Luna

Three months had passed since the start of school, and while many things stayed the same, something inside me was beginning to change.

The days hadn’t gotten any easier. My classmates still ignored me or commented on how I was “too quiet,” and at home, the comparisons to Celestia hadn’t stopped. But now I had something that was mine: the clubs.

Every Friday, the reading club became my refuge, a place where I could be myself. Every Monday, the theater club tested my courage, pushing me to do things I never thought I could.

That Friday, I arrived at the reading club with a strange nervousness in my stomach. I had finally decided to talk about the story I was writing. I’d never shown it to anyone before, but I felt the need to share at least a part of it.

We sat around the table as usual. Rose, a girl with brown hair tied back in a braid, was flipping through a poetry book. James, a tall boy with a black hat and a notebook full of doodles, was enthusiastically describing a scene from the fantasy novel he was working on.

“Luna, do you have something to share today?” asked the club leader, a teacher with a kind demeanor and an encouraging smile.

I cleared my throat, clutching the notebook I’d brought with me. “Yes… I’m writing a story. It’s not finished, but… can I tell you what it’s about?”

“Of course!” Rose said with a smile. The others nodded, curious.

I took a deep breath. “It’s a fantasy story. It’s about two sisters, Venus and Selene. They’re princesses, and they rule a kingdom together. But there’s a problem: all the subjects adore Venus. She’s beautiful, charismatic, and seems perfect at everything. Selene, on the other hand, is always in the background. She feels invisible.”

I paused for a moment, trying to see if I was boring them. But James motioned for me to continue.

“Selene starts to feel trapped by the darkness growing inside her. It’s as if this darkness takes on a life of its own. And little by little, Selene…” I hesitated, then lowered my gaze. “Selene begins to change. She becomes someone different.”

“Wow,” James said, leaning back in his chair. “That sounds like a really interesting story. What happens next?”

“I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “I haven’t written much. But I think Selene has to confront her darkness. Maybe it’s not entirely bad, but… I’m not sure how to move the story forward.”

Rose looked at me kindly. “You know, maybe Selene’s darkness doesn’t have to be an enemy. It could help her find her strength. Just an idea.”

Her words made me think. The club leader smiled. “That’s a beautiful idea, Luna. And you’ve described Selene’s emotions so well. I think a lot of people can relate to her.”

For the first time, I felt like someone truly understood what I was trying to say.

Monday afternoon, I arrived at the theater club with the usual feeling of anxiety. The theater room was full of voices and energy, and Jasmine, the club leader, was already organizing the group for warm-ups.

“Today, we’re going to do something a little different,” Jasmine said, clapping her hands to get our attention. “Each pair will work on a scene from a script I’ve prepared. I want to see how you bring the characters to life.”

My heart raced. Acting in front of everyone was one thing, but playing a character felt even more intimidating.

Pharynx, the boy I’d met on the first day, walked over to me. “Hey, want to pair up?”

“Sure,” I said softly, though inside I wanted to say no.

Pharynx handed me a sheet with the script. “It’s a scene where two friends have a fight. I’ll play the one trying to make peace, and you’re the one who’s angry.”

“Angry?” I repeated. I wasn’t sure I could fake anger, but Pharynx smiled.

“Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. I’ll help you.”

When we started the scene, I felt stiff and unsure. But Pharynx’s calm, steady voice guided me through the lines. By the end, Jasmine clapped her hands.

“Well done, Luna!” she said. “You’re starting to find your voice. Keep it up.”

Jasmine’s words made me blush, but for the first time, I felt proud of myself.

That evening, as I sat in my room rereading my notes on Selene and Venus’s story, Celestia knocked on the door.

“Can I come in?” she asked.

“Sure.”

She sat on the edge of my bed, looking at me curiously. “How are your clubs going?”

“They’re going well,” I said.

“You seem to be enjoying them, huh?” Celestia smiled, but there was something in her eyes I couldn’t quite read.

“Yeah,” I admitted. Then, without thinking, I asked, “Have you ever felt… overshadowed?”

Celestia looked at me, surprised. “Overshadowed? No, I don’t think so. Why do you ask?”

I shook my head, trying to change the subject. “Never mind, forget it.”

Celestia didn’t press me, but before leaving, she said, “You know, Luna, I think you have more in common with me than you think. Maybe you should stop feeling overshadowed.”

Her words stayed with me for a long time, even after she left.

Three months ago, I never would have imagined speaking in front of a group or acting out a scene on stage. And yet, a part of me still wondered if I was enough.

But maybe, just like Selene, I was starting to find my place.