LUNA

Noel's anxiety coupled with the fact that the weather forecast for today was inconclusive left her sitting on her front porch waiting impatiently to sight the girls. Luna her daughter alongside her two best friends Samara and Nova have always spent time at each-others house every week over the year, it was her turn to have the girls over today. Initially she had been reluctant to host them today due to the fact that she was down with fever but she knew doing that would ruin the other parents schedule as it was now more like a tradition for the girls and their parents. Sitting on the pink swing stationed on her porch she reminisced. She remembers how it has been for Luna when they had just moved here, Luna had troubles adjusting here not because she did not like it here it was probably the situation that led to them moving that triggered her and before she could even intervene her jovial daughter always full of life was becoming a shadow of herself. Coupled with the fact that she suspected she was being bullied even though she reassured her severally that there was no such occurrence. Noel knew Luna's intention was to prevent her from worrying still she knew she had to do something about it, the day she finally went to voice her suspicions in the school and investigations was carried out and the bully was detected she had never felt more proud of herself as a mother. She remembered Luna rushing to give her a hug after school, she smiled at the memory they had both sat on the kitchen floor and cried their eyes out. Luna had met the girls soon after. The excitement of her daughter making new friends had made her bring the up the idea of the sleepover only that they would also spend the whole day, so she could not summon the courage to cancel out on them considering the reluctance their parents had at first. Not just their parents every other parent would not even let their kids around Luna after they realised she had her when she was a teen including the fact that her dad is not in our life. The girl's parent finally got over that and agreed so she had her reputation to protect hence the girls in her house although she could hardly serve had a guardian to them due to the fever.

Tired of sitting waiting for them she stands more restless now the weather was getting bad by the second she had to go in search of them only she had no clue what so ever were they could be. The last thing she wanted to do was call their parents but what could she do now she was so worried. Noel climbed down the stairs wrapping her grey coloured silk scarf around her neck once again as if she was not worried enough it kept trying to fall off her shoulders, it was the one closest in sight and she really did not have the luxury of searching for another presently. The wind shifts the windbreaker furiously in all directions adding yet again to her worry, dry leaves rustle as the wind sweeps them against each other across the street. Noels first thought is to check the neighbourhood playground after all it was just a few blocks away, she shivered from the effect of the breeze on her body though it probably was more from the fever. She was finally at the playground which was totally empty to her disappointment, not surprising though what was she thinking why did she think her sixteen year old daughter and her friends would choose to be at the playground.

She sniffed her nose definitely angry at this point Luna staying out so long knowing fully well how worried she would be not to mention the raging wind they were definitely going to have a long talk after, she should know that it is definitely not okay to wander off without asking for permission which she would not have granted due to the weather frustrated she turned to go home. After what seemed like an eternity she could see her front porch from a distance.

"Mother" Luna called.

Noel turned her gaze towards the direction of voice was coming from, her daughter was standing beside her friends who were seated on the swing. She stormed towards her daughter as if she was given a shot of glucose.

Noel gripped Luna's shoulders yelling

"Did you learn nothing."

As if she was suddenly reminded of Samara and Nova's presence or the look on Luna's face told her so, no one could really tell only that she turned towards them and said

"Girls can you give us a minute." Giving them the best smile she could bring herself to give considering how irritated she was.

"Sure." They managed to mumble before going to Luna's room to give them their much needed privacy.

"Did we do something? I am really starting to feel like we did." Nova asked.

"Maybe we should not have asked her to come with us; I knew this was a bad idea." Samara said absentmindedly totally engrossed with touching up her lip gloss.

"Touching up your makeup are you serious? Now that you do not look gross maybe we should take a snap..." Nova said.

"I was thinking we should make a video, you know we have not had one in a while. Hand me your phone it has better video quality than mine, I will look for the direction perfect for the video. I could really use Luna's help with that." Samara said.

"How long is it going to take really, We have at least three nice video and Luna is still not here. Nova grumbled.

(The door opens and Luna walks in with a tray of snacks)

"Finally you are here." Nova coos

"Yeah I am back so sorry mother made me prepare this, she wanted to make sure you girls were comfortable. Where is Nova?"

"Right here..." Nova said walking in from the balcony.

"Are you alright?" Luna asked.

"Never felt better." Nova said.