Dark Moonlight: Lunar Rising

by N. M. Williams

  “Jason, I would love to be your girlfriend.”

  The two smiled at each other. Jason pulled her in for a kiss and hugged her tight. “I was hoping you would say that!”

  It was getting dark out. Jason decided it would be best for him to head back home. He did not want to be out too late that night. Skye walked him to the door and kissed him good night. She watched as he walked to his car and then drove away.

  She was happy. Jason was her first boyfriend. Jason was the one she wanted to be with. She had hoped this day would come where he would want her to be his. Homecoming court did not seem to matter that much to her. She could call Jason hers and right now that was all that she cared about.

  Chapter 12

  The following week felt like it flew by. Between going to school, studying for her anatomy exam, Jason asking her to be her girlfriend, and it being homecoming night, Skye felt like she did not have a chance to breathe.

  Skye and Roxy were sitting in their homeroom that Friday morning looking over their anatomy worksheets one last time. They needed to do well on that test.

  “I still think it was a little mean of Mr. Valentine to assign an exam the day of homecoming. It’s like he didn’t even care.”

  “Well, Skye, it’s not like everyone in that class is on court. Besides, he does have to stick with his agenda.”

  “Yeah, I guess. But it still doesn’t seem fair.”

  The bell rang and the girls were off to their anatomy class. “Hopefully Jason is ready for it, too.”

  Skye and Roxy took their seats in class. Jason came in behind them and sat next to Skye. They smiled at each other until Mr. Valentine handed out their exam. They were not allowed to flip the exam over until every student had a copy. Skye waited until the last person got theirs and then she flipped it over.

  “Alright, Skye,” Skye started saying to herself, “Remember your colors!”

  She looked at the sheet and then filled in all the blanks in no time. She knew the skeletal system like the back of her hand. In ten minutes, she had completed her exam. She walked over to Mr. Valentine’s desk and handed it to him. Roxy followed shortly after.

  Since everyone had until the end of the period to take the test, Skye and Roxy had to just sit there until the period ended.

  Skye: That was probably one of the easiest tests I have ever taken!

  Roxy: I agree! Your colors really paid off….again!

  Skye: :)

  Roxy: The pep rally should be fun today

  Skye: I agree. It’ll be funny to see everyone’s reactions, too.

  Jason had finished his exam. The three of them were still in anatomy for another thirty minutes.

  Jason: Hopefully I remembered all those bones. You got done real quick!

  Skye: Yeah lol. I made sure I knew everything going into this.

  Jason: I’m sure you did great! :)

  Skye: Thanks, I’m sure you did too!!

  Roxy: I think we get dismissed a little earlier today. We’ll need extra time to change.

  Skye: For sure! I think this may just be the best pep rally ever. Good thing Bobby came up with the idea.

  Roxy: Yeah. I’m still in shock Mr. Vance agreed to it.

  The bell rang to end anatomy. Roxy and Skye were off to finish their day. They both could not wait for the pep rally. More importantly, Skye could not wait until the football game. She was dying to know who the King and Queen were.

  Chapter 13

  The homecoming court was dismissed to get ready for the pep rally. They each had to bring in an outfit for their escort to wear. The girls had to dress like their escort, and the guys had to dress like their dates. Of course Skye picked the most glittery outfit she could find. After all, this was Bobby’s idea so it seemed fair that he had to wear something extravagant.

  Instead of the football team being announced into the gymnasium last, it was the homecoming court. The marching band had just finished playing their fight song.

  “Ladies and gentleman! Are you ready for your homecoming court!?” Mr. Vance could be heard over the microphone.

  “Ready Rox?” Skye asked, looking behind her at her friend.

  “Ready!”

  “Are you ready, Bobby?” Skye asked, giggling.

  “I can’t believe you brought this in,” Bobby said as he gestured towards his outfit. He was wearing a strapless, iridescent, glittery body con dress that Skye had picked out just for him. He did not need to know that she went shopping the day before. The last thing she would need was for someone to stretch out her clothes.

  Skye was dressed in baggy jeans, a Nike t-shirt, and a baseball hat turned backwards.

  “Here is your homecoming court!” You could hear the gymnasium erupting with cheers from all the students.

  “Skye escorted by Bobby!” Skye and Bobby entered the gymnasium as the students cheered and laughed.

  “Roxy escorted by Victor!”

  “Maddie scored by Jackson!”

  “Ashley escorted by John!”

  “Jessica escorted by Pete!”

  “Sarah escorted by Andrew!”

  “Laurie escorted by Nathan!”

  “Let’s hear it for your homecoming court!”

  Since it was a shorter pep rally, the homecoming court had to show off their outfits as if they were on a catwalk. Skye enjoyed it. She may have been dressed like a guy, but at least she did not feel too uncomfortable. Everyone could not help but laugh at how ridiculous the guys were behaving. They would bend over, pout, bat their eyes, as if they were trying to impersonate all the girls. Everyone got a kick out of it.

  Mr. Vance dismissed everyone for the school day. The homecoming court changed back into their normal attire. Tonight was the night that the homecoming King and Queen would be announced. Skye wanted so badly for it to be her.

  Skye and Roxy walked back to Skye’s house to get ready for the game. Instead of putting on their cheerleading uniforms, they would be dressing to the nines for tonight. They were both going to look amazing.

  Chapter 14

  Skye stood in front of her long mirror admiring herself. She had on a teal, one shoulder cocktail dress that was covered in sequins and glitter. She had on a shimmery, silver eye shadow with black eyeliner on her bottom waterline and black mascara to accent. Her silver, glittery stilettos was all that was missing. Her hair had a side braid in the front, followed by long curls all over. She looked stunning.

  Roxy came into Skye’s room dressed in a pink and gold, glittery, strapless body con dress. Her pink and gold eye shadow made her green eyes pop. She also had black eyeliner on her bottom waterline and black mascara to match. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun with short, loose curls falling out. Her gold pumps really made her outfit.

  “You look amazing, Rox! That dress is gorgeous on you!”

  “Thanks, Skye,” Roxy said smiling. “You look amazing, too!”

  The girls stood in front of the mirror looking at their reflection. It was homecoming night. The King and Queen will be announced during pre-game. Skye could not have been more excited.

  “If anyone should be Homecoming Queen it’s you!” Roxy said beaming at her friend.

  “Thanks, but you deserve it, too.”

  It was five thirty. Bobby and Victor would soon be there to pick the girls up. Skye grabbed her silver stilettos and her duffle bag for after the homecoming festivities. They would still need to cheer on the Jaguars that night as they take on the Greyhounds.

  Roxy grabbed her duffle bag and followed Skye out of the bedroom.

  “I can’t wait for Jason to see me tonight,” Skye said as they made their way to the living room. “I sent him some Snapchats, but he never opened them.”

  “I’m sure he’s just busy getting ready for the game.”

  “You two look absolutely stunning!” Cathy beamed, looking at both Skye and Roxy. “We need some pictures of the two of you! This is a moment you both will want to remember.”

  Cathy grabbed her digi
tal camera out of the television stand. Skye and Roxy both posed with each other, alone, with Tom, and then with Cathy.

  “These look perfect! I’ll have to get some copies to your parents too, Roxy. We’ll take some more pictures when we get to the stadium.”

  At five forty-five, there was a knock at the door. “That must be Bobby and Victor,” Skye said as she grabbed her duffle bag.

  Tom answered the door to let the boys in. Bobby was wearing a teal tie to match Skye’s dress where Victor had on gold to match the accents in Roxy’s. Cathy snapped a few more pictures of the girls with their dates before they left.

  “It’s kind of nice to not have to walk to the stadium tonight. I’d probably break a heel!” Skye said, laughing a little.

  “I agree. Plus we’d have to try to carry our cheerleading gear as we do it.” The girls sat in the back of Bobby’s Ford Mustang laughing at the thought of them doing that.

  “You guys look great, by the way,” Skye said from the backseat. “Those colors really do look great on you both!”

  “Thanks,” said Victor who was obviously uncomfortable having to wear a suit and tie. He would much rather be in his jeans and football jersey.

  The couples arrived at the stadium at six o’clock. Mr. Vance had already had the couples lining up by the football field entrance. Skye checked her phone one last time to see if Jason had replied to her. Nothing.

  “That’s so weird,” Skye said under her breath.

  “Still nothing from Jason?”

  “No. Not a thing. He never even opened anything either.”

  “He’s probably getting ready for the game, Skye. I’m sure he isn’t ignoring you on purpose. The guy is crazy about you!”

  Skye put her phone back in her duffle bag. She and Roxy went over to join Victor, Bobby, and the rest of the homecoming court by the entrance.

  “I want to congratulate all of you again. Make sure you take everything in as you stand on the field. This is something you will always want to cherish.” Mr. Vance said as the marching band took the field.

  “You will go on after the Star-Spangled Banner and Alma Mater. The King and Queen will be announced after everyone has taken the field and the football team has come out with the fight song.” Mr. Vance continued, “I wish you all the best of luck. You will meet back here at the end of homecoming for a group picture. The King, Queen, and two runner-ups will also take a picture together, followed by the King and Queen alone.”

  Skye looked back and Roxy and gave her a reassuring smile. Being on homecoming court together really made her senior year. Skye and Roxy have done everything together so it made sense that they would be on homecoming court together too.

  “Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, it’s homecoming night!” The announcer was heard all through the stadium. “Please rise, remove your hats, as the marching band proudly plays America’s colors.”

  The marching band began to play the Star Spangled Banner. Skye was feeling jittery and anxious. She never gets nervous, but she could feel the butterflies all around. Skye did not even realize the Alma Mater was being played. All she could think about was being out on the field with Roxy and her friends for homecoming.

  “Help me welcome your 2018 Homecoming Court!”

  “This is it!” Skye said, anxiously waiting her name to be called.

  “Laurie Brenson escorted by Nathan Chiver.”

  Applause could be heard throughout the stadium.

  “Sarah Henderson escorted by Andrew Peterson.”

  More applause could be heard.

  “Roxy Ramon escorted by Victor Trougher.”

  The stadium began to erupt. Roxy and Skye’s parents could be seen standing at this point, taking pictures.

  “Maddie Kreshan escorted by Jackson Phillips.”

  Applause and loud cheering.

  “Ashley Johnston escorted by John Remmington.”

  “Jessica Gibson escorted by Pete Preston.”

  Applause and cheering could be heard throughout the stadium with each couple called.

  “Skye Collins escorted by Bobby Wilson.”

  “This is it!” Skye said as she took a deep breath and walked out onto the field to join the rest of the court.

  She looked all around her. The marching band was standing in attention behind her. The cheerleaders were in front of the marching band. The football team was standing at the tunnels waiting for the fight song to be played. Skye could see her parents and Roxy’s parents in the crowd taking pictures of them. This really was a night to remember.

  The marching band began to play the fight song as the cheerleaders danced and the football team ran to their sideline.

  “This is it,” Skye said to Bobby. “It’s getting announced next.”

  Skye looked at the football team hoping to find Jason, but he was no where to be found. She began to feel an odd feeling inside of her. He never ignored her and he never missed a football game since he came to her school. Something was not right, but she did not know what.

  “It is my honor to announce your 2018 runner-ups!”

  Skye looked at Roxy with a nervous smile. She wanted so bad for the two of them to be Queen and runner-up.

  “Your runner-ups for homecoming King and Queen are Roxy Ramon…” applause could be heard “….and Pete Preston.”

  Skye was excited for Roxy and Pete. “Okay, King and Queen are next.”

  “Your 2018 Homecoming King and Queen are…”

  The stadium fell silent.

  “….Maddie Kreshan and Nathan Chiver!”

  Skye felt disappointed. She wanted nothing more than to be homecoming queen. She was very happy that Roxy had been runner-up. She was happy for Maddie, too, in a way. They were friends, but Skye still wanted that crown.

  The senior vice-president, Patrick Thermos, had brought flowers to Maddie and placed the crowns on Maddie’s and Nathan’s heads. The local newspaper was there to take pictures of the King and Queen.

  “This concludes your 2018 Homecoming!”

  The couples were escorted off the field and back to the starting point. A group picture was taken for the local newspaper, along with pictures of Roxy, Pete, Maddie, and Nathan.

  “I’m so happy for you, Rox!” Skye said as she embraced her best friend.

  “Thanks, Skye. I was really hoping you would have been crowned Queen. I know that’s what you’ve always wanted.”

  “It’s okay. Knowing my best friend was at least runner-up makes me happy.”

  Skye meant that. Anytime Roxy had a big accomplishment she was happy for her. The girls grabbed their duffle bags and went into the restroom to change into their cheerleading uniforms. The night was cool, but the coach still had them wear their cheer skirts.

  “Have you heard from Jason?”

  “No. He’s not on the sideline, either. What if something happened?”

  “I don’t know, Skye. I’m sure you’ll find out, though. I doubt he would never talk to you again.”

  The girls walked down to the field to meet with the other cheerleaders. The moon was full that September night. It gave Skye a feeling of uneasiness and amazement.

  Chapter 15

  The football game was not as brutal as the last. Halftime was wrapping up. The Jaguars were winning 21 to14. Without Jason, no one had to be taken off the field from injuries.

  Skye continued to check her phone for any texts, missed calls, Snapchats, or FaceBook messages. Jason had not tried to get ahold of her at all. She checked his FaceBook and Snapchat for any new activity and there has not been any.

  “You alright, Skye?” Roxy asked as she joined her friend on the sideline.

  “I guess. It’s just weird that he hasn’t replied to anything I’ve sent.”

  “I agree. It doesn’t seem like him.”

  The marching band was marching off the field as the drumline played Wild Thing. Both the Jaguars and the Greyhounds were seen entering the field from their locker room. Both teams took their place at the a
ppropriate sideline and began to stretch and get loose.

  “C’mon, it’s time to start cheering again,” Roxy said as she helped her friend up.

  Skye put her phone back in her duffle bag, got a drink of water, and picked up her pom-poms. It was still homecoming night and she was not going to let a boy ruin that.

  The Jaguars offense and Greyhounds defense were back on the field for kickoff. The referee blew the whistle signaling the game was back on.

  Skye and Roxy were held up in their holds cheering on the Jaguars. Skye kept scanning the crowd hoping to see Jason in the stands. She knew that if he was not on the sideline playing he would not be at the game at all. Still, she had hoped to catch sight of him.

  The game played on like normal. There were no injuries, other than your normal cuts and bruises. There were no huge hits.

  Maybe Jason was told he couldn’t play tonight because of his hitting? Skye thought as she got ready for a basket toss. It seemed to be the only logical explanation for his weirdness.

  With Skye lost in her thoughts she had not realized the game had ended. The Jaguars had beat the Greyhounds 28 to 17. She just stood there looking out onto the field. Roxy came over to join her.

  “Are you ready to head back to your place?”

  “Yeah..”

  Skye continue to stand there, a lost look on her face.

  “Rox, we only have one more home game left. Our last home game is in four weeks. It’s senior night. I’m not ready for our high school journey to end yet.”

  “We still have seven months left of school. Our senior year isn’t going to be over in four weeks,” Roxy said, giving her friend a nudge as if to cheer her up.

  “Yeah, but our cheerleading will be over. Sure we still have the basketball games, but football will be over. This has been a major part of our lives since we were five.”

  Skye just looked at her friend trying to fight tears. She loved cheering with her best friend. She loved being a part of her cheerleading squad. It just seemed too surreal to Skye. It felt as if it should not be ending.