Moonshine

Moonshine


Regina Bartley



1



April 21, 2011



This is the day my life changed. I lost my best friend, my innocence, and my mind. My name is Shine Craven, and I am from Davis County, Arkansas and this is my story…



Shine

“Shine, would you get your ass in gear and come on? You’re gonna make us late for school again!” Ryker yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

“I’m coming. Don’t get your panties in a wad. Geez,” I pulled my skinny jeans up onto my hips, and put on a navy blue tank top that was a little too tight, but oh well. I slipped my cowboy boots over my jeans and bounced down the stairs to meet him.

“Took you long enough, Shorty,” he pulled on my braid. I swatted his hand.

“Aren’t you sweet,” I pinched his cheeks tightly.

“Let’s go.”

“What about breakfast?”

“Covered,” he pulled an un-open pack of strawberry Pop Tarts from his loosely fitted jeans.

“Thanks Moon.” I slugged his arm. “Bye Mom,” I yelled as we hurried through the kitchen and out the back door.

“Bye kids. Drive safely with my baby, Moon.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

The drive to school was just like every other day. Moon drove, I nagged, and we fought over the stereo, but I always won. Or maybe he just agreed with me to shut me up. As long as I didn’t make him listen to girly pop songs, I could usually persuade him.

Ryker Morgan is my very best friend in the world. He has lived next door to me since 4th grade. He moved there with his mom and dad. I still remember that first day they moved into the house across the street. My parents had invited the Morgan’s over for a barbeque to welcome them to the neighborhood. He was an only child like me, and they wanted us to be friends. At the time, awkward would be the best word to describe him. He spent the whole barbeque staring at me. I kept asking my mom if he was a freak, but she said that boys his age did that, and that he must have thought I was pretty. I pointed my finger to the back of my throat and made a gagging sound. Later that night we sat side by side on the swing set, of course it was not by my choice. He followed me everywhere I went. I remember he got up and stood in front of me, blocking me from swinging. He said, “I know why your name is Shine. It’s because your eyes shine as bright as the stars.” Then he kissed my cheek.

I pushed him as hard as I could and he fell into the grass. “Well your head is as big as the moon, Freako,” I yelled right before I kicked him in the shin and ran into the house crying. It took me weeks to forgive the little knobby knee boy, but I did. He has been Moon -my best friend, ever since.

Moon and I ride to school together every day. I have a license, but he has a Mustang, so it’s a no brainer.

“I know you have cheerleading practice, but I have to work. Papaw wants me to work every night this week at the farm. I won’t be able to pick you up from practice.” He sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“No problem.” I shut the car door behind me. “I’ll text mom. She’ll come and get me.”

“Okay,” he answered.

The entire cheer squad hangs out by the side of the school every morning. I knew exactly where I’d find them, doing what they do best, nothing. I know I am one of them, you know, part of the team, but there was no doubt that I carried the brains of this operation. Ten girls whose I.Q. combined didn’t equal mine, yet they were still my friends, at least most of them.

“I’ll see you in 2nd period Moon,” I called over my shoulder as I headed to my girls.

The girls always have something to say about Moon and me. Usually it is just a load of crap, so I try not to pay much attention to them. They swear he is in love with me, but I know better. He’s my best friend, and nothing else. I guess the thought of being with him romantically doesn’t bother me, per say. Who am I kidding? I’ve had a crush on that boy for as long as I can remember. I would never tell him that. I know he doesn’t think of me that way. We have been friends far too long, and if he loved me like that he would tell me.

“Ryker sure looks good today. It’s a real shame that he only has eyes for Shine,” Melody glared at me over the top of her designer sunglasses. Just because I love Moon doesn’t mean that anyone else needs to know that. It’s my secret and I wouldn’t share it with these loud mouth girls. Not in a New York minute.

“Whatever. You are so wrong. Ask him out. I am sure he’ll take you.” Not that I want him too. She is not his type. He is a 6’3” farmer tanned, brown hair, blue eyed, country boy. I am talking Red Wing work boots and all. She is a 5’5” fake tan, fake blonde hair, boobs are questionable, and never worked a day in her life, city girl.