Becoming Luna novel Chapter 1

'Everything is ready.'

The irritating words flashed across the screen of Danica's phone, reminding her that tonight was the night she dreaded the most.

It was Danica's eighteenth birthday, and her friends had insisted she needed to celebrate it in style; after all, it was her emergence into adulthood. At least that was what they insisted despite her protests. If it were left up to her, she would simply stay at home and bring it in with her stepmother like all her other birthdays until this year.

Huffing, Danica got up from her bed and walked over to her vanity, allowing herself to study her reflection.

A pale face with curly black hair surrounding it and golden eyes that were shrouded by thick lashes stared back at her with a look of irritation in them, mirroring the emotions that swirled within her.

From behind her, her bedroom door burst open, allowing Amy and Heather, her two best friends, to come charging in. Amy had her long blonde hair up in a ponytail, and her blue eyes bore pure excitement as her lips curled into a smile. It seemed she didn't come to just hang out.

Beside her, Heather's usual bored expression was in place, a total opposite to the overly excited Amy beside her.

Continuing to compare the two, Danica noticed that Heather's dyed blue hair had been freshly shaven on one side, and the long portion that hung down on the other side covered one brown eye from sight, but the one that watched her seemed to hold a hint of sympathy.

"Why are you two here?" Danica asked before her eyes zoned in on the makeup box that Amy clutched in her hand. "No," she gasped, holding up a hand. "I agreed to the party, but I didn't agree to being your toy to play with makeup on."

Amy pouted her petite pink lips. "You're the hostess of the evening," she whined. "You have to stand out."

Danica could feel herself inwardly cringing. She absolutely hated dresses and makeup, finding them to be just superficial hindrances that were too much to deal with.

"Come on," Amy begged, stepping forward. "Just this once, please!"

Danica looked to Heather, who had sat on her bed and was now engrossed in her phone, for help. Not even glancing at her, Heather shrugged in a 'You're on your own' manner, leaving Danica to fend for herself.

"Traitor," Danica grumbled as Amy began making her way to her.

"Amy will do what she wants no matter what," Heather chuckled, beginning to scroll through whatever it was she was reading. "The best thing you can do is just let her do what she wants."

Huffing, Danica crossed her arms over her ample chest. "Just this once," she conceded. "After this, never again."

Squealing, Amy rushed forward, grabbing a hold of Danica and sitting her down in a chair before swiveling her around so she couldn't see her reflection.

"You aren't allowed to see until I'm finished," she clarified as Danica gave her a questioning look. "I want this to be an absolute surprise."

The helpless Danica remained seated as Amy began her onslaught of makeup brushes and tools. Even though they were meant to beautify a woman, to Danica they seemed more like a means of torture.

When Amy finished with her face, she moved onto Danica's wild curls, determined to tame them, but from the sounds she was making, it was easy to tell that she was on the losing side of the battle.

After what seemed like hours to Danica, Amy finally finished her work. She wore a satisfied smile as she clapped her hands.

"Now for the reveal," beaming, she swiveled Danica around so she could see her reflection. "What do you think?"

Shock rushed through Danica as she examined the woman staring back at her. Was this... her?

Amy had managed to make her look like a fierce beast with smoky golden eyes and tumbled black hair that scattered around her perfectly concealed face.

"Well?"  Amy urged expectantly. "Do you love it or do you love it?"

Rolling her eyes Danica couldn't help but smile and say, "I don't hate it."

Clapping happily, Amy jumped up and down, "now to get you dressed."

Settling on a pair of black leather pants and a white t-shirt that Amy modified so it was more edgy, paired with a pair of black combat boots, and topped with a black leather jacket, Danica headed out with her friends.

They arrived at a clearing at the edge of town just as the sun was beginning to set.

Tables for food and drinks were set up on one side. In the middle sat large pieces of wood, ready to be set ablaze for a massive bonfire. Two large speakers were set up on either side of the clearing to play music so the partygoers could dance.

Again, Danica had to commend Amy on her handywork; the girl truly was a miracle worker.

Looking around, Danica managed to spot Greg and Chase, Amy's two twin older brothers, busying themselves with setting up a few kegs. Raising an eyebrow, she turned her gaze to Amy's.