Chapter Five: When the Past Walks Back In
Monday morning arrived too quietly.
Moon stood in front of the school gates, her books clutched tightly to her chest. Jacob had already arrived with her and, after a quick hug, told her he was going to greet some friends. See you later, he had said with a smile before disappearing into the crowd.
A strange heaviness settled in her stomach.
The suspension was over. Everyone knew it.
The Carters.
Jenna Cruz.
They were back.
Moon exhaled slowly and lifted her chin. She reminded herself that she was no longer the girl she used to be. Everything had changed. She had changed. She would not bend for anyone again.
As she walked through the hallway, whispers followed her like shadows. Some students glanced at her with admiration, others with curiosity. A few avoided her eyes entirely, already sensing the tension brewing in the air.
Moon walked taller.
Then she saw them.
Jenna Cruz stepped into the hallway wearing a fake smile, her eyes locking onto Moon's instantly. The Carters followed behind her, their expressions cold and unreadable. For a brief moment, the world seemed to pause.
Rachel moved closer to Moon.
"Whatever they're planning," she whispered, "you're not alone anymore."
Moon nodded. She wasn't afraid.
Not this time.
"Hey," Jenna said loudly, her voice dripping with mockery. "You know this is all your fault, right? If it wasn't for you, none of us would've been suspended."
Moon didn't respond. She kept walking toward her classroom.
That was when Jenna's brothers stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
Moon stopped. Calm. Silent.
Jenna moved closer and shoved her hard.
"I'm talking to you, slut."
The slap echoed through the hallway.
Gasps filled the air as Jenna staggered back, her hand flying to her cheek where Moon's fingers had left red marks.
"What the fuck?!" Jenna screamed. "This bitch slapped me!"
Moon didn't hesitate. She slapped her again.
Phones came out instantly. Students started recording.
"I'm not taking this from you again," Moon said, her voice steady. "Stay away from me."
Jenna lunged at her.
The two girls collided, grappling and shouting until staff rushed in, pulling them apart. Within minutes, they were both being dragged toward the principal's office.
Fear crawled up Moon's spine, but she refused to show it.
Inside the office, they were told to call their parents.
Jenna did immediately.
Moon froze.
How could she call them? Her parents were back in the States. She didn't want to worry them. She didn't want to be a problem.
What she didn't know was that Jacob had already called them.
He told them everything—how Moon was scared, how she was being blamed, how she was asked to call them but didn't know how.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones thanked him.
"Don't tell anyone we're coming," Mr. Jones said calmly. "We'll take the fastest flight."
By evening, Jenna's parents were already seated in the principal's office.
"This girl shouldn't even be in this school," Jenna's mother snapped. "She's ruining the school's image. Expel her. Immediately."
"Excuse me," a firm voice cut in. "Did I just hear you say you want my daughter expelled?"
The room fell silent.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones had arrived.
The principal went pale. One of the school's most powerful board members stood right in front of him.
"No one is expelling anyone," the principal said quickly.
Mr. Jones nodded. "Call the girls. I want to hear exactly what happened."
Jenna rushed to her parents as soon as she entered. Moon walked in slowly, her heart pounding.
Her mother crossed the room and pulled her into a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry you keep going through this," she whispered. "No one is touching you. No one is expelling you."
Mr. Jones knelt slightly in front of her.
"Don't be afraid, sweetheart. Tell me everything. I'm here."
Moon told the truth. Every word.
When it was Jenna's turn, she lied—twisting the story, blaming Moon.
"This is all her fault," Jenna's mother snapped.
"She called me a slut!" Moon shouted.
The room went dead quiet.
Mr. Jones turned to the principal.
"So you're keeping a bully in this school?"
The principal swallowed hard and apologized repeatedly. Jenna's mother protested, but Mrs. Jones stood firm.
"I believe my daughter," she said calmly. "She wouldn't hurt anyone without reason. And no girl should be calling another girl that word."
The decision was immediate.
Jenna was punished and assigned school sanitation duties. One more incident, and the consequences would be severe.
Mr. Jones thanked the principal and left with his family.
Outside, they asked Moon why she hadn't called them.
She froze.
"We are your parents," her mother said gently. "Your legal guardians. If anything happens, you tell us."
Moon nodded, tears in her eyes.
They went shopping afterward—laughing, teasing, healing. Moon bought a bracelet for her mom. Jacob picked earrings. They got their father a watch.
Dinner followed. Wagyu steak. Lamb shank. Laughter.
"I was proud when I heard you slapped her," Mr. Jones said, grinning.
Jacob demonstrated the slap, and they all burst out laughing.
Later, Moon received a call from her grandfather. She told him everything—how loved she felt, how safe she was. He promised to visit.
When they got home, Mr. Jones handed Moon a credit card with her name on it.
"For whatever you want."
She hugged him tightly.
That night, Andrew called.
He told her how proud he was. About his game. About their date.
Moon smiled as she drifted to sleep, his voice still in her ear.
"I love you," he whispered softly, realizing she had already fallen asleep.
And for the first time in a long time, Moon slept peacefully.
Boom—Rachel and Jacob showed up just before kickoff.
Moon spotted them in the stands, waving wildly, and her lips curved into a real smile. Rachel had painted Andrew's number on her cheek, while Jacob stood tall beside her, arms crossed like a proud bodyguard.
Andrew saw them too.
His eyes found Moon instantly.
That smile—the one he saved only for her—spread across his face.
The game was intense. Fast passes. Loud cheers. Sweat and adrenaline. Andrew was still the one. Focused. Strong. Untouchable on the field. Every time he scored, his gaze flicked toward the stands, toward Moon.
As if he was playing just for her.
When the final whistle blew, the crowd erupted.
Andrew's team won.
They stayed for a while after—laughing, teasing, replaying moments from the game. Jacob joked about how Andrew almost tripped. Rachel exaggerated every move until they were all laughing so hard it hurt.
For a moment, everything felt easy. Normal. Happy.
As evening settled in, Andrew turned to Moon.
"So," he said softly, stepping closer, "are you ready for our date?"
Moon's heart skipped.
Later that night, Andrew took Moon to a quiet lakeside overlook.
The water was still, reflecting the moonlight like glass, the world hushed around them.
They walked side by side, close enough for their hands to brush, though neither reached out just yet.
Andrew broke the silence gently.
"Are you really okay?" he asked. "And… are you sure about this date?"
Moon slowed, then stopped. The words she had been holding in finally spilled out—about the bullying, the years of feeling unseen and unwanted, how it hurt to exist in places where love never found her. She spoke of being chosen for once, and how terrifying that feeling was.
Andrew didn't interrupt.
He didn't try to fix anything.
He just stayed.
When she finished, he turned to her, his eyes steady and warm.
"I'm so proud of you," he said quietly. "Your strength. Your courage. So many people wouldn't have survived what you endured—and you're still standing."
Her breath trembled.
"I can't promise perfection," he continued, lowering his voice. "But I promise you this—I will never let you stand alone again. I'll be your safe place."
Moon smiled through tears.
"You already are," she whispered.
He lifted his hand, wiping the tear from her cheek, and pulled her gently closer. Their foreheads touched, breaths mingling, before his lips met hers.
The kiss was slow. Unrushed. Deepening as the world fell away.
"Do you trust me?" Andrew murmured.
"Yes," Moon replied without hesitation.
The night wrapped around them—soft laughter, whispered words, shared warmth. They lay together beneath the stars, talking about everything and nothing, the quiet broken only by the water and their breathing.
"I wish we could stay here forever," Moon said softly.
Andrew pressed a kiss to her hair.
"We'll make our own forever," he said.
And for the first time, Moon believed it.
After the date, Andrew drove Moon home.
The drive was quiet in the best way—soft music playing, the city lights blurring past the windows. When they pulled into the driveway of the Jones mansion, Andrew noticed another car parked nearby.
Rachel hadn't gone home.
She was already there.
Inside, the three friends gathered around the dining table, laughing and playing a simple game while dinner was served. It felt light and easy, like a small pocket of happiness Moon wished she could freeze in time. Rachel teased Andrew endlessly, Jacob jumped in with jokes, and Moon laughed until her cheeks hurt.
For once, everything felt normal.
When it grew late, Andrew and Rachel stood to leave. Goodbyes were exchanged at the door, hugs shared, promises of seeing each other soon whispered.
Andrew leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Moon's forehead.
"Goodnight," he said softly.
She smiled.
"Drive safe."
Andrew waved one last time before driving off with Rachel beside him.
Moon stepped inside slowly, still floating in the warmth of the night.
That was when Jacob came running toward her.
"Moon," he said quickly, nervous energy written all over him. "I need your help. I… I need to talk to you about something."
She frowned slightly, concern flickering in her eyes.
"What is it?"
Jacob hesitated, then took a deep breath.
"There's this guy," he admitted. "I like him. And he told me he likes me too."
Moon's expression softened, but she stayed quiet, letting him continue.
"I don't know if I should trust him," Jacob said. "I don't know if he's serious or just flirting. I don't want to give my heart to someone who'll break it."
He looked at her then—really looked at her.
"I want you to help me find out who he really is. I need to know if he's genuine."
Moon reached out and squeezed his hand.
"I promise," she said firmly. "I'll help you find out everything about him."
She smiled, half protective, half teasing.
"And until I approve this David—"
Jacob blinked. "You already know his name?"
She smirked.
"—you're not falling into the hands of anyone who might hurt you."
Jacob laughed, relief washing over his face.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Moon pulled him into a hug.
"Always," she replied. "You're not alone either."
And as the house settled into silence, Moon realized something quietly beautiful:
They were all learning how to love—carefully, bravely, and together.
It was dawn, and everything felt perfect. The soft golden light streamed through the windows, but Moon was still fast asleep, curled up under her blankets. Morning had never been her thing.
Jacob, on the other hand, was already up and dressed, preparing for school. He peeked into the kitchen, asking the housekeeper, "Has Moon woken up yet?"
"No, sir," she replied with a smile.
"Oh my goodness!" Jacob shouted, a slight panic in his voice. "We're going to be late!"
He sprinted to Moon's room and froze for a moment, watching her sleep so peacefully. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her head.
"Wakey, wakey, Sleeping Beauty," he teased.
Moon mumbled something incoherent, blinking her eyes open. "Uh… what time is it?"
Jacob shook his head, trying not to laugh. "It's past seven! If you don't get your ass up now, we'll be late!"
Moon groaned dramatically. "I'm doomed…" she said, sitting up. "In my last class, we were divided into six groups for a presentation, and I'm leading mine!"
Jacob laughed, shaking his head. "All the more reason to move it, Sleeping Beauty."
Moon swung her legs over the bed, hurried to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and took a quick bath. Minutes later, she came downstairs, dressed and ready.
Breakfast was quick but cheerful. They grabbed their packed lunches, said their goodbyes to the housekeeper, and dashed out the door, the morning sun warming their backs as they headed to school.