The Brightest Stars

Luna

I give her a small smile and shake my head. "It's okay. I know you meant it as a...." I clear my throat and give her a wider smile. "Let's just focus on tonight."

"You're right. Big day tomorrow. Study hard." Ash nods firmly and opens another large book.

I laugh at her and shake my head. "It's a good thing I'm not a nurse. Hey. Aren't you gonna do anything for Valentine's Day?"

Ash gives me her smile that shows her pretty dimples on her white cheeks. "Oh girl....we're not all as lucky as you. But I prefer to have a date with my Nursing books. Go have fun." In those shining eyes there's a hint of sadness after she says this.

So I give her a warm smile and say, "Well. Valentine's Day isn't just about couples. It's also about friendship. Therefore I'll see this facetime as a Valentine's hang out with my friend."

Ash scoffs and shakes her head. "You lawyers always try to turn the situation around." We share a laugh and Ash brings the camera closer as she takes her phone. "Well. I'll talk to you later, Luna. Thanks for calling and you look great! Don't hesitate! Make some love, girl!"

With one last laugh, I shake my head and say, "Goodbye, Ashley. You better pass that exam!"

"You betcha!" With one last smile, she hangs up and I turn off my phone.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening makes me jump. It must be Xander. I told him that my father would be out tonight. I left the front door open for him....

But my heart falls when I recognize those heavy steps up the stairs. I quickly look around for my robe to hide my outfit. My hands start to tremble as I hide my makeup. Everything seems to move in a dizzy circle. My hands find my door as I panic to close it, but he's there already.

Nausea is so strong on me as I smell his alcohol close to my face when he enters. He walks past me, shoving me to one side. I ignore the pain in my shoulder and frantically watch as he looks around my room. I hesitate before saying, "Do you need anything?" I try to hide my trembling voice, but he notices it.

Oh no.

He turns around as he goes by my desk. His eyes study my outfit and scoffs. "Where are you going like that?"

"Um...I'm hanging out with some friends."

He does a drunk laugh and points at my dress with raised brows. "Do you all usually go so well dressed? What? Are you going to hit the club or something?"

"No..."

He narrows his eyes at me and comes closer as he observes my face. I swallow hard and try to keep my eyes away from his. "You look just like your mother..."

His fingers go up my cheek and tenderly touches my cheek. I have an urge to run away from those hungry eyes. Relief runs through me as I see anger run through his expression and walks away from me. He angrily punches my wall and yells, "I would've been here with her! Today! Gone out to dinner like we used to on Valentine's Day.....What did I do wrong?"

For the first time, I can see that despair in his posture. A genuine sadness for my mother. For the first time, I feel for him.

But I don't dare to move away from where I am. My feet are stuck to the ground. He sighs and sits on my bed. Defeated. But then he looks down at his empty bottle of beer and throws it at my window. My eyes grow wide at the million pieces of glass on my floor.

He turns to look at me and I step back to stay against the wall. He walks up to me and grabs the back of my hair. I yelp at the pain running through my head as he pulls my hair and keeps me there. He whispers to me, "This is all your fault. She left because of you and--" He stays silent as he fights back tears.