WHO PAID FOR ME???

LUNA'S POV

I walked around the mansion, feeling a sense of unease. I had been avoiding Xavier all day, ever since our kiss in the kitchen. I wasn't sure how to process my feelings, and I didn't want to face him until I had some clarity.

But as I turned a corner, I saw Xavier standing in the hallway, his eyes locked on mine. I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body, and I quickly looked away, trying to compose myself.

"Hey, Luna," Xavier said, his voice low and husky. "Can we talk?"

I shook my head, trying to avoid him. "I don't think that's a good idea," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Xavier took a step closer to me, his eyes burning with intensity. "Luna, please," he said. "I need to talk to you."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I looked up at Xavier. I knew that I couldn't avoid him forever, but I wasn't ready to face him yet.

"I'll talk to you later, Xavier," I said, trying to sound firm. "But for now, I need some space."

Xavier nodded, his expression understanding. "Okay, Luna," he said. "I'll give you space. But know that I'm not going anywhere."

I felt a flutter in my chest as I looked at Xavier. I knew that he was serious, and that he wasn't going to give up on me easily.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew that I had to be strong, that I had to figure out my feelings and what I wanted.

But as I turned and walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that Xavier was going to be a hard habit to break.

"Hey, girl! What's up?" Olivia answered on the first ring, her voice bubbly and energetic.

Luna took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "Hey, Olivia. I need to talk to you about something."

Olivia's tone turned serious. "What's wrong, Luna? You sound upset."

Luna hesitated, unsure of how to start. "It's just...I kissed Xavier," she blurted out.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Luna wondered if Olivia had hung up on her. But then Olivia's voice came back on the line, filled with excitement. "Oh. My. Gosh. Tell me everything!"

Luna laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "It was just a kiss, Olivia. But it felt like...more."

Olivia squealed. "I knew it! I knew you two had chemistry. What was it like?"

Luna closed her eyes, remembering the feel of Xavier's lips on hers. "It was...electric. Like the whole world had come to a standstill."

Olivia sighed dreamily. "That sounds amazing. And how do you feel about him now?"

Luna hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "I don't know, Olivia. I'm scared, I guess. I don't know if I'm ready for something like this."

Olivia's voice turned serious. "Luna, you can't let fear hold you back. If you feel something for Xavier, you need to explore it. See where it takes you."

Luna nodded, even though Olivia couldn't see her. "You're right. I just need to take things slow, I guess."

Olivia's voice turned cheerful again. "That's the spirit! And don't worry, I'll be here to support you every step of the way."

Luna smiled, feeling grateful for her friend. "Thanks, Olivia. Just talking to you makes me feel better."

Two weeks later, Mrs. Johnson began calling out the names of students who had paid for the competition. Luna watched as Xavier, Alexander, Gabriel, Sonia, and Olivia were all called. She had already lost hope, thinking she hadn't made the cut.

But then, Mrs. Johnson's voice rang out once more, "And Luna!"

Luna's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe it. She was certain she hadn't paid for the competition. But someone must have, because her name had just been called.

Her mind racing, Luna wondered, "Who paid for me?"

Luna's eyes scanned the room, searching for answers. She had no idea who could have paid for her to enter the competition. She thought about asking Mrs. Johnson, but the teacher was already moving on to the next announcement.

As Luna walked out of the room, Olivia approached her, a concerned look on her face. "Hey, Luna, congratulations on getting into the competition! But I have to ask, are you okay? You look really shocked."

Luna nodded, still trying to process her emotions. "I'm fine, Olivia. I just have no idea who paid for me to enter. And to make things worse, Sonia is staring at me like she's trying to kill me."

Olivia glanced over at Sonia, who was indeed glaring at Luna with a scowl on her face. "Don't mind her, Luna. She's just jealous. But let's focus on finding out who paid for you to enter. Do you have any ideas?"

Luna rolled her eyes at Sonia's glare. "Ugh, I'm so over her drama," she said to Olivia.

Olivia chuckled. "Girl, you're so fierce. I love it."

Luna smiled, feeling a sense of confidence. But as she scanned the hallway, her eyes landed on Xavier, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, trying to avoid eye contact.

Olivia noticed her reaction and raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Luna, what's going on? You've been avoiding Xavier all day."

Luna shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I'm just focusing on finding out who paid for me to enter the competition, that's all."

Olivia nodded, but Luna could tell she wasn't buying it. "Okay, girl, but you're not fooling me. I know something's going on between you and Xavier."

Olivia nodded knowingly. "I know you're avoiding him because of the kiss, Luna. But you can't avoid him forever."

Luna sighed, feeling a bit trapped. "I know, Olivia. It's just...I don't know how to face him right now."

Olivia placed a reassuring hand on Luna's arm. "You'll figure it out, girl. But first, let's focus on finding out who paid for you to enter the competition."

Luna nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, let's do that."

As Luna walked out of the school building, she was looking forward to heading to the mansion to start her work. But before she could take a step further, Sonia blocked her path, a sly grin spreading across her face.

"So, Luna, I've been wondering...who paid for you to enter the competition?" Sonia asked, her voice dripping with malice.

Luna's eyes narrowed, her instincts telling her that Sonia was up to no good. "I don't know, Sonia. And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

Sonia's grin grew wider. "Oh, come on, Luna. Don't be shy. I'm just curious. After all, it's not every day that someone like you gets to enter a prestigious competition."

Luna's anger simmered just below the surface. She knew that Sonia was trying to provoke her, but she refused to take the bait. "Like I said, Sonia, I don't know who paid for me. And even if I did, it's none of your business."

Sonia's expression turned cold, her eyes flashing with anger. "Fine, Luna. Keep your secrets. But mark my words, you'll regret this."