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Luna Cruz

Luna Cruz was the Puerto Rican American daughter of Marisol and Rafael Cruz and the younger sister of Ezra. Born in Miami in 2011, she grew up in the Cruz family home in Hialeah, where English, Spanish, and music were part of daily family life. Luna loved mathematics and played cello.

Early Life and Family Crisis

Luna was born in 2011, five years after Ezra. Her early childhood was shaped by the family’s musical household, including the frequent presence and cultural influence of her maternal grandmother, Teresa Dominguez, and by Rafael’s increasing substance dependence. Rafael died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2022, when Luna was eleven.

Luna grieved her father while also watching Ezra struggle after the death. She was angry about the fear and strain Ezra’s behavior caused Marisol, but she remained afraid that confronting him would drive him away. Luna returned to therapy with Ms. Diaz, where she spoke about missing Rafael, resenting Ezra’s choices, and still loving her brother.

Marisol’s sister Rosa provided practical support during the family crisis. On at least one occasion, Luna stayed with Rosa while Marisol responded to an emergency.

Personality and Communication

Luna was intelligent, observant, sharp-tongued, and especially interested in mathematics. Her speech with family moved naturally between English and Spanish. With Ezra, directness, teasing, anger, and affection often existed in the same exchange.

Health and Mental Health

Luna had combined-type ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Her ADHD was heavily masked: much of the hyperactivity was internal, while restlessness and fidgeting were often concealed. Ms. Diaz recognized the ADHD during therapy after grief and anxiety had obscured the pattern. Luna managed her conditions through therapy, medication, and strategies developed over time.

Luna also had a recurrent history of self-harm and carried scars on her thighs. Ms. Diaz was the first person who knew and remained the only person aware of it for years. Luna later disclosed the history to Marisol and, separately, to Ezra; she eventually told Raffie when he was old enough to understand. The behavior and recovery were recurrent rather than a single resolved episode.

Family and Core Relationships

Ezra Cruz

Main article: Ezra Cruz and Luna Cruz

Luna called Ezra “ZZ.” She remembered him as the older brother who promised to protect her and struggled with the difference between that version of him and his behavior during the family’s crisis. Their scenes preserve both her anger and her attachment: she could believe Ezra was acting selfishly and still fear losing him.

Marisol Cruz

Main article: Marisol Cruz and Luna Cruz

Luna was aware of Marisol’s grief and worried about adding to it. During therapy, she described the strain of hearing her mother cry and watching her manage Ezra’s escalating behavior.

Rafael Cruz

Main article: Luna Cruz and Rafael Cruz

Rafael was Luna’s father. His death when she was eleven left her grieving the permanent loss of him while the rest of the household was also in crisis.

Raffie Cruz

Main article: Luna Cruz and Raffie Cruz

Luna was twenty-four when Raffie was born in 2035. She was an active presence throughout his childhood, becoming a cool, steady, and honest aunt as he grew. Their close relationship continued into Raffie’s adulthood.

Memorable Quotes

“I hate him. But I don’t.”

Luna described her conflicting feelings about Ezra during a July 2022 therapy session.

“Te amo, ZZ.”

Luna reassured Ezra during a private conversation in 2022.

“I miss you, ZZ.”

Luna spoke to Ezra during a later conversation.

Characters Supporting Characters Living Characters Disabled Characters Neurodivergent Characters Latinx Characters Puerto Rican Characters Cruz Family