“Moms are supposed to look after their kids. So say what you want, but really, you just wanted to get away and forget about us. You abandoned mom when she needed you the most. how can you be so ungrateful?” She isn’t even looking at me as she says all of this, and I feel so fucking raw right now.
“You know, my entire life I’ve put you on a pedestal. Well done for lowering it yourself. I hope you get better soon, Pop, but I won’t stand here and listen to this.” I turn my back to her with my hand on the door, but Poppy always likes to have the last word.
“The doctor loves you. He was telling me, and that’s why I looked so happy. You put that look on his face, not me, but you don’t deserve him. Go back to your Academy and fifteen guys. At least you’ve got something to keep you bu-bu-bu…”
Her eyes are no longer focused, and she’s completely stopped trying to talk, I call for a nurse but I already know it’s too late. I’ve lost her and our last conversation turned into a fucking argument, I just hope this won’t be our last conversation.
9
It’s Time To Change
I feel strange being at the Academy after seeing my mom, but what surprises me is how relieved I feel. I’m here, sitting in my room, staring at my closet, and I know I’ve been holding back ever since I came here. Trying to be the perfect sister and daughter, while also trying to be as fair to Cole as possible, but I’m done. I have never claimed to be perfect, so why do I keep trying to be? No, I need to be a better Academy girl and I need to pick a guy to fuck.
I throw on my satin dressing gown before I leave my room and knock on D’s door. I’ve just got to hope she’s not busy in there with Bradley, otherwise, she may not welcome me disturbing them.
“Homegirl, what are you doing knocking on my door?” she asks with a bright smile, and I return it in full force.
“Actually, I need your help. If you’re willing?”
She steps out of her room and closes the door and follows me into mine.
“What can I do for you?”
“I need you to teach me how to do my makeup better than just a layer of mascara, and I need to match this outfit.” I show her what I’ve picked out, and once she’s picked her jaw up from the ground, she gets to work.
She has me facing the mirror, and she sets out everything we need, and talks me through it step by step. It’s a long process, and I make a lot of mistakes, but this girl has the patience of a saint. By the end, the transformation is insane.
I pull my hair back into a loose braid and look at myself. It’s always strange to see myself wearing makeup, but it will be even stranger once I get dressed. My eyes are shadowed in gold with black lining them and flicking out at the sides. I have blush on my cheeks which definitely helps me to look less pale, and shiny deep red lipstick.
I disappear into my bathroom and throw my clothes on, and Daria’s face is a picture when I step out.
“Damn, homegirl. You look hot. Ooh, I have the perfect thing to go with this.” She disappears out the door before coming back a few minutes later with a leather jacket that I’ve never seen her wear before.
I slide it on and step in front of the full body mirror and barely recognize myself. The dress I’ve chosen has a strapless glitter gold top with a sweetheart neckline and a black tulle, layered skirt that falls mid thigh, and would definitely show my ass if I wore this outside in the wind. I have a pair of black lace, thigh-high stockings on with a flower print and a pair of boots. D’s jacket completes the look perfectly, and I’m so grateful for her help.
“Not that I’m not digging your new look, girl, but what’s brought all of this on?” she asks as I thread my arm through hers and lead her to the door.
“All my life I’ve been trying to be the perfect daughter and sister and I’m tired of it, D. I want to see what it’s like when I stop trying so hard and just let go. My stomach is twisting, and I feel as though I’m about to throw up, but I want to try.” I’m feeling a little self conscious now, and I can’t help but second guess my decision, but fuck it. If Poppy wants to be a grade A bitch for the first time we get to speak in years, then I can damn well do this.
We walk into the mess hall, and I grab my breakfast before setting it down on the table, D follows suit and takes her seat. Instead of sitting down, I roll my shoulders back and head over to the guys’ table.
I can feel everyone watching me, no doubt eager for a show and to see what I’m about to do.
Scott sees me first and a low whistle passes from him as the other guys start to look. Tucker looks curious, Tom looks… well, he doesn’t look bored, that’s for sure. Aeron is staring at me hard and licking his lips, and Emmet looks as though he’s about to blow, if the tick in his cheek is anything to go by.
“Hey, Aeron,” I say easily, as I come to a stop beside him and place my hand on his shoulder.
“Little Zero, you look… fuck. You make me want to take you back to my room.” It comes out husky, and electricity shoots up my spine.
“What’s stopping you?” The entire table goes quiet at my words, and his eyes widen as he shifts in his seat until he’s facing me fully, and I step between his legs. His hands slide up my thighs until they disappear under my skirt and fall on my ass.
“Fuck,” he blows out and I give him a smile.
“Not yet,” I say with a smirk, before I turn around and head back for my table. I’m not brave enough to do anything more than that, but I will be. Look out Harkwrights. A different Luna has returned to the Academy, and she’s ready to experience the other side of this place.
We leave the mess hall and someone grabs me from behind, spins me until I’m pressed up against the wall, and Aeron is devouring me with his eyes and holding me in place with the full length of his body.
“Bradley’s waiting for you, Daria,” he says without taking his eyes off me, and she hesitates before giving me a gentle smile and joining up with Bradley.
“Can I h-help you, Aeron?” I look up at him through my lashes, and he sinks his teeth into his bottom lip.
“Oh, I’m sure you can,” he replies as he grips my hand and places it on his cock, his pants the only barrier between us.
His hand slides up my skirt until he’s cupping and rubbing the heel of his hand against my sweet spot, making me pool in my panties. My teeth sink into my bottom lip, and he uses his thumb to release it, pulling it down before he licks at it.
It’s the closest we’ve ever got to kissing - other than when I got high - and I’m about to lose my mind, when he’s pulled off me and Emmet looks between us furiously. He’s nearly the shade of a tomato and his eyes are more like slits, as he takes us in before he slams him into the wall. He pushes his arm against Aeron’s throat.
“Let him go, please, Emmet,” I plead as I grab hold of his arm and try to pull him off. He levels me with a stare before pulling away. He looks at me as though I’m nothing, before sending his fist into Aeron’s stomach.
“Star, I suggest you run along before I lose what little control I have left,” he growls, I may feel like trying new things, but crossing Emmet any further is definitely not on the list.