7:00 PM, 4th of August.
You could hear the sound of relief in the entire room when the bell rang for dismissal. Everyone was exhausted from the afternoon classes.
"Don't forget to find your partner for a documentary report on The Social Dilemma. Submit it at the next meeting. Class dismissed," the professor said.
No one cared about choosing a partner for the report. All they cared about was getting home. I organized my stuff back into my bag when the girls came up to me saying to go home together. I refused and told them that I had to get something from the locker at the gym before heading out, which is on our building's other side. They said their goodbyes and headed out of the room.
I was the only one left in the room, so I turned off the lights but saw a guy leaning by the door with his bag on his shoulder and his other hand in his pocket.
"Nate," I said, coming up to him, and we've locked eyes.
"Luna," he said. There's something about him when he calls out my name. "Are you heading out?" he asked, taking a few steps away for me to close the door of our room.
"I have to go to the gym lockers to get something," I answered, locking the door and making sure it's locked. "Okay," was his only reply.
Nate followed me until I got to the gym. The school gym is enormous. Our university sometimes hosts regional games here. When you arrive at the gym building, there are two big courts—one for the basketball court and the other for volleyball. On the second floor of the building is where student-athletes train most of the time. They even got rooms for them to take a rest in between training. Our sports center is massive, and this building is just a part of it.
He opened the door at the gym while checking the area if there are any other people around. I can't help but let out a chuckle, which caught his attention.
"I'm sorry," I said, still silently laughing.
"What's gotten into you?" he asked, obviously annoyed with my reaction.
"It's just that… You…" I keep on laughing that I can't complete my sentence. So, I breathe in deep and composed myself. "You're checking if there are any other people around, am I right?" I asked, and he nodded as a reply. "Well, it's just like we're sneaking here to make out," I said and laughed again.
He pulled me and closed the door behind me. He deliberately stepped in closer, closing the distance between us, now my back is lying by the door. He put his hands on each side of my shoulders, telling me that he's not permitting me to move.
"Wh-what do you think you're doing?" I stammered. I felt suddenly nervous and self-conscious. I wasn't like this before. Whenever someone does the same act like this, I turn the tables. Yet right now, I don't think I can.
"You know Luna… it's hard to control it whenever I'm close to you," he said while looking at me directly. I cannot help but look away. His stare makes me uncomfortable.
"C-control what?" I keep stuttering as I feel confused with everything that is going on. Now I regret laughing and thinking about the thought earlier. I just want to get my PE clothes from the locker.
"This," he replied. I look at him, and his face is almost an inch away from me. He isn't looking at my eyes but my lips. I pushed him away with all my might and rushed towards my locker room. Now, it was his turn to laugh.
"Why so flustered?" he teased. I didn't bother to answer him. I got the first try on my key lock wrong, which frustrated me because I want to be out of this place as soon as I can.
He tried calling out to me, but I didn't answer. What's wrong with me? Why am I like this with him? He's nothing but a transferee guy with some scholarship. If I am to compare, he's nothing like Chase Jimenez. Chase is a better catch.
"Hey," he said, forcefully turning me to face him.
"WHAT?!" I answered frustratingly.
"I just want to give this back to you," he said, handing out my cafe pin. "I know that it matters to you since you don't want anyone else to know your secret, right? I found it on the first day we bump into each other in the hallway," he explained.
"Thanks," I said, taking my pin out of his hand. I finished putting my clothes back to my back and made sure to lock my locker.
I stormed out of the gym, leaving Nate to close the door behind us. He's driving me nuts. Why does he keep on following me?
I stopped in my tracks and went back to face him. I grabbed his collar out of frustration and anger. "Why do you keep following me? Who are you?" I asked.
"My name is Nathaniel Cooper. I'm your classmate," he deviously answered.
"Enough with the games, Nathaniel Cooper. Just answer me," I said, tightening the grip on his collar. He held my hand, pulling it away from his collar. He didn't let this go even if I've already let go of his collar.
He held my hand tightly, and out of concern, he answered me, "Because you were already harassed, and you always come home late with no one to protect you."
"Protect? Me? Are you kidding me? Who are you to protect me? I'm not your girlfriend. And the truth is, you only know my secret, but you don't know who Luna Harper is. So, stop acting like a knight in shining armor saving a damsel in distress," I furiously said, leaving him where he is standing.
I continued to walk and never looked back.
11:30 AM, 5th of August.
I went to the rooftop to eat my lunch. I grabbed a salad bowl and a banana then told the girls that I have to do something for my grandfather, so they left me off the hook. When I got here, the door wasn't locked, so I thought Nate was around, but he wasn't.
Finally! A time of peace. Ever since the first day, I've been bumping into different situations. I just needed time to breathe independently and just being here at the rooftop gives me that.
I lied on the floor with my bag as a pillow. The sky was clear, and I could see the birds flying in flocks. I can't help but smile at the sight of birds. If ever reincarnation was real, I wished that I would live my next life as a bird. I want to be free from all the pain, sadness, and doubts I feel. I just wish I could turn back the time.
"I miss you," I said with tears rolling on my cheeks. My heart broke, remembering all the memories I have been with him.
"Why does he have to take you away from me?" I cried my heart out, blaming that Supreme being in the heavens for taking the one person who is most important to me. He was my rock. Even if I was spoiled and a party girl, he never ever let me feel abandoned. He was always there for me.
11:30 PM, 5th of August.
It's already almost midnight, the girls and I just arrived at Delirium. Delirium is the top one high-class bar for all social elites in town. Ordinary people can't get in without an invitation from its hosts, but since I opened it to everyone and the girls are paying, tonight will be a bomb.
I texted the cafe around lunch that I can't come in for the day because I declared sick. Ms. Ava just told me to get some rest and not worry about the work in the cafe because they could handle it.
I'm wearing a sparkling gold outfit layering it with a black leather jacket. The top has a low v-cut that looks exactly like a bra, and the skirt has a slit showing off more skin. I put on some bangles and diamond dangling earrings. My hair is in a messy, curled updo hairstyle. As for makeup, nothing much on the lids but a perfect red on my lips.
Soon as we walked into the club, the spotlight turned to us. "Queen Luna has finally arrived. Time to get this party started," the DJ announced. Suddenly, the entire place is filled with music that I cannot hear any word the people are saying. You literally have to shout to one's ear to say something.
I kept on looking around my surroundings, looking at people if there are any familiar faces.
"Are you waiting for someone?" Kate shouted at me. I shook my head as an answer.
"I don't think he likes parties at all," I thought and realized that I was looking for Nate in the crowd. Subconsciously, my mind is thinking of him? What's wrong with me? I am here to party and lose myself with vodka and music. I have no time to think about another stupid and worthless guy.
We went to the bar, and the drinks started rolling. Just like the old days, we take shot after shot nonstop. I totally miss the feeling of just losing myself with drinks and music.
"Welcome back, Queen Lu!!" Kate shouted, fighting the loud music for me to hear.
"Cheers!" I said. Our glasses clink, and we drink it all at once.
"We have to fire up this party. Let's have fun," Valerie said. She sounds a little bit tipsy already.
"What's on your mind, Val?" Jane asked.
"Let's play the classic game of truth or dare," she answered.
"Ohh, this will be fun and dangerous," I commented. I don't really mind going all out tonight. I just want to have a taste of how my life was before.
Valerie drank the last drops from her bottle and placed it at the center of the table. She shouted 'truth or dare' to catch the attention of the people who were near to join us.
The game went on and on. Val dared Kate on the first round to kiss the person she thinks is hot on our table, and because Kate was already intoxicated, she didn't mind making it out hard in front of us. Jane had to pull her away from her victim. At some point, the bottle turned to me, and I said dare.
"Hmm, what's a good dare for our queen?" Valerie contemplated.
"Make it good, Val," Jane chimed in. My head feels like it's gonna break any minute.
"Strip it down, Lu, and do it slowly," Valerie whispered to me.
I don't know what came over me, but I didn't want to be a buzzkill. Maybe because the alcohol is already kicking hard, I don't have time to think of regretting the decision afterward.
I walked up to the center of the table. I even kicked the bottle we are using for the truth or dare. I danced to the music tracing my body with my hands until I reached the hem of my dress. I slowly slid my underwear down seductively. I could totally hear Valerie and the girls cheering me. When I have successfully undressed it, I swirl it with my index finger as I turn my body round and round. A waiter passed by, and I chugged the bottle that he was about to serve to someone else's table.
"Luna! Luna! Luna!" It's all I could hear as I was drinking the entire bottle. I miss the excitement, the burning sensation of alcohol, and the loud music ringing in my ears. This is my life, and I wish this moment will stop here.
"Ahh~," I said when I took the last drop from the bottle. I felt woozy and out of balance already. I tried my best to go down from the table and to the dance floor.
"Hmmm… I'll dance…" I said, pushing away the people that are blocking my way.
Since I'm already intoxicated enough, and my mind is not thinking straight. I went to the dance floor commando-style. I don't feel shy at all. I feel like I'm relieved and that I don't have worries. I feel like I'm not even capable of worrying but only enjoying life. When I got to the dance floor, my body moved on its own.
At first, I was dancing solo. The people around me were conscious enough that their Queen is having fun on the dance floor. The DJ has great taste in music because it felt like he was dancing for quite some time already. Then suddenly, I felt that someone was moving close to me at the same beat as I am. I can't remember clearly who I was dancing with, but we totally rocked the floor.
My vision is blurry, but I know that I was dancing with a man. He was just beside me moving his body with me, but I took the lead. I traced his arm with my finger till I was able to hold his hand. I turned my back on him and put his one hand on my hips and the other on my shoulder. I locked hands with him and then swayed my body with the music. I could feel his body moving with me.
The crowd was shouting "kiss," and the DJ announced that I am definitely back slaying the dance floor with another victim. The dance just got dirtier and sexier with every beat. I turned to face him, and he put his hands on my hips. Our faces were so close to one another, we could kiss, but I chose not to. But seconds later, I felt his lips on mine. Then I realized someone pushed him from behind.
I wanted to pull away, but his lips were too soft, and I wasn't able to control myself, so I kissed back. He was dominating the kiss, but I pushed down my tongue to his, and he responded back. Our tongues intertwined, trying to dominate one over the other. I felt his hand gripped my nape, and the other supported my back while pushing me closer to him. My hands were wrapped around his neck. My hand played his brunette hair as our kiss went deeper and deeper.
Out of breath, we pulled away from each other. I then realized that people were shouting and cheering for us. I looked as to who was my victim and saw a familiar face. I turned pale to see who it was. His golden eyes will never deceive me.
It was Nathaniel Cooper!