𝟬𝟬𝟭, moons party

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⊱ ─── ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ ─── ⊰

Imogen had never been one for grand entrances, but she couldn't help the nervous flutter in her stomach as she finally arrived at Moon's end-of-summer birthday bash. The summer had flown by, and the two girls had managed to pack in so many memories-some of them fleeting, others more profound, like when they'd finally made it official two weeks ago. It had taken them a while to get here, but Imogen wouldn't have it any other way. It felt right, the way things were unfolding between them.

Two months ago, when they first met, everything was tentative-both of them unsure of what was happening, testing the waters, but now, everything had shifted. Imogen had even decided to fully embrace Miyagi-Do, eager to learn from Sam's sensei and develop a new side of herself. The dojo felt like a second home to her now, and it was thrilling to share that part of her life with Moon. But tonight, tonight was about something else: Moon. The girl who had become her world in such a short amount of time. The girl she loved.

Imogen pushed open the door to the backyard, glancing around for any sign of her girlfriend. The place was buzzing with energy, a mix of familiar faces and people she didn't recognize. A few tables were set up, loaded with snacks and drinks, while others were gathered near the makeshift dance floor, laughing and talking. She could hear the chatter and music blending together in the summer night air. Still, there was no sign of Moon.

She pushed through the crowd, her eyes scanning the party. She was late, but Moon would understand. There was a comforting warmth to this scene-friends mingling, strangers becoming acquaintances, but Imogen couldn't help but feel a little out of place. It wasn't like she wasn't part of the group now, but she still wasn't entirely used to this dynamic. Still, it was Moon's birthday, and she was determined to make tonight special for her.

Then, just as Imogen was about to ask someone where Moon was, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned, and her eyes landed on a guy with a striking red mohawk, his posture confident, a playful grin on his face.

"Hey. I like your hair," he said, looking her up and down with a casual, but friendly expression.

Imogen blinked, a little taken aback. She had straightened her hair for the party, which was unusual for her. Her curls were usually a defining part of her look, but she thought she'd try something different tonight. She cocked an eyebrow, her arms crossing over her chest as she glanced at his own hair, spiked and defiant, a shade of red almost as bold as his attitude.

"Thanks? I like yours too. It's spiky," she replied, her voice flat but not unkind. She wasn't exactly in the mood for small talk, but she couldn't help but be curious about this stranger.

The guy smirked, clearly pleased with her compliment. "Yeah. Everybody wants to touch it. I always say no, but you can touch it if you want." He paused for a beat before adding, "I'm Hawk, by the way."

Imogen cringed at his offer, her face scrunching in a combination of surprise and mild discomfort. She wasn't really into the idea of touching someone else's hair, especially not a guy she'd just met. But as she looked closer at him, she noticed something-a small scar above his lip. Something about it seemed vaguely familiar, like she'd seen it before, maybe from the previous summers she'd spent here, hanging out with friends from school.

"Wait, do I know you-"

Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden squeal interrupted her. Imogen turned just in time to see Moon sprinting across the yard toward her.

"Imogen!" Moon exclaimed, her face lighting up in a way that made Imogen's heart flutter. She barely had time to react before Moon wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a passionate kiss. Imogen's lips curved into a smile, her nerves instantly melting away as she kissed Moon back with everything she had.

Hawk, standing awkwardly nearby, looked slightly taken aback at the public display of affection. Imogen couldn't help but notice the way his expression shifted as he glanced back and forth between her and Moon. His eyes widened slightly, a recognition dawning on him. Imogen felt a little self-conscious under his scrutiny, but she quickly focused on Moon, who pulled away with a smile, resting her head against Imogen's shoulder.

"Hi, babe," Moon said softly, her voice a bit breathless with excitement. She wrapped her arm around Imogen, pulling her closer as she giggled. "You made it."

Imogen smiled down at her, her heart swelling. "Of course I did. Wouldn't miss this for the world."

But then, Moon's gaze shifted. She turned her attention to Hawk, her expression faltering slightly.

"Hawk," Moon breathed out, her voice low. It was clear that there was some history between them-history that Imogen hadn't fully unpacked yet.

Imogen raised an eyebrow, feeling the air between them grow a little thicker. "Do you two know each other?"

Moon looked flustered, like she was struggling to find the right words. She cleared her throat. "Sorry. This is Imogen. Um, my... my girlfriend," Moon stammered, a flush creeping up her neck.

Hawk's eyes widened even more at the mention of the word "girlfriend," his posture stiffening. He nodded slowly, clearly trying to process the new information. "Yeah. Uh, that's... awesome," he managed, though it was clear he was struggling to hide his discomfort. His eyes flicked between Moon and Imogen, and Imogen couldn't help but sense that something was off-his smile was tight, his shoulders tense.

"It's nice to meet you," Hawk said, extending a hand. Imogen hesitated for a moment, but then shook his hand firmly.

"Nice to meet you, too?" she replied, her voice uncertain as she studied him more closely. His reaction was confusing-he wasn't outright rude, but there was something in the way he was acting that made Imogen feel like she was missing a piece of the puzzle.

Moon quickly tugged on her hand, pulling her away toward a beanbag. "Come on, babe. Let's sit down," she said, her voice light, but Imogen could hear the nervousness underneath.

As they moved away, Imogen looked over her shoulder, catching Hawk's gaze one last time. There was something in his eyes-something familiar, something that felt like unfinished business. But what exactly that was, Imogen couldn't quite place.

Moon tugged her down onto the beanbag, her fingers intertwined with Imogen's as she leaned in close. "I'm sorry about that. He's... he's my ex. The one I told you about." Moon explained quietly, her voice a mix of sheepishness and frustration.

Imogen looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "Oh. That was him?"

Moon shrugged, her cheeks flushed. "It's not something I like to talk about. It's complicated." She glanced over at Hawk, who was now talking to someone else, though his eyes kept drifting back toward them. "But he's fine, I promise. He's just... not used to seeing me with someone else."

Imogen squeezed Moon's hand, her lips curling into a reassuring smile. "I'm not going anywhere," she said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to Moon's forehead. "No need to worry about me."

Moon's smile returned, bright and genuine. "I'm so glad you're here," she whispered, leaning in to kiss Imogen again.

⊱ ─── ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ ─── ⊰

Imogen and Moon sat close on the couch, their legs entwined, the warmth of the summer night adding a softness to the intimate space. The air was filled with the muffled sounds of laughter and music from the party around them. It had been two months since they'd started dating, and their relationship had blossomed from the friendship they'd formed when they first met. It was still new, but it felt natural.

Their fingers laced together as they spoke quietly, and the conversation drifted from mundane things like what they planned to do after the party, to more personal matters. Their eyes locked for a moment, and without any need for words, they both leaned in, closing the small gap between them. The kiss started slow, almost tentative, the soft pressure of their lips fitting together in a way that felt like it had always been meant to happen. Moon's hand brushed against the side of Imogen's face, and Imogen leaned into the touch, deepening the kiss. It was tender and sweet, the kind of kiss that sent warm shivers down Imogen's spine.

But just as the world around them seemed to disappear, a loud, obnoxious noise sliced through the air-an audible crash followed by the unmistakable sound of beer splashing. The two girls immediately broke apart, looking over to see a guy with a red mohawk standing there, his arms outstretched as he dumped an entire bottle of beer over someone's head.

Imogen's eyes narrowed as she saw Demetri standing there, drenched and furious, while the guy with the mohawk-Hawk-stood there with a grin on his face, clearly enjoying the chaos he'd just caused. The noise of the party around them seemed to dim, and the silence between Imogen and Moon was palpable.

Imogen scoffed under her breath, her arms crossing over her chest. "Real classy move," she muttered, unable to stop herself from shaking her head. "That's what you get for being a jerk."

Moon sighed beside her, her voice barely a whisper. "Yeah, that's Demetri, Hawk's best friend." Moon's expression hardened, the trace of old hurt in her eyes. "The reason I broke up with Hawk... was because of how he treated Demetri. He was always bullying him, making him feel small."

"Yeah. I know Demetri. He's in Miyagi-Do."

Imogen's stomach twisted with anger. She'd never been a fan of bullying-no one should have to endure that kind of behavior, especially not from someone they trusted. She glanced over at Hawk, watching as he laughed with his friends, oblivious to the damage he was causing.

Moon's gaze drifted toward the ground, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I couldn't stand by and watch him do that anymore," she said softly. "It wasn't the person I fell for. So, I had to let him go."

Imogen reached over and gently squeezed Moon's hand, her heart heavy with the realization of how much Moon had endured in the past. "I'll be right back, babe," Imogen said softly, her voice filled with determination. "I'm going to talk to him."

Moon looked at her, concern flickering in her eyes. "Imogen, are you sure? I don't want you to get hurt."

Imogen smiled reassuringly at her. "I'm not going to let him get away with this," she said firmly, before pushing herself up from the couch and making her way through the crowd.

The closer she got to Hawk, the more her anger bubbled inside of her. He was still grinning, surrounded by a group of friends, completely oblivious to the fact that he was the source of the tension in the room. Imogen didn't hesitate-she marched right up to him, her posture stiff with barely-contained fury.

"Nice move," she said, her voice cutting through the air. Her eyes were sharp as she took in the scene before her, the poor guy still standing there, dripping in beer, looking humiliated. "Real mature."

Hawk looked up at her, the grin faltering for a moment as he recognized her. But it didn't take long for that cocky smirk to return. "What's it to you?" he replied, his tone dismissive, as if he hadn't just made a mess of someone else's night.

Imogen's gaze hardened, her jaw tightening as she took a step closer to him. "What's it to me?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly with anger. "I know you, Hawk. And I know what you're really like. You don't get to treat people like this and get away with it."

Hawk froze, the cockiness on his face slipping as a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?" he snapped, his words almost defensive.

Imogen didn't flinch. She stepped closer, her eyes never leaving his. "I know who you really are," she said quietly, her voice firm, though a trace of sadness lingered in her words. "I know you, Eli. The shy, kind boy from middle school. This... this isn't you."

At the mention of his old name, Hawk's eyes widened, and for a brief moment, a flicker of recognition flashed in his gaze. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. He grabbed her arm and yanked her into an empty room, away from the prying eyes of the party. The door slammed behind them, and he spun to face her, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and something else-regret, maybe?

"What the hell, Imogen?" he hissed, his voice low and tense. "You can't just go around telling people we know each other. I don't want anyone knowing that."

Imogen ripped her arm away from his grip, her chest heaving with frustration. "Why?" she demanded, her voice rising in volume. "Why the hell not? Are you ashamed of me? What is it, Hawk?"

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep his composure, but there was something raw about the way he was acting. "It's complicated, okay?" he snapped, his voice tight with tension. "I don't want to be associated with you-not like this. You have no idea what I've been through."

Imogen stood her ground, shaking her head in disbelief. "Complicated?" she repeated, her voice dropping to a softer, more incredulous tone. "Eli, you used to be kind. You used to be the boy who helped me when I was lost. What happened to you? What happened to him?" Her voice cracked slightly at the end, the hurt evident in her words.

Hawk's face tightened, and for a moment, Imogen saw a flicker of vulnerability. But he quickly wiped it away. "It's Hawk now," he corrected her, his voice biting with an edge of defensiveness. "Not Eli. I'm not that guy anymore."

Imogen's heart sank, the hurt becoming palpable in her chest. "Fine," she said, her voice cold and final. "Nice not knowing you, Hawk."

She turned on her heel, not sparing him another glance, and walked out of the room. Behind her, Hawk stood frozen, a mixture of regret and confusion playing across his features. But Imogen didn't look back. She had already made up her mind.

Imogen stormed out of the room, her thoughts still swirling with anger, her chest heavy with the weight of her conversation with Hawk. As she walked through the party, she spotted Demetri off to the side, standing alone near the snack table. His clothes were soaked, and his expression was a mix of humiliation and frustration. Imogen's heart softened for him. Despite everything with Hawk, she couldn't stand seeing him like this.

She walked up to him, her resolve solidifying as she saw the look on his face.

"Demetri," she called gently, standing next to him. "Hey, are you okay?" Her tone was soft, but there was an edge of concern in her voice.

Demetri looked up, startled by her presence. He quickly wiped the back of his hand across his face, as though trying to hide the pain of being humiliated. "Oh, hey, Imogen," he said, trying to wave it off, his voice trying to sound casual. "It's nothing, really. Just a little beer spill. I'll be fine."

Imogen rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. She wasn't buying it. She had seen the way Hawk had treated him, and she wasn't about to let him brush this off like it didn't matter. "Don't try to act like it's nothing. That wasn't just a 'little beer spill,' Demetri. You're standing there looking like an absolute mess while everyone laughs at you, and he's not even sorry for it."

Demetri shifted uncomfortably, glancing down at the ground. "I mean, it's not like I haven't had worse," he muttered, clearly trying to minimize it. "It's just... I've been dealing with worse from Hawk for a while now."

Imogen's eyes narrowed, her heart aching for him. She knew enough about Demetri to understand how much the bullying had affected him, especially coming from someone he'd considered a friend-someone he'd trusted. "And that's exactly why you need to stand up for yourself, Demetri. You can't just keep letting him walk all over you. No one deserves that, especially not you."

Demetri let out a shaky breath, clearly uncomfortable with her directness. "I don't know how, Imogen," he admitted, his voice almost inaudible. "I've tried, but... he just shuts me down every time. I don't even know who he is anymore."

Imogen could see the pain in his eyes, the confusion and hurt that came with losing a friend like Hawk, but she also saw the quiet strength behind his words. He just needed someone to remind him of it.

"Look," she said, her voice firm but kind, "I know you're used to being quiet and keeping your head down, but that's not going to work with someone like Hawk. You have to show him you won't let him bully you anymore. Don't back down. The longer you let him get away with it, the worse it's going to get."

Demetri bit his lip, looking down at his shoes, clearly torn. "But what if I make it worse? What if he comes at me harder?"

Imogen placed a hand on his shoulder, making him look up at her. "He already is. It's not about making it worse. It's about standing up for yourself and showing him that you're not going to let him walk all over you. You're stronger than you think, Demetri. I've seen it."

He looked at her for a long moment, his brows furrowing in contemplation. "I don't know, Imogen... Hawk's... different now. It's not just about the bullying. It's like he's... changed. He doesn't care anymore. And it feels like I lost my friend."

Imogen softened, squeezing his shoulder. "You didn't lose your friend, Demetri. You just have to remind him who he was. Who you are. And if he can't see that, then he's not the friend you thought he was. But you can't just let him get away with it. Not anymore."

Demetri let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumping. But there was something in his eyes now-a spark of something that wasn't there before. Maybe it was hope. Maybe it was the realization that he wasn't alone in this. "You really think I can do it?" he asked, his voice tentative.

Imogen smiled at him, her eyes warm. "I know you can. You just have to believe it yourself."

He nodded, a small but genuine smile pulling at his lips. "Thanks, Imogen. I... I'll think about it."

"Good," she said, giving his shoulder one last reassuring squeeze. "And if you ever need someone to back you up, you know where to find me."

Demetri chuckled softly, his posture a little less tense than before. "I appreciate it, Imogen. Really."

Imogen gave him a small, encouraging nod before turning to walk back to Moon, who had been watching from a distance, her expression filled with concern and curiosity. Imogen made her way back to her girlfriend, feeling a little lighter than before. She had done what she could to help Demetri, but deep down, she knew he had to be the one to take the next step.

Moon smiled as she saw Imogen approach, but the moment her eyes caught the look on Imogen's face, she raised an eyebrow. "You okay?" she asked, her voice soft and concerned.

Imogen nodded, offering her a small, but genuine smile. "Yeah. I just talked to Demetri. He's going to be alright. He just needs to find his voice again."

Moon's eyes softened, and she wrapped her arms around Imogen's waist, pulling her close. "You're really good at this, you know? Helping people. I'm proud of you."

Imogen rested her head on Moon's shoulder, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. "I just can't stand seeing people get treated badly. Especially someone like Demetri."

Moon squeezed her tighter, her voice soft in her ear. "Well, I'm glad you're here for him. I know it means a lot."

Imogen smiled, closing her eyes as she took in the quiet, peaceful moment. "I'm glad I'm here, too."

⊱ ─── ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ ─── ⊰

Imogen was laughing softly, her head resting on Moon's shoulder as they sat on a cozy bean bag in the living room, enjoying the warmth of the party. The music was loud, but the chatter around them felt like a comfortable hum. Moon had just said something funny, and Imogen couldn't help but let out a breathless giggle, feeling lighter than ever with her girlfriend by her side.

But then, a loud voice broke through the din of conversation.

"Excuse me!" Demetri's voice rang out, cutting through the chatter. Imogen blinked, momentarily pulled away from her cozy moment with Moon as she saw Demetri standing in the middle of the room with a microphone. His hands were clutching a blue solo cup, which he tapped loudly, making a sharp clink against the mic.

The room instantly fell silent, all eyes turning toward him. Imogen's brows furrowed, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "What's he up to now?" she muttered under her breath, amused but already dreading where this was going.

Moon nudged her in the side and gave her a look, a mixture of warning and curiosity in her eyes. "I have no idea," Moon whispered back, her tone light but unsure.

Demetri cleared his throat dramatically into the mic, obviously relishing the attention. "I'd like to make a toast," he said, his voice carrying across the room. "To Eli Moskowitz."

Imogen froze for a second, a confused frown crossing her face. She glanced at Moon, both of them wondering who "Eli Moskowitz" was. The name didn't ring a bell. A few others in the room exchanged looks, their confusion clear.

Imogen's eyes narrowed as Demetri raised his cup. "Most of you probably don't know him by that name. Some of you might know him as Hawk," Demetri continued, glancing toward the corner of the room. Imogen followed his gaze and locked eyes with Hawk, who was standing there, looking mildly surprised and annoyed by the sudden attention.

Imogen scoffed under her breath, unable to hold back. "Oh, I see where this is going," she muttered.

Moon nudged her again, this time harder, and Imogen glanced over at her. Moon's lips were pressed together in a tight line, clearly unsure of whether this was going to be funny or something more awkward. Imogen raised her hands in mock surrender, giving Moon a look that was both apologetic and bemused.

Demetri seemed to enjoy the silence hanging over the room. With a dramatic flair, he threw his cup onto the ground, and it crashed loudly against the floor. Everyone stared as the cup rolled away, its contents spilling. "But underneath that crazy clown cosplay and whatever type of Manic Panic he dumps in his hair, he's still good old Eli. My binary brother," Demetri said, a wide smirk on his face.

Imogen gasped, her eyes widening in recognition. She hadn't realized it until now, but she remembered Demetri. They had been friends too, back in the day-before everything had changed. Before Hawk had become the person he was now.

Demetri, completely unfazed by the silence around him, continued, "Well, he was my binary brother. But now? Now, he's a real zero."

The room erupted into laughter, and while some of the people were clearly in on the joke, many still seemed confused. Imogen couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle herself, but her gaze didn't leave Hawk, who was visibly uncomfortable. She raised an eyebrow, a small, almost mischievous smirk on her lips.

That's when Demetri decided to go a step further. "Don't let that angry red hairdo fool you. He's a big softie. We watched every Harry Potter movie together," Demetri said, leaning into the mic. "After all, this girl we met one summer-who I cannot remember her name-introduced us to these movies in middle school. And he bawled like a baby when Dobby died."

Imogen's eyes went wide as Demetri dramatically imitated crying and sobbing, his face contorting in an exaggerated display of grief. The room roared with laughter, but all Imogen could think about was the fact that Demetri was talking about her. He was talking about the time they'd spent together that one summer-before she even knew Hawk. She felt a lump in her throat as memories flooded back.

But this was crossing a line. The playful teasing was one thing, but this was something else entirely. Demetri was about to embarrass Hawk in front of everyone, and it was too much.

Imogen stepped forward, her voice suddenly firm, cutting through the laughter and the noise of the party. "Okay, Demetri, this is going way too far," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. She glared at him, annoyed that he was pushing this in such an uncomfortable direction.

Hawk's eyes widened when he realized what was happening. His expression was a mix of shock and irritation, and he took a step toward the stage. "Alright, that's enough, Demetri," he called out, his voice gruff.

But Demetri wasn't listening. "No, Imogen, you were right," he said, turning back to the crowd with a defiant grin. "I need to stand up for myself."

Imogen opened her mouth to respond, but she was cut off by Demetri, who continued, "In the words of Eli's hero, Steve Jobs, 'I've got one more thing.'" He paused dramatically, glancing around at the crowd. "Have any of you heard of sleep enuresis?"

Imogen's stomach dropped as she realized where this was going. She could see the shift in Hawk's posture-his face was now red with anger, and his hands clenched at his sides. "Don't," he growled, his voice low and warning.

But Demetri ignored him, continuing to dig the hole deeper. "That's the medical term for it. In the King's English, it's good old-fashioned bedwetting," Demetri announced to the room. "And Eli here is a pro."

The laughter that followed felt like a punch to Imogen's gut. People snickered and murmured, and Hawk's face twisted in humiliation and rage. Imogen couldn't stand it any longer. She snapped into action, stepping onto the stage and grabbing the microphone from Demetri's hand before he could say anything else.

"Alright, folks, that's enough-" Imogen started, but she was immediately cut off when Demetri grabbed the microphone back from her with a swift motion.

The laughter around them was deafening, and Imogen felt her chest tighten. Demetri's voice was too loud and too cutting. "You see, Eli here may act tough, but he's got some issues. Like when he used to wet the bed," Demetri said, a sadistic smirk on his face as the crowd's laughter grew louder.

Imogen felt the heat rise in her chest. This wasn't the way Demetri was supposed to "stand up for himself"-he was just humiliating Hawk, and for what? So that everyone could have a laugh at his expense? She stepped off the stage, her temper barely contained, and her lips were tight with frustration.

"I can't be here any longer, or I might lose my shit, babe. I'm sorry," she said to Moon, her voice tight with anger and frustration.

Moon, who had been watching the entire thing unfold, nodded understandingly. "I get it," she murmured, pulling Imogen into a brief, understanding kiss. "I'll catch up with you later."

Imogen shot one last look at Demetri, who had the same cocky grin on his face, and then at Hawk, whose jaw was clenched in fury. This night was turning into a mess, and she couldn't stand to be a part of it anymore. She pushed through the crowd, heading for the door, the sound of Demetri's voice still ringing in her ears.

ASH SPEAKS!!!

school fight next chapter... oh my here we go.

i hope you guys enjoyed this fic and a bit more backstory :) more to come!!!

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)