The Old Luna's Back

I arrived at school fifteen minutes after the bell rang.

"Fuck! I slept in," I cussed in my breath. I hope the gates are still open. I ran to the entrance but saw that the gates were already closed. Ah fuck!

"Miss Harper! I see you're back to your old self again?" the disciplinarian shouted.

"So feisty early in the morning, Ma'am? What your husband didn't touch you last night. Your hormones are all over," I said after seeing how she chose her style for today. "For a disciplinarian, you sure don't look like one," I added.

She was about to slap me but I grabbed her hand before she could hit me. The guards were staring at us whispering if they should break it off or not.

"Look, it's not my fault I hit a nerve there, but you do know the Harper name, don't you? Hit me and you'll suffer the consequences," I said.

"Hmph," the disciplinarian scoffed. "Don't get too cocky," she added.

She let me pass and I went straight running to the room.

As soon as I arrived in the room, I bursted the door open which stopped everyone mid-discussion.

"Miss Harper!" our teacher yelled, but I didn't mind and went to my seat.

I can hear everyone whispering and I can't help but smirk at their comments.

'Oh my god, she's back.'

'What the hell is the sudden change?'

'Ugh, she's back.'

'Queen's back to her normal self.'

"Miss Harper, didn't you hear me? I am calling you!" the teacher said in anger.

"Whatever," I said and went on using my phone as if nothing wrong was happening.

"Do you want me to drag you out of my room by myself? Not only were you late for class but you dressed up like a hooker? This is an educational institution, Miss Harper, not a club. Mr. Cooper, call the disciplinarian now," he said.

"Don't bother. That bitch won't lay a finger on me because she has been warned," I said, not paying any attention to the most senior person in the room.

"You know what sir? If you use that energy of yours to continue on teaching the lesson then we would be done earlier, but if you like to exhaust all your energy to this brat," I said pausing and pointed a finger to myself. "...then you will be wasting your precious time because no matter what you say, I won't listen at all."

The teacher let out a deep sigh admitting defeat. He continued his lecture and I on the other hand was not paying any attention at all to anything he was teaching.

Suddenly my phone beeped.

'Wow Queen! You're back?' Kate messaged the group chat.

'Obviously,' I replied.

Well, I wasn't really surprised with the reaction the teacher showed earlier because I am dressed like one. I am wearing my white buttoned shirt differently and by differently I mean - three unbuttoned buttons from the top, a loose necktie around my neck and the ends of it are tied in a knot, showing a bit of skin. I was still wearing my jacket and plaid skirt, but I purposefully chose the shorter skirt.

I heard a guy whistling while checking me out. I rolled my eyes and lifted my middle finger to his face.

"Miss Harper!" the teacher called my attention again.

"What? He started it. I said pointing my finger at the guy," with a childish tone. The teacher just shook his head in frustration and forgot whatever he was about to say in front of me.

The classes became more boring than usual. I wasn't paying any attention actually not until I heard the bell rang for lunch. Everyone started rushing out of the door and into the cafeteria.

Kate was so excited to see me in my current state. She's really cute. I know she adores me that much, that's why I know I can rely on her. Jane, on the other hand, is Valerie's pet. Jane… we really haven't seen eye to eye. She joined right after Kate. She's very quiet and obedient, and always gives that cold stare. Yet, she clicked with us because she's gutsy and still bad-ass.

I remember Jane grabbing another girl's hair just because that girl was trying to badmouth her right in front of her crush. Yup, she's one cold-hearted girl but still soft inside.

Valerie on the other hand doesn't really seem happy at all.

"Why the frown face, Val?" I asked.

"Nothing," she replied, looking directly ahead and not even bother glancing at me.

I stopped walking and crossed my arms. "I asked you why the frown face, Vale--"

Before I can even ask her again, I stopped mid-sentence when I felt a splash of juice right into my chest. As shocked as I am, the culprit dropped and kneel in front of me immediately seeing who she bumped into.

"Stupid!!" I shouted.

"Queen, I-I'm really sorry. I didn't… I wasn't looking and I--" she was trying to compose herself. She stood up and her shaking hand grabbed a handkerchief from her pocket and tried to wipe off the evidence.

I lifted two fingers in her face which made her stop and I started poking her forehead in anger. "You have no right to touch me. Even with your glasses, you're fucking stupid for not seeing what's right in front of you." On the last statement, I pushed her hard causing her to fall but she was caught by someone else in time.

Everyone gasped to see who it was. I, too, was shocked to see who it was but I composed myself. I rolled my eyes and glanced the other way.

"Are you alright?" he asked. The girl only nodded.

"Go and fix yourself up. I'll handle her," he continued. The girl who was shaking nervously obeyed his words. Her friends followed her then.

"You girls, go ahead. Have your lunch without me," I said while looking at Kate and the others. Kate nodded and dragged both Valerie and Jane out of the scene.

"The rest of you, stop looking. This ain't a movie scene. Fuck off," I said with a commanding tone. Everyone then continued walking and doing their business. Yet, the man in front of me is just staring, but I didn't bother to give a glance.

I turned away, heading out to the comfort room but then a hand held my wrist stopping me from going.

"Let me go, Nate," I said calmly. He didn't say a word but a jacket fell over my shoulders covering my chest which was showing my undergarment.

"It was your fault too, you know. You were also not looking where you were heading," he said whispering to me.

"Shut the fuck up. Leave me alone," I said, but my heart says otherwise.

"I won't. Go and wash up. Eat your lunch," he said and then walked away.

I wanted to cry my heart out, but I clenched my fists and continued walking towards the locker to get a change of clothes then to the bathroom.

Finally the day is over. The girls were blabbering about where to head off since it's still early. Kate wants to go shopping and Jane wants to head home because her parents are having a visitor.

"Sorry, Kate. I won't be able to come with you. I have some business to tend to," I said. Her gleeful expression turned to sour in an instant.

"Oh come on, Lu!! We haven't really hung out ever since you got back to school. You were always tending to some business after school," she said while clinging to my arm and showing me her best puppy eyes.

"I really can't Kate. Okay?" She knows that when I decline, no one can change my mind. I'll just get furious if she insists even more.

"Fine! Then Valerie can come," she said. "Will you?"

"No. I also have someone to meet. Goodbye," Valerie said, leaving us three alone by the entrance of the school.

"What's up with her? She's been grumpier than usual," Kate said.

"Airhead," Jane commented.

"Whatever Jane!" Kate said while making a goofy annoyed face infront of Jane.

"What is it with Valerie these days? I can't seem to understand her. One day she's being sass and then next, she's grumpier than Hulk. Jane?" I asked curiously. Truly, I am confused about what's going on with Valerie's mind.

"Why are you asking me? Aren't you two closer than we are? You should know the answer by that, Queen," she answered coldly.

"For fuck sake, Jane. I really can't get anything out from you when it comes to Valerie," I sighed.

"You know what Luna. Things have changed ever since you were gone leaving us three behind. You come back here, reclaiming everything. There were lines crossed there. You're smart. You should have understood that," Jane said then left me and Kate hanging.

I shook my head and didn't mind what she just said. I guess Valerie's moping around a problem again from home. I remember her complaining about it to me during our freshman years.

Valerie and I met during freshman year. We've been closed. Our parents know one another and we always were together during elite events. We were always introduced together too. It's like we were Blair and Serena from Gossip Girls.

I bid farewell to Kate and headed towards the train station. As usual, I did my routine - changing my outfit and my style looking like a different person. Sometimes, I feel like I have lost my own identity. I don't know who Luna Harper really is. Am I the heiress Luna? Or the employee Luna? I feel lost and like no matter what I do, I can't seem to find my way back.

I checked my phone while on the train. I kept receiving a bunch of messages from Nate. He kept asking me if I already, notes of take care and reminders if ever I forgot something.

My heart aches reading his message, but I don't know how to reply to it. I have made my decision and I want to commit to that decision. He will be able to move on and forget about me.

I am too confused to be involved with him. Plus, I can never go against my Grandfather's wishes. Edward Harper always has his ways of getting what he wants for the family. His word is final. I remembered how Father always had to prove himself in front of him because Grandfather disapproves of him as my mother's fiancee.

I was actually born before Mom and Dad got married. I was an accident per se. At first, Grandfather showed hatred towards me but when I showed interest in business his perspective changed, but that changed again when I was being stubborn and a troubleamker.

I arrived at the staff room and the other staff greeted me. I always feel welcome here at Coffee Blooms. I have always been grateful to Ms. Ava, our branch manager, who has always been lenient with me since day one.

"Hey, Selene. Someone dropped off something for you. It's by the table. Gosh girl! You should really teach me how to bag handsome men," Jessica said. She's older than me and one amongst the single staff. She's a very hopeless romantic kind of person - loves to read a lot of romance stories and watch romance movies.

At the same time my phone rang, then I saw it was Nate's message.

'I got you some sunflowers. It's funny because your name is literally a moon but I gave you a sun. I hope it cheers you up.'

I smelled the freshly wrapped flowers, which made me smile.

"What's with a sad smile, dear?" Ms. Ava asked. I didn't realize it, not until she mentioned it. Am I that obvious?

"Oh! I--Nothing. I better prepare for my shift," I said and excused myself and continued to open my locker to get my necessities for my shift.

The following days, I have been turning the school upside down. People are keeping their distance from me but one guy was still being consistent in his efforts.

It's lunch time and I'm currently here at the rooftop. A few minutes later Nate came in with a cellophane bag hanging on his left hand.

"Tsch," I cursed in my breath. 'The last person I really wanna see right now is him. Not really in a mood. I have to find a way to push him away… for good.' I thought to myself.

He put the bag beside me and walked away without a word. It shocked me for a second but then I was confused too because he just left without saying anything. He usually has something to say. His efforts had never failed. He is still being consistent, but I just don't feel like it. I fear that if we do continue together, along the way we will still end up not being together. So, what's the point of going through all that if we just gonna end up shit, right?

"Mr. Transferee Guy," I called. "I think you have mistaken me for someone else. I don't take food from strangers." He stopped before he could reach the door. He turned around and took a step closer to me.

I held my hand in front of my chest, creating a significant amount of distance between us.

"You know you're pushing your luck too much with me," I said, but he still didn't say anything. Instead he looked straight into my eyes. I saw how sad he is with what's happening between us but it also has a mix of yearning and confusion. I can see that he has a lot of questions up his sleeve that want answers.

If only I had one for every question.

Suddenly, I felt his lips upon mine. My eyes widened because I didn't expect him to kiss me and somehow I closed my eyes and my body flowed with him. I kissed back. My arms wrapped around his neck, his on my waist. Our tongues tied, gasping for domination. I can feel a rise of sexual tension between us but I grabbed his hair pulling away before this got any worse.

"You're a good kisser, Mr. Transferee. I will applaud you for that, but not great," I commented. He whispered something but I couldn't hear it clearly.

"What are you babbling about?" By then I took steps back creating a good deal of distance between us. I wiped off the remains from our kiss on my lips and straightened myself like nothing happened.

"Why?! Why are you being oblivious?" he asked with an angry voice. His head was bowing down with one hand covering his face. I can sense frustration and confusion. He wants answers to questions, I myself couldn't convince myself if it's even the right answer.

"Why? Are you kidding me? I'm the Queen. I can do whatever I want. Didn't you know I just played along with you? That's how I am Nathaniel. I tag along men till they break and confess their love to me. I find entertainment seeing them beg me to stay… Just like what you are doing now," I scoffed.

"So, it was just a game for you? Everything was just a lie?" he asked straight to my face, clear signs of anger were written all over his facial expression.

"If I say yes, would you believe me? Because I know better. People want to believe what they want to believe, that's why a lot are blind from what's real because they stick with fantasies," I said. He didn't answer.

"Want me to prove to you how easy I can move past to another man?"

He turned around and laughed - a sad and forced one. Then he said, "I know you feel the same way for me, just as how I feel for you. Why are you denying yourself a chance to love? A chance to experience real love?"

I didn't answer, rather I challenged him that I can easily move from one person to the other because there are no strings attached. "See you tomorrow at the cafeteria and I'll show you the real Luna."

(The Next Day)

I invited the girls to have our lunch by the cafeteria. At first they wanted to eat out, but I was able to convince them otherwise. The girls and I got our meal after a long line and we were seated at the center which is basically our territory ever since.

Subconsciously, I was looking around the cafeteria looking for Nate. Kate noticed it and asked me if I was expecting someone to join us.

"No. Not really," I denied.

"Are you sure? You haven't stopped scanning the room since we arrived earlier," she said. I nodded my head as a response then continued glancing every now and then.

Kate was excited about something because she seemed to overheard some of the teachers planning big the following week for the senior batch. She was guessing what could it be or is it related to the annual ball. Jane dismissed and told her that she should really stop eavesdropping on the professors for some intel. Kate on the other defended her saying that it was just an accident that she overheard them.

After a while I was able to see the person I am looking for in this crowd. Our eyes met. I was the first one to break away the contact because it made me hesitant over what I decided to do. He was with a few of our classmates, but he was silent while the others around him were pretty talkative. He kept on glancing my way, checking up on me.

I pretend to talk with Kate, Jane and Valerie in order to show him that his presence doesn't bother me anymore. I hope it shows that way. I hope it's not too obvious that I am planning something stupid right now.

"Valerie, you've been quiet these past few days. What's wrong honey?" I asked, while I took a bite from my cake. Weirdly, I eat sweets before eating the meat.

"You," she said.

"Me? What do you mean 'me'?" I suddenly get confused all of sudden. My attention shifted to our conversation instead.

"I don't know Lu. Maybe you are acting all crazy differently after a month. I mean, yeah… you were already different when you came back for the first day because there weren't many parties, booze, but now… I heard from Jane that you've been hanging a lot lately with that scholar cheap boy. I knew you had something going on since the cafe study date we had but I thought you were just stringing him along," Valerie explained.

"What is it to you if I do what I do Val? Have I ever questioned your actions?" I scoffed back. She didn't reply.

"You know that I get what I want to get. No reasons. No excuses. Or have you forgotten that?" I asked with a serious tone.

"No. I haven't," she replied,

"Good," I said.

I stood up and saw Chase was sitting across our table. I smirked when I thought of the idea of hitting two birds with one stone.

"You want booze and a party? I'll give it to you. I'll even bring the men," I said confidently and walked towards Chase's table. I heard Kate gasping.

"Hey Chase," I said, tapping his shoulder to notice my presence.

"Wow! Wow! Wow! I didn't expect the Queen would be the first to take notice of me. Hello, babe. What's up?" Chase sarcastically said. I signaled the guy on his right to move and give space. He did exactly what I said and I sat on Chase's lap, put my head over his shoulders and glanced my look towards Nate then whispered, "Party tomorrow at Valerie's apartment. Bring the boys and let's have some fun." I didn't break my eye contact with Nate as I was seducingly whispering my invite to Chase.

Chase is a known casanova but even if girls already knew about him, they always still end up falling for his charms and Valerie is actually one of them. That's why I made sure it would be set at Valerie's apartment instead of mine.

I was about to stand up and go back to my table when Chase pulled me closer to him. His hands all over my waist. I played along by putting my arms around his and looked at his direction.

It was my first time seeing Chase up front. He does have the build of an athlete captain of the basketball team and I won't deny his looks because he really does have one. His eyes are enough to swallow you with his charms.

"Will you be my 'fun'?" he asked. The boys were teasing and wooing us when they heard Chase's invitation.

I gave him a peck by the cheek and whispered to his ears, "Let's see if you're worth it."

I walked away and went back to our table. I saw Valerie being furious and Jane was trying to comfort Val.

"What the hell were you thinking Lu? You know Val has already dibs on Chase," Jane argued.

"Chill your hormones because I just got us men coming to Valerie's tomorrow night for a party ---" I said to them.

"And to every single one of you here right now, PARTY AT VALERIE'S TOMORROW MIDNIGHT. Bring your own booze and chips. Let's party all night!" I shouted at the top of my lungs making sure every student in the cafeteria heard the invite.

The Old Luna's back and she's only getting started.