GOODBYE, MOONCREST

For almost ten minutes, Maya stared at the opened suitcase on her bed without moving.

She swallowed hard and then, picked up a sweater and folded it into the suitcase.

The approved transfer papers sat beside her laptop. She was really leaving Silverclaw Academy.

Part of her still couldn't accept it.

For years she had dreamed of attending Mooncrest, the most prestigious academy in Lunaris, built for those meant to lead.

A knock sounded at the door. Ethan stepped inside without waiting for an answer.

He looked around the room. "So, this is actually happening."

Maya forced a smile. "It seemed that way."

Ethan shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat.  His sharp sarcasm was gone. "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

He nodded slowly and glanced toward the window. "You know, I still think Mooncrest is losing a star."

Maya laughed softly.

"No, it isn't."

"It is." His expression became firm. "You survived this place without turning into one of these rich idiots."

A tiny grin appeared on Maya's lip. "Is that a compliment?

Ethan's gaze softened. "You deserve better than what happened."

The words hurt.

Maya looked down at the fabric she held. "I thought I had a chance."

The room became very quiet.

Ethan slowly sat on the edge of her desk. "He does not deserve you."

Maya didn't answer. Because part of her still wasn't over Lucas. That was the embarrassing truth.

"I'll miss you," Ethan said quietly.

Maya looked up. A lump formed in her throat. "I'll miss you too."

****

That night Maya couldn't sleep.

The academy felt unusually quiet.

Moonlight spilled across her room. The silver light reminded her of the Mate Ceremony.

She rolled onto her side. Her eyes landed on a photograph of several students during a training competition.

Ethan stood in the center making a ridiculous face and their classmates around him laughed. Near the edge of the picture stood Lucas. His arm rested loosely on a teammate’s back and he was grinning.

The familiar ache returned as Maya stared at the image.

Maybe leaving was the right choice. Because staying meant constantly remembering. And remembering hurt.

The next morning arrived too quickly. By sunrise, most of Maya's belongings were packed and the room looked almost empty.

A strange sadness settled inside her chest. This was goodbye.

Maya zipped her suitcase closed and stood. There was one place she needed to visit before leaving.

****

The trail toward the arena was empty. Most of the students were still curled asleep in bed.

The sea beyond the cliffs, stretched endlessly and silver waves crashed against dark rocks below. The air smelled like salt and morning rain.

Maya walked slowly. Soon the arena appeared.

She stepped onto the platform. The wind tugged gently at her hair as she simply stood there, looking and remembering.

Maya looked toward the sky. "Why?"

She wasn't sure who she was speaking to. "Why him?"

There was no response. The sea continued crashing below.

She turned to leave and then stayed still.

An old woman stood close to the edge of the platform. She wore a long dress, brushing the floor.

Maya frowned. She hadn’t heard any sound to warn her of company.

The woman looked ancient with deep wrinkles lining her cheeks. From beneath the veil, strands of silver hair flowed down her shoulder, swaying as breeze tugged at her cloth.

Something about her felt strange.

Maya glanced around. The altar had been empty moments ago. "Excuse me?"

The old woman smiled, almost knowingly. "You are leaving."

Maya's stomach tightened. "How do you know that?"

She did not answer. Instead, her gaze settled on the faded mark on Maya's wrist.

For a brief moment sadness crossed the woman's face. "Your path has only begun."

Maya frowned. "What does that mean?"

The woman stepped closer. Her silver eyes seemed to glow. "The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes."

A chill raced through Maya. She stared at the woman. "What do you mean?"

The woman lifted her head slightly. "You think destiny betrayed you."

Maya's breath caught. "Who are you?"

The old woman smiled mysteriously again.

Confusion flooded Maya. "What does that mean?" Maya took a step forward, with questions exploding inside her mind.

Who was this woman? Why did she sound like she knows something?

The woman suddenly looked directly into Maya's eyes. "The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes."

The words carried more force this time, almost like a warning…or a promise.

Then something odd happened. A sudden rush of air swept across the altar.

Maya turned her face without thinking. When she looked back, the woman had disappeared.

She froze. There was no footsteps or movement and she was completely gone.

Maya’s heart pounded violently.  "What?"

She spun around, searching and looking behind the pillars.

A shiver ran down her spine as she stood there, searching for answers.

Nothing made sense, yet, the woman's words kept echoing inside her mind. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes.

But Maya couldn’t tell whether to feel comforted or frightened.

****

The train station was just after the academy’s boundary.

By midday, Maya stood on the platform with her suitcase at her side.

Students moved around her. Travelers came and went. This time, nobody paid attention to her and for once, she appreciated that.

The train rolled in with a sharp whistle, its steam drifted through the morning haze.

Her journey to Silverclaw was finally beginning.

Ethan arrived a few moments before boarding, breathing heavily.

"You made it," Maya laughed.

For a moment they simply looked at each other. Ethan drew her close and wrapped his arms tight around her.

Maya blinked in surprise. Ethan rarely hugged people.

"Take care of yourself." His voice sounded rough.

Maya hugged him back. "You too."

When they finally separated, Ethan pointed at her. "And if anyone bothers you at Silverclaw, tell me."

"What are you going to do from here?"

"I'll figure something out."

She smiled. "Sure."

"I'm serious."

The train whistle sounded again. Final boarding.

Maya took a deep breath. This was it. A new beginning…or at least she hoped so. "Goodbye, Ethan."

"Goodbye, Maya."

She climbed aboard and a few moments later, the train began moving slowly at first and building speed soon after.

Mooncrest Academy gradually disappeared behind her. The towers, the cliffs and the sea, everything faded into the distance.