Celene, The Moon

Celene stared out to the night sky, but her gaze caught absolutely nothing. Her thoughts were elsewhere.

For once, just once, I’d like to feel loved. Celene mused to herself. She was mentally and especially emotionally exhausted, sick and tired of being used, then pushed aside. Okay, maybe she hadn’t been used, but she sure felt like it. Why did she spend so much, investing her time, effort, and even herself, into something that didn’t matter in the end?

Celene shook her head; trying to clear her mind, get a fresh perspective.

Maybe I’m just being ridiculous, it’ll all be better tomorrow. Celene brightened up and put a smile on her face. For a brief instant, she was herself again. But was that really her? Or was it the mask she wore so often it was mistaken for her. With those recurring thoughts, Celene’s bright moment was gone.

As she sat at her desk, Celene wondered just how many people were going through the same thing at that exact time. Someone must also have felt this at some point or another in their life, right?

So much hurt… A quote materialized in Celene’s mind, “Love means exposing yourself to the pain of being hurt, deeply hurt by someone you trust.” She rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the pain, yes pain, she felt. Celene had always tried to be impersonal; it seemed easier. But someone always promised something; someone always swore they’d always be there, whenever you needed them. However every time she let someone in, she was eventually let down, some a lot quicker than others.

Her eyes were suddenly drawn to a little + shape.

There’s only one who will never let you down, am I right? Yes, she could repeat all the textbook answers mindlessly, but nothing felt real anymore. Pain, it’s nothing compared to the joy that comes in the end, right?

She sat, just sat, and did nothing else for a few minutes.

Just listen, that’s all I’m asking for. How hard could that possibly be? Just a few minutes of your time, that’s all she was looking for, just an assertion that you really care about me, just… something. Every time she looked around her, Celene could see people’s wonderful lives. Even hers looked wonderful from the outside. No one knew just how much pain she went through every time this happened.

She sighed audibly. Just then, her mother walked into her room.

“Celene, dinner’s ready.” Her mother called out brightly, completely unaware of the turmoil going on inside Celene.

“I’ll be out in a minute.” Celene answered in an equally cheerful tone.

I wish I could believe you miss me. I really do. Unfortunately, Celene had been battle hardened from previous experiences. She didn’t know what to believe anymore. So many people, so many bad experiences. So many acquaintances, so few friends.

All of a sudden, she felt… nothing. The pain had left, but so had the joy. What a price to pay. An unexpected wave of tiredness washed over her. Remembering her mother, Celene rose out of her seat. She stepped outside the boundaries of her room, put on a confident smile, and sat down to dinner. She was ready.

“Celene, how long did you expect us to wait for you?”