Where I'm Supposed to Be

Chapter 4

If this Sunday morning couldn’t get any weirder, there she was. The girl from the other night that Stephen was lip-locking with. She was a slender girl with a blunt bob haircut. She wore bracelets up her arm with platform sandals. She gave off a boho fashion-type vibe. She walked with a sort of confidence to herself. Her head was high with shades on so you couldn’t see her eyes.

“Can I get a latte with oat milk?” she said walking up to the counter laying her bag down.

She did a spin eying the place. “This is really cozy; I should come here more often.”

Sade rolled her eyes while she wasn’t looking and did a fake smile when she turned.

“Sure, that’s no problem. What name should that order be in so I can call you when it’s ready?” Sade said.

They never took names normally, that was Sade’s way of figuring out who this chick was.

“Michelle,” she said.

She paid for her drink and headed over to an empty table and pulled out her laptop.

Sade spun around and looked for Luna. She walked off to the back. Sade walked away from the counter and went searching for Luna.

“There you are, what’s going on with you?” Sade said to Luna.

“I can’t look at her, all I see is her kissing the only man I’ve ever loved,” Luna said turning her face to the ground.

“Are you kidding me? You’re going to let some random walk in here and ruin your day? Girl please,” Sade said as she scoffed and walked off.

In Sade’s mind, she was tired of seeing Luna look weak and defeated. Sade was over it. Luna came out from the back and began ignoring Sade.

“She wouldn’t know real love if it slapped her in the face, what does she know.” Luna thought.

 Ten minutes passed and they stood side by side in silence making themselves look busy. They were both too salty and in their feelings to remember to get the drink out to Michelle.

Out of nowhere, “Excuse me, is my drink almost ready?” Michelle said with an annoyed tone.

“Coming right up!” Sade said starting her drink.

Luna turned her back and began laying out the freshly baked cookies she had in the oven on a glass platter, one by one in a circular row. Sade finished the drink and put a napkin over the lid.

“Here you go, it’s your turn to serve,” Sade said walking off with an attitude.

Luna’s mouth dropped. She wondered how could she, knowing how she feels about her. Luna squinted her eyes at Sade and picked up the drink. She walked in Michelle’s direction.

“This isn’t that bad, I’ll put it on the table and walk off,” Luna thought.

Michelle was facing with her back turned, Luna could see her emailing as if she were working on something work-related. Luna made it to the table and Michelle looked up and smiled.

“Thank you,” Michelle said.

Not a moment later, Michelle’s phone went off. On the front screen, a photo of her and Stephen flashed with his contact showing he was calling. Luna almost froze. Her heart sank and it felt like the clouds rolled in on her. Luna’s feelings were hurt. Michelle picked up her phone and put it to her ear.

“Hey boo, how are you doing?” Michelle said smiling.

Luna turned to speed walk away and Michelle stopped her.

“Excuse me, can I get some more napkins please?” Michelle said oblivious to Luna’s reactions.

Luna hurried away and went to the bathroom with tears in her eyes.

It has been two months and he’s already got another girlfriend? I mean I expected him to move on, but I hate it being shoved in my face,” Luna thought.

Sade came busting in the bathroom.

“Luna I’m sorry, I should have taken the drink,” Sade said talking to the bathroom stall.

“I keep forgetting that this is all new for you, if it makes you feel any better she left,” Sade said.

“She tried face-timing that lug head and I told her she’d have to put some earbuds in and she just left,” Sade explained.

Luna wiped her face and opened the door to her stall.

“I’m sorry girl,” Sade said.

“I’m sorry too,” Luna replied.

They hugged each other tight and went out to start cleaning up to close.

The week flew by and Luna tried her best to pretend that Stephen didn’t exist. She tried making herself more open-minded. Luna put her focus on her schoolwork and at the end of each day, she’d lay in bed and read and reread Stephen’s message. Each time she read the message, the angrier she would get at him. He’d never been the player type of guy, so she was confused within her hurt. Luna and Luke’s back and forth texting and calls grew more as the week went by. Luke began to call her at night. They’d talk and flirt for hours until they got sleepy. Luke seemed like an open book. She learned that he was 28 years old, no kids, worked in the corporate world, and loved to cook. He mentioned that he was new to the city and had a handful of friends that were showing him around. Luke was born and raised in Louisiana and had a cute accent with a deep voice. Luna was so gushy thinking of him. The chemistry between the two was built up and she was ready for their date.

Friday night had finally arrived, and Luna had been looking for the mate to her strappy wedges to wear with her dress.

“Have you seen my other shoe, I know it’s around here somewhere,” Luna said coming out of the bathroom as she put on her pink gloss.

There was a knock on the door and Sade turned to Luna.

“Is that him, have you sent him the address yet?” Sade said with her eyes getting big.

“Yeah, that’s probably him. I sent him the address; I just didn’t realize he was coming so soon. Look, I’ll go finish getting ready and you tell him I’ll be right down. Ok?” Luna said.

Sade waved hands shooing Luna and said, “Girl I got this, go on and finish getting ready. I think I saw that shoe under the bed. I’ll answer the door.”

Luna went to finish getting ready and Sade headed to the door. Sade looked down and back up when she opened the door. To Sade’s surprise, she stood there in shock.

Stephen was standing there, at the door.