, wanting to catch up with his friends before class started.

"So, are you ready to rule this place?"

A sly grin tugged at the corner of her lips, hinting at the mischief brewing within. I couldn't help but soak up her enthusiasm.

"I have been ready for this day for years."

**