Where I'm Supposed to Be

Chapter 3

The morning sun came out behind the clouds and morning birds began their chirping. Luna buried her head in her covers while her mind raced. Everything was happening too fast for her. Luna glanced over at her clock; it was 9:30 am. She hopped out of bed and went to her bathroom to put cold water on her face. She brushed her teeth and hopped in the shower. Moments later Sade came walking into her room.

“What time did I knock out, I have the worst hangover,” Sade said rubbing her forehead.

Sade still had her monster feet slippers on and her cheetah print pajamas. Luna cracked the shower curtain back slightly and peeked her head out.

“I’m not sure I think we fell asleep at the same time last night but…..go look at my phone,” Luna said.

The messages from Stephen and Luke were still showing unopened on Luna’s front screen notifications. She couldn’t think of what to say, or if she should say anything at all. Sade picked up her phone from her bed and guessed her phone code.

“Why, did the mystery hunk you danced with last night text?” Sade said smiling.

Before Luna could respond Sade read the two message notifications Luna left unopen.

“I know this isn’t who is think it is?” Sade said as she scoffed at the phone. She put the phone down on the counter and sat on the toilet lid.

“Luna, you can do what you want but I urge you not to respond to Stephen, I mean he was literally locking lips with some chick last night and has the nerve to tell you he can’t get you off his mind? I think it’s some bull,” Sade said folding her hands.

Luna wanted to speak up and explain how she wanted to talk to Stephen, it had been so long, and the closure was never cleared. She had so much she wanted to say to him, and not only that she felt that he wasn’t a bad guy. She knew they would always share a close place in each other’s hearts. The breakup was mutual and there was no reason for her to hate him.

Sade stood up and tightened sash around her robe. She glared over at Luna and back at the phone.

“I also see the cutie from last night's text, he seems really cool. You guys looked good together last night,” Sade said.

Luna closed the curtain and talked over the showerhead running.

“I think you’re right; I’m not even going to respond to Stephen. He waited this long to reach out, and he seemed preoccupied last night,” Luna said as she grabbed her towel from the hanger near the tub and wrapped it around herself.

She stepped out of the tub and took her phone from Sade. She went to Luke’s message and responded,

“Good morning handsome.”

Sade did a slight smirk and got up from the toilet lid and said, “that’s the Luna I know.”

They both got dressed and headed out to the gym. Sade and Luna did everything together. They even worked together in a cozy coffee shop called, “Mollie’s Coffee House.” After Luna and Stephen’s breakup, Luna got closer with Sade. It just so happened to be right around the time Sade was looking for a roommate. The car ride over to the gym Sade drove while Luna sat in the passenger side smiling at her phone texting Luke. They went in and spent twenty minutes on the treadmills. They both were pouring sweat from sprinting. Out of nowhere, Luna’s phone rang. It was Luke face-timing her!

“Should I answer? Oh my God, he can’t see me like this!” Luna exclaimed.

“You look fine, answer and see what he says,” Sade said.

Luna stepped down from her treadmill and walked until she reached the front door of the women’s locker room. She hit answer.

“Hi, this is unexpected,” Luna said stumbling over her words.

“Hey, I know. I just wanted you to know, you look cute in your red leggings,” Luke said laughing.

Luna looked at the screen and seen herself standing there looking lost. She almost fumbled her phone. Luke stood there smiling back at her. Luna almost panicked and walked away. Dating felt all new to her, and although sparks were there between the two Luna was still unsure. Luke started walking her way.

“What are you doing here?” Luna said looking up at Luke grinning.

“Well, this is my first time here, I just got a membership. Gotta keep up the sexy,” Luke said as he flexed his arms and raised his eyebrows.

Luna laughed and pushed his arm down, “yeah, yeah okay Mr. Cocky.”

They walked off and headed to the indoor track and walked circles and circles laughing and getting to know one another. Sade bumped in between them.

“Uh yeah, my name is Sade, Luna’s BEST friend,” Sade said with her hand reached out.

“Oh! I’m sorry, Luke this is Sade, Sade you remember Luke from last night,” Luna said.

They shook hands and Sade stepped back and looked at Luna.

“I'll be over here doing my squats if you need me,” Sade said to Luna.

Luna nodded her head and continued walking with Luke.

“Well, I really ought to be getting on, I left my friend hanging,” Luna said.

Luke grabbed Luna’s hand. She felt so embarrassed, her hands were sweating from being nervous. He looked Luna in the eye and brushed her hair behind her ear.

“When are you free? I want to take you out,” Luke said.

“Take me out where?” Luna replied.

“There’s this nice, classy restaurant a friend of mine told me about. You’ll fit right in,” Luke said grinning.

“Mmm, okay let’s do it,” Luna said.

She couldn’t believe her ears. She said yes. Luna turned down so many guys before Luke because of her heart being settled on Stephen.

“I’m free Friday night at 7,” Luna replied.

Luke smirked and squeezed her hands softly.

“Okay great, ill pick you up. Send me your address,” Luke said.

They gave each other a side-friendly hug and Luna walked off towards Sade.

Sade c****d her head to the side and did a side smile.

“So, what did he say?!” Sade exclaimed.

“I like him; he makes my knees buckle girl,” Luna said rolling her eyes and grinning.

“Also, we have a date Friday at 7!” Luna said sounding excited.

“My girl is growing up on me, I’m so happy for you,” Sade replied. “He’s cute, but also don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.”

Luna turned her head sideways and gave Sade a stern look. With her hands on her hips, she replied “Trust me I won’t. This is all for fun.”

The morning was coming to an end and they headed home to get ready for work. Their shift began at the same time, 2 pm. They started to rush as time counted down. Luna and Sade were both baristas. Luna was also taking classes at the local community college to become a cosmetologist. She always loved beauty and cosmetics, she felt it was her calling. Luna was Sade’s stylist because she could do it all. Hair, nails, makeup, you name it.

The coffee shop door swung open, and the bells rang as Luna and Sade sped in. They both tied their aprons and headed behind the counter. They're waiting for them was their boss, Mollie.

“Well, it’s nice of you two ladies to join us,” Mollie murmured.

They both rolled their eyes and ignored her. Mollie was a middle-aged woman, tall and skinny. She made sure to get on Sade and Luna’s last nerve every day before they left. Nothing they ever did was right, and she never accepted her own mistakes she made around the shop. Mollie held a type of jealousy for the two beautiful young girls. When they tried getting to know her, she had a habit of cutting them off and bringing up what they needed to do better on the job. Luna and Sade tolerated her because, although she was very particular in how she wanted things ran at her coffee shop, she constantly called out or left early. 

Four hours passed by and Mollie turned to Sade and said,

“Okay, I’m going home for the day. I’ve got a massive headache.”

She grabbed her bags and headed out the door. The girls didn’t mind, they felt more relaxed when she was gone, and this particular evening was slow. Moments passed and Luna and Sade started their routine of cleaning. The bell to the door rang as the door swung open. A young woman, clutching her laptop and purse. Luna had her back turned and Sade whispered to Luna.

“Is that her from last night?” Sade said.