Boys Favourite

Luna had always believed that new beginnings were supposed to feel exciting. Nobody had warned her that they could also feel terrifying. She stood in front of the mirror in her small bedroom, adjusting the collar of her new culinary-school uniform for the third time. The uniform was simple—white chef's jacket, black trousers, and a small school badge stitched neatly above her chest. Luna stared at herself. "Eighteen years old," she whispered. It still sounded strange. She had finished high school only a few weeks ago, and now she was standing in her bedroom preparing for her first day at culinary arts school. She would turn nineteen in August. A whole new year of her life was beginning. "Luna!" Her mother's voice came from the kitchen. "You're going to be late!" "I'm coming!" Luna grabbed her phone and slipped it into her bag before taking one last look at herself. "Okay," she whispered. "Let's do this." Their house wasn't big. It was a small three-roomed house that Luna had grown up in with her mother. There was the kitchen and sitting area, her mother's bedroom, and Luna's bedroom. It wasn't fancy, but it was home. She was an only child, and sometimes the quietness of the house made her wonder what it would have been like to have a brother or sister. But she had gotten used to being alone. Her mother had raised her by herself for most of Luna's life. Recently, though, there had been someone else. Her mother's boyfriend, Marcus. Luna hadn't completely figured out how she felt about him yet. He wasn't a bad person. In fact, he was usually kind to her. But having her mother date someone after years of it being just the two of them was something Luna was still getting used to. When she walked into the kitchen, her mother was standing by the stove, placing eggs onto a plate. "You look beautiful," her mother said. "Mom, it's just school." "Your first day isn't 'just school.'" Luna smiled. Her mother walked over and fixed the collar of her uniform. "There. Perfect." "You said that five minutes ago." "And now I mean it." Luna laughed. Her mother looked at her for a moment longer, her expression becoming softer. "I can't believe my baby is going to culinary school." "Mom." "What?" "I'm not a baby anymore." "You'll always be my baby." Luna rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop smiling. Her mother handed her the plate. "Eat something." "I'll eat at school." "You know I don't like that answer." "Fine." Luna sat down and began eating. Her mother sat opposite her. "So," she said, "are you nervous?" "A little." "A little?" Luna raised an eyebrow. "Okay. A lot." Her mother laughed. "You're going to be fine." "I don't know anyone there." "That's the point of meeting new people." Luna sighed. "I just hope everyone isn't already friends." "They won't be." "You don't know that." "I'm your mother. I know everything." Luna laughed. Just then, a car horn sounded outside. Her mother's expression changed slightly. "That's Marcus." Luna glanced toward the window. Her mother stood up. "He's giving us a lift." "Mom, you didn't have to—" "I know. But he offered." Luna picked up her bag. "Okay." As they walked outside, Marcus stepped out of his car and smiled. "Morning." "Morning," Luna replied. He looked at her uniform. "First day?" "Yep." "Big day." Luna nodded. Her mother locked the door behind them. As Luna climbed into the back seat, she looked at the little house behind her. It wasn't much. But it was where she had grown up. Where she'd cried over exam results. Where she'd celebrated birthdays. Where her mother had worked hard to give her everything she could. And now Luna was leaving it every morning to chase something she'd wanted for years. Cooking. She didn't just want to learn how to cook. She wanted to become a chef. A real one. Someone whose food could make people stop talking just to taste it. Someone whose name could eventually be on a restaurant door. The drive to school was quiet. Luna watched the streets pass through the window, her stomach becoming more nervous with every minute. Then the school appeared. A large modern building with glass windows, neatly trimmed gardens, and students walking through the entrance carrying bags and folders. Luna swallowed. "Oh." Her mother turned around. "Ready?" Luna stared at the school. "Not really." Her mother smiled. "Go anyway." Luna took a deep breath. Then she opened the car door. The moment her shoes touched the ground, she felt like everything had changed. She adjusted her bag and walked toward the entrance. She didn't know anyone. She didn't know where her classroom was. She didn't know which teacher would be strict. She didn't know who she'd sit with at lunch. And she definitely didn't know that before the day was over, several people would already know her name. Especially the boys. Luna walked through the doors. A few students looked at her. She ignored them. At least, she tried to. "Excuse me?" Luna turned around. A girl with curly hair and a bright smile was standing behind her. "You're new, right?" Luna nodded. "Yeah." "I knew it." "How?" The girl laughed. "Because you have that lost look." Luna smiled. "That's obvious?" "Very." "I'm Luna." "I'm Nia." They shook hands. "Welcome to culinary school." "Thanks." Nia looked Luna up and down—not rudely, just curiously. "You're in first year?" "Yeah. I just finished high school." "Same." Luna smiled with relief. Finally, someone she could relate to. Nia pointed down the hallway. "Come on. I'll show you where we're supposed to go." Luna followed her. Neither of them noticed the group of boys standing near the opposite staircase. One of them glanced over. Then another. Then another. "Who's that?" one of them asked. His friend shrugged. "New girl." The boy looked at Luna again. She was walking beside Nia, laughing about something. "What's her name?" "Luna, I think." He smiled slightly. "Luna." He repeated the name as if he were trying to remember it. And just like that, Luna's first day at culinary school had begun. She had come to learn how to cook. She had no idea she was about to become the girl everyone would be talking about. The girl they would eventually call— Boys Favourite.