"Fractured Reflections"

"The sun peeked through the curtains as I rushed to get ready for my morning class. My name is Luna, and today felt like a race against time. With only an hour to spare, I hurried downstairs for breakfast. Laughter and conversation floated up the stairs as I approached. My family sat together, faces glowing with joy as they shared stories over a meal.**

**I hesitated on the steps\, torn. Would my presence disrupt their happiness? The warmth and contentment at the table stirred something deep within me—a longing to belong\, to share in their joy."**

**"I brushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter. I’d eat at school. The idea of intruding on their laughter felt unbearable. My chest tightened with a weight I couldn’t shake. Steam filled the bathroom as I showered\, but it didn’t melt the cold knot in my stomach.**

**When I finally went downstairs\, silence greeted me. The dining table was empty\, stripped of the joy I’d glimpsed earlier. It was as if their laughter had been a dream\, leaving behind only an ache. I ate alone\, my appetite gone\, the house feeling emptier with every bite.**

**After finishing\, I wandered into the living room. My dad sat quietly\, his presence steady against the storm of emotions inside me. Pain twisted in my chest\, sharp and unrelenting\, but I stepped closer\, seeking an anchor."**

**"Dad\," I began\, my voice trembling. My eyes darted around the room\, avoiding his gaze. He was focused on the evening news\, his expression unreadable.**

**The weight of dread pressed down on me. "Dad\," I repeated\, barely a whisper. "I... I need some money."**

**He finally looked up\, his eyes narrowing. "What is it this time\, Luna?" His tone was sharp\, laced with impatience.**

**My heart pounded painfully. "I... I don’t have enough\," I stammered\, voice trembling.**

**He sighed heavily\, reaching into his wallet. Tossing a few bills on the table\, he returned his attention to the TV. "Here\," he said gruffly. "Don’t waste it."**

**I picked up the money\, my fingers shaking. "Thank you\," I whispered\, my voice barely audible. Then I fled the room\, the weight of his disapproval settling heavily on my shoulders."**

**I arrived at school and spotted my friends walking together. I ran to catch up with them. "Hi\, guys\," I greeted.**

**"Hi\, Luna\," Amelia replied. "We thought you weren’t coming today."**

**I noticed them exchanging glances\, but I just smiled. "Yeah\, I thought so too\, but maybe there’s a quiz or an exam\, so I decided to come anyway\," I said\, forcing another smile. They smiled back at me\, though I could feel the tension beneath their expressions. I knew they’d stabbed me in the back before\, but I always kept my mouth shut.**

**We reached the classroom and took our seats\, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.**

**The teacher walked into the classroom\, and we stood up. "Good morning\, class\," she greeted. "Good morning\, Ma’am Grace!" we replied in unison. "You may all be seated\," she said\, her voice steady. She began the lesson\, her words filling the room\, but my focus wavered. One subject flowed into the next until lunchtime finally arrived.**

**"Girls\, let’s grab lunch at McDonald’s\," Olivia suggested\, her tone commanding as usual.**

**"Luna\, want to join?" Victoria asked\, flashing a quick smile.**

**"Yeah\, sure\," I said\, forcing a grin.**

**As we headed out\, I glanced at my three friends. Olivia\, the queen bee\, reveled in her status. Victoria\, the cheerleader\, exuded confidence\, and Amelia\, the athlete\, always radiated energy. Then there was me—the smart one. Together\, people called us the "Perfect Queens." Hideous\, right? I know. But we embraced the name\, if only to live up to the expectations tied to our wealthy last names. We never mingled with those outside our circle—it was an unspoken rule to uphold our image.**

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