Moving to Austin, Texas, USA, wasn't a big deal for Luna's family but it was a big deal to Luna. It means making new friends and joining a particular clique which she wasn't good at. In her former school, she rarely had friends which made her to be lonely. She was a straight A student which made people jealous of her because they can't see her back.
To Luna, it was a normal and frustrating thing, but to others, it was a big deal. Her parents were strict with her which made her to be secluded from the outside world, unlike her sister who was a star athlete in her school.
Camilla was Luna's role model who she looked up to. Her sister was bold and smart and Luna wished she was like her.
"Luna, don't stress about it. I don't get why you're so freaked out", Camilla said, over the phone while Luna packed her stuffs.
"Easy for you to say. You have friends and mum doesn't bother you. You're so perfect. Excellent!" Luna said, zipping up her box.
"You have to open up to mum, you know. You're lucky that dad isn't on your case", her sister said.
"Right", she said.
Luna heard her name from downstairs and stood her box up with her other carry on bag.
"Coming, mum", she answered, picking her phone. "I need to go, sis. I'll call you when I land".
"Alright, see you soon", Camilla said and ended the call.
Luna carried her two suitcases with a pink duffel bag and her backpack and went downstairs with them. Her parents' company car was parked in front of the house. She put her stuffs in the trunk of the car and entered the car with her headphone, connected with her phone.
"You guys can move. I'm ready", Luna said, going through her phone.
"This is a good opportunity to travel the world, Luna. Stop making a face", her mum said.
"You'll enjoy it. I promise", her dad said.
"Whatever", Luna said, rolling her eyes.
Putting her headphone on, Luna got lost in a different world as they moved to the airport.
*. *.
Dropping her phone, she removed her cloth and entered the shower. She sacrificed her 8am class just to talk with her sister and she had to leave for the next class. After shower, she dressed up and put her hair in a bun before grabbing her stuffs for her next class.
Opening the door to the class, a lecturer who was teaching, stopped and looked at her.
"Camilla Massimo, you're late", he thundered.
"I'm sorry. I had a family emergency", Camilla said.
"You are lucky you're one of our star athlete. Come in", he said, going back to the podium.
"Thank you", she said and entered the auditorium.
One of her teammates who was a business major like her, waved to her while tapping the empty seat beside her.
"You're late", Giulia said.
"I'm sorry. I was speaking with my sister. They are leaving for Texas today and she needed some motivation", Camilla said.
"Gaia, she's lucky to have you as a sister", her friend said.
"And I'm lucky to have you as a friend and as a teammate", Cam said.
"Aww! You're so corny", Giulia said, with a chuckle.
"Camilla, Giulia, don't make me separate the both of you", the lecturer said.
"We're sorry, sir", the girls said with a slight chuckle.
After the class, Camilla and Giulia went to the cafeteria to eat before their other teammates joined them.
"Hello, captain. Hello, Giulia", they greeted.
"We have practice after class. The coach says", Camilla said. "I think another event is coming up".
"Remind me again why I'm an athlete", Giulia said, laughing.
"To push your limits, challenge yourself and strive for excellence", another athlete said.
"We'll meet up at the field after our class. Don't be late. I have another class in few minutes", Camilla said.
"Roger that, captain", they said, before leaving the table to meet their other friends.
After a little snack, Camilla and Giulia left the cafeteria to their next class.
*. *.
To Luna, she's in a different world altogether. In the plane, she was planning on leaving her old life behind and starting a fresh one. She vowed to make as many friends as possible, but what she didn't know was that, all her efforts will be met with indifference and rejection.
After arranging her stuffs in her room, she took her bath and went down for dinner. Her favourite snack was served as she didn't have appetite for food.
"Ilaria, eating too much junk food will make you feel bloated", her dad said.
"C'mon, dad, I've been eating Spanish food in Amsterdam. Give me a break, please", Luna said.
"I'm just saying", he said, raising his hands in innocence.
"Okay. I'll reduce the amount of junk food that I eat. Now, are you happy?" Luna said.
"Very good", he said smiling.
After putting Spaghetti Tacos on her plate, Luna started eating before she heard her mom's voice, entering the dinning room.
"Okay, thank you so much", her mum said, before cutting the call.
"What was that about?" her dad asked.
Mrs. Rachael squealed as she sat down and dished out her food before she started talking.
"Well, I was on call with the proprietor of Millwood High School and luckily for you, Luna, there's a space for you there. Your uniform will be here soon", she said.
"Are you serious?" Luna asked, dropping her fork.
"Yeah! You'll be starting tomorrow by 8", she said, taking a sip of her juice.
"Why do you like making decisions for me? I'm a grown woman. You'd never do that with Cam. Why me?" Luna asked.
"Camilla is older than you. She deserves respect", she continued eating.
"And I don't?" Luna scoffs. "You've got to be kidding me".
"Watch your language, young lady", her mom said, slamming her hand on the table.
"Dad, are you in support of this?" Luna asked, facing her dad.
"I'm sorry, darling. Your mum knows what's best for you", he said.
"Wow! That's all", Luna said, standing up.
She entered the kitchen to collect some cheese balls but there was nothing in the cupboard.
"I'll get some snacks for you later", her mom said.
"Don't worry. I'll get them myself", Luna said, leaving the kitchen to the front door. "I'll be back".
With that, Luna left the house and walked out of the estate to flag down a cab.
*. *.
In the mall, Luna was trolling down with the cart, picking out different snacks when she heard a voice, directed at her.
"With those kind of snacks, you'll get fat or chubby", he said.
"Sorry, who are you?" Luna asked, forgetting she's in America. "I'm sorry. You don't hear Spanish. Who are you?"
"I'm Gabriel. You?" he asked.
"I'm Luna. You're French? I can tell by your name and accent", she said.
"Yeah. You speak French?" he asked.
"A little, but I'm fully Spanish, both from my father's and my mother's", Luna said.
"My mom's French. My dad's Spanish. I can hear and speak both languages fluently", he said.
"Ok, nice", Luna said, still picking out more snacks.
"Let me show you more snacks. Follow me", he said, showing Luna the way.
"Alright", she said.
Picking out more snacks, Luna and Gabriel spent time talking and laughing in Spanish, till Luna's phone rang and she picked it up.
"Hello", Luna said.
"Where are you?" her mom asked from the next line.
"I'm on my way", Luna said and cut the call. "I need to leave".
"Let's pay and I'll drop off at home", he said, walking to the counter.
"You drive?" Luna asked.
"No, dummy. I'm with my driver", he said, laughing. "I need my full license first, but that will be when I turn 18".
"Okay", Luna nodded.
After paying for all the items, Luna and Gabriel left the mall and headed to Luna's house. Removing her things from the trunk of the car, Luna thanked him.
"Thanks a lot, Gabriel", Luna said smiling. "I'm feeling relieved about everything that happened since I arrived".
"It was nothing. I guess I'll see you some other time", he said. "Goodnight".
"Likewise", Luna said, as he drove off.
Luna entered the house and arranged her snacks in the kitchen cupboard and carried some to her room. Her mom came in and dropped her ironed uniform in her wardrobe.
"Thanks, mom", Luna said, laying on her bed.
"It's fine. I know our relocation will affect you but keep an open mind and enjoy yourself here", she said.
"I promise you nothing, but I'll try, for you", Luna said.
"That's my girl", her mum said, pecking her forehead. "Wake up early tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay, mum", Luna said. "Night, mom".
"Night, love", her mum responded.
Closing the door after putting off the light in Luna's room, Mrs. Rachel entered her room to prepare herself for the next day.