The Rejected Luna Strikes Back

im

y legs feeling like they

g a strange emptiness; I never really und

rtain solace in this emptiness; it's the

d at the foot of my bed,

ack, and Kimberly immediately launched into

just watching me with a calm, steady gaze, as

ent way. Ayesha doesn't take crap from anyone

o take decisive action. But she's the "Do-now-regret

s a warm brown complexion that makes you crave

and muscular, whereas I'm five f

head. Her touch is soft and soothing, and I lean

this, Kimmy," she sa

time to figure

g her hands away. I look into her brown eye

s me smile. She seems

hout losing it. I don't want to punish myself anymore

but her resolve remains firm.

the edge of the bed,

is way. I thought he u

her shoulder. Kimberly looks at h

decision, Kimberly.

pt for the rustle of fabric. I stand to help, but

nd they're already doing enough. I quietly back away, my movement

armth about it, like it was both cha

y, which somehow felt calming again

e used to say nothing

ts always smelled like him-a mix of hi

nd is still there, books we'd read together on laz

le personal tou

g against the wall that he swore he'd play more, and his hoodie dr

ng. How did he feel

" Akira finally breaks her silence. I don't answer th

rs, even though it was his. We shared so man

nt. The warmth is gone, like all those memories are jus

to us. On one side, Harry's clothes dominate-neatly hung shirts in a range of da

y, he wore only bla

h one perfectly pressed and lined up

. He's their beloved Harry, and his cloth

t in place-leather boots, dress shoes, and a

, skirts, and sweaters, in no particula

ped from hangers, and a small collection

re far less tidy than his-heels, flats, and boots scat

I'm going to

ble kind of chaos, a visual r

, solid and predictable, while mine felt out of plac

hem into my travel bag. I double-check t

hat I didn't pack as efficiently a

n this room like it ju

of storm that rattles the windows

ome pack meeting, but neith

stening to the rain beating against the

d canceled the meeting

y suggested w

culous, but he gave me a mischievous grin-it was the first time I'd seen hi

e closet, pulling out blankets, pill

ded and barely standing, chairs and p

mped and squished, lau

thing outside of that moment. He looked at me then with this soft smile, a kind of s

fort for hours, talking abo

little fortress, I felt safe. I rememb

rfect nights where tim

little world. And for that short while, nothi

heels making a soft thump-t

. We both come to a halt and for a mom

he silence, hi

k into your parent's pl

e, my voice cl

ne of your

sh past him and head for the door, my

his question lingering

erly are done w

the windows but turns

o sitting with her

out the tears she's been holding back, huge, wracking

Harry, and the best Luna you could have ever been, alright? I wa

surprised to see my parents standing there, my mom looking elegan

urn to them.