Luna

It was a cold and quiet afternoon.

Luna and Cadence walked side by side along the snowy path in the park, their hands tucked into heavy coats, the snow crunching beneath their steps. The sky above them was gray, but the lampposts cast a warm glow on the fresh snow.

“You know,” Cadence began in a reflective tone, “there’s something I’ve never told anyone at school.”

Luna looked at her, curious, but didn’t want to push. “What is it?” she asked softly.

Cadence lowered her gaze, tracing a circle in the snow with the tip of her boot. “I was adopted when I was just a baby. I don’t know who my real parents are.”

Luna remained silent, surprised. Cadence always seemed so confident, so perfect, and this revelation left her momentarily speechless.

“I never would have guessed,” she admitted finally.

Cadence smiled faintly. “I don’t like to talk about it. Not because I’m ashamed, but because I don’t want people to look at me with pity. My adoptive parents are incredible. They’ve given me everything. They’re such amazing people, you know? But also very human. They taught me to be grateful for what I have and to see the good in people.”

Luna paused for a moment, looking at her. “That must be hard, though.”

Cadence shook her head with a small smile. “Sometimes, yes. But I’m happy. The only thing I’ve ever felt I was missing is a sibling.”

Luna looked down. “It must be nice being an only child. No one to compare yourself to.”

Cadence chuckled lightly. “Maybe in some ways. But it can also be lonely. You know, I think if I’d had a sister, we could have talked about everything. Shared secrets.”

She turned to Luna with a sweet smile. “But now I don’t feel lonely anymore. Because I’ve found a true friend in you.”

Luna felt a strange warmth grow inside her. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

That week, at the reading and writing club, Josh stood in the center of the room. “Today, we’ll be reading your essays about love,” he announced. “Who wants to go first?”

Luna’s hands were tightly gripping her notebook. She had written a story, a small piece that reflected what she felt, but the idea of sharing it with the others terrified her.

A couple of students volunteered first. Luna listened, trying to calm her racing heart, but when Josh looked at her, she felt a knot tighten in her stomach.

“Luna?” Josh asked with an encouraging smile.

Luna hesitated, but then nodded slowly. She picked up her notebook, opened to the page, and cleared her throat.

“My story is called… Two Planets,” she said, and then began to read:

**“Once upon a time, there were two planets orbiting far from each other. Both were beautiful, but they felt a void inside, as if something was missing.

One day, a mysterious force pulled them closer. They had never met before, but when they exchanged their first rays of light, something changed. They began to talk, to learn about each other. They discovered that, despite their differences, they shared the same dreams.

Over time, their light grew brighter. They were no longer alone in the universe. They reflected each other, and the emptiness they had felt began to fill.

They were no longer two separate planets. They were one system, whole and radiant.”**

When Luna finished, the room was silent for a moment. Then Josh clapped his hands. “Beautiful, Luna.”

The other club members applauded, and for the first time, Luna felt truly seen—not as a shy, quiet girl, but as someone with something to say.

That evening, Luna found Celestia sitting at her desk, surrounded by college brochures. Her brows were furrowed as she read through a long paragraph.

“What are you doing?” Luna asked curiously.

“I’m trying to decide which colleges to apply to,” Celestia replied without looking up. Then she paused and turned toward her. “It’s strange to think that soon, I’ll be leaving. The house will feel so empty without me.”

Luna sat on the edge of the bed. “Yeah… it’ll be strange.”

Celestia smiled, then hesitated. “You know, even though we argue a lot or don’t always understand each other, I’m going to miss you.”

Luna looked at her, surprised. “Really?”

Celestia nodded. “You’re my sister, Luna. You’re special, even if I don’t say it often. I want you to know that.”

Luna suddenly felt closer to her sister. “I’ll miss you too,” she said softly.

The next day, Luna left the theater after rehearsal, and as she walked through the hallways, she passed by the gym. She stopped when she heard laughter and voices coming from inside.

She moved closer to the slightly open door and peeked in. Celestia was in the center of the court, the basketball in her hands. Her movements were confident, her smile radiant.

Luna stood silently, watching her sister. She was a natural leader, loved by everyone. Yet, in that moment, Luna didn’t feel envy, but a deep sense of admiration.

Before heading home, Luna walked through the hallway where the anonymous note bags were hung. Hers was there, identical to the others. She didn’t expect anything, but she slipped her hand inside to check.

Her fingers brushed against a piece of paper. She pulled it out, her hands trembling slightly.

It was a drawing: a crescent moon sketched in dark blue ink.

Luna stared at it, incredulous. Someone had thought of her. Her heart pounded as she wondered who it could have been.