Full Moon

New Hope

    I lie in bed and the New Year’s Eve party is going on downstairs. This brings some sort of excitement. Other than the odd encounter I had earlier in the day. Is it the weird feeling I had that she could see me, or is it her face I can’t get out of my head? I sloth downstairs and join the party. I see my mom enjoying her hosting duties. She is wearing a velvet black dress with sequins around the collar and sleeve. My sister cheerfully helping, her golden hair up with a matte red floor length dress. Dad is yacking it up with the executives from work. August has brought a girl he’s been cuddled up with all night. He’s wearing a sapphire blue tailored suit with his golden hair slicked back. August and Isla get the golden hair from my mother. Mine is dark like my fathers. August’s date has on a knee length black dress that flares. I head outside to sit. I’m so used to being alone to myself I forget what it’s like to socialize, as if I could do that anyway. I hear heels tapping the ground coming my way. The tapping stops behind me. “What happened, couldn’t decide between the gingerbread latte or the vanilla bean?” 

        I look behind me and stare at the ground. Starting from her silver shoes I travel up from her floor length silk, light blue dress to her face. It’s her. My girl from the coffee shop. My girl. I look around and I am completely alone outside. I look back at her and gaze into her big brown eyes. Her hair is straight this time. Long with soft curls flowing down her arms and back. “Huh…hi..” I say hesitantly, still locked in on her eyes as she is locked in to mine.

    "Why did you run away like that at the coffee shop?" she asked still smiling. 

    "I-I forgot my wallet" I said still not believing she is speaking to me. "I see." she said as she sat down next to me. 

    "I've never seen you before are you new around here?" I ask nervously. It's been so long since I've had a conversation I'm completely out of practice. 

    She tucks her chestnut hair behind her ear, "I just moved here last month. Your sister helped me get the job at the coffee shop. She knows the manager."

    "How do you know she's my sister?" I ask perplexed." Well I just assumed. I saw your family portrait above the fireplace inside." 

    "And how do you know my sister?" I'm still locked in to her eyes.

    " We go to the same University, well went. I"m taking a break to help take care of my mom."

    "What is wrong with your mom?" Immediately I realize I am asking way too many invasive questions.

    "Well, she is sick and..." She looks down shyly. I immediately feel bad and try to divert the subject.

    "I'm sorry, I just feel like I've known you." Theo don't mess this up. Keep the conversation going. Don't make her leave.

    "And how are you enjoying the party so far?" I collect myself. 

    "It's amazing. Your family really goes all out, it's incredible." she says tucking back her hair behind her ear again. I would love to tuck back her hair myself. Her Chai skin is so beautiful in the moonlight.

"And you? Are you enjoying yourself Mr. Harrison?" She said smiling and amused.

    "More than you know." I said looking dead into her eyes. I could live there for the rest of eternity. "And it's Theo."

    "Nice to meet you Theo." I'm Luna. Luna Snow."

    "Luna. Like the moon?" I ask curiously.

    "Yes like the moon. My mother was an astronomer before..before she got sick." I can tell talking about her mother makes her very sad. She must be really sick for her to drop out of school to take care of her. She is selfless.

"It's a beautiful name." I wholeheartedly say. I feel like I can say anything that comes to my mind with her.

    She smiles and looks up. Blue lights are glowing across her face and I hear a pop. I look up and the midnight fireworks are going off. She is watching but I can't take my eyes off of her. Between the moon and the fireworks lighting up her face, I'm afraid I'll never be able to look away. 

    Just as I think that, my sister comes over to sit down next to Luna. I quickly get up. I can't let her see that I am a ghost when my sister comes over not acknowledging me and sitting down in my spot. Luna is still looking up and I am able to slip away. I keep my eyes on her. My sister goes to speak to her and she looks over confused. She looks around searching, disappointed even. She wanted to keep talking to me.

    The countdown begins and oh how I wish I could give her that New Year's kiss. What am I even doing? For a moment I had hope. Hope for this despairing non life I live. I follow her with my eyes the rest of the night hiding out. I catch her looking around and get a sense of excitement that she's looking for me. Why would you want her to get fixated on you, you're dead. I shake my head and try and forget about her and just go to my room but I can't. Some man has come up to her to chat. He better not stay long. He needs to move on if he thinks he's good enough for her. I have this protective energy about her that I can't explain. Maybe it's because I feel so helpless. What could I even do if she was in danger. If she did want to go home with this guy. F...ugh the thought makes me infuriated. 

    My sister comes up to Luna to interrupt. Good job Isla. The man looks disappointed and walks away. I understand the feeling. Look at her in that silk blue dress that fits her curves perfectly. Her hair just cascading down her back. Barely any makeup because she doesn't need it, perfect skin, perfect face. She looks around and again and I hear her mention brother. Oh no. Isla looks around and finds August, points him out, and is soon distracted by another guest. Luna looks confused but doesn't ask anymore to Isla. She heads over to throw her put her drink on the waiters tray and heads toward the door. She gets her coat and looks at her phone typing something. Is she texting someone? Is someone coming to pick her up? I could just get in the car and make sure she gets home safe. What am I saying I am not a stalker. 5 minutes later an Uber pulls up. She gets in and shuts the door. She looks up to the sky in the direction of the moon as the car pulls off. I can't physically feel anything but it still hurts in an odd way. I feel like my whole heart just left with her in that car.

    I head upstairs to my room to lay awake for the rest of the night dreaming of when I can see her next. The guest leave and everyone is gone by 3 am. A few more hours and I can see if she is working today. 7 am comes around and I start heading toward the coffee shop. I wait for her to show up and I will just casually walk in a non creepy way and ...and what? Ask her for her phone number, no I can't pick up a phone. This was a bad idea I should just leave her alone. 

    A little before 9 here she comes. Hair in a long ponytail, the snow falling on her cold blushed cheeks. I'll wait an hour. I don't want to seem desperate. I look back over at the bell tower clock, 10:27. This is a very normal time to head in. I'm too excited. I walk in and it's not busy. I head straight to the counter and she's looking down doodling something but I can't make it out. "Luna" I said almost like a question, but she didn't look up. "Excuse me, Luna?" Nothing. It's like she is the same as everyone else now. She can't see me or hear me. Someone comes in and the door chimes. She looks up, "Welcome to New Crest Coffee."  she says to them. I wave my hands in front of her. Nothing.