Moonstar

Alapaap - Eraserheads

Invisible fist punches me in the gut, knocking the breath out of me, at the sight of Luna curled in a tight ball of black coat, pasted raven hair, and maroon boots. From being buried in between her knees, she lifts and tilts her head. Our eyes meet-hers blinking and mine steady-through the dark tint and back and forth swish of wipers of my car as the rain pounds down as though washing London of its sins at two in the morning.

Under the harsh light of the bus stop, she looks like a fragile little thing. Only, she isn't. There's strength and darkness behind that feminine heart-shaped face and petite frame.

She visibly shivers and tightens her hold of herself on the bench. Seatbelt off, I step out into the freezing rain and race to her. She leaps to her feet and I manage to grab her guitar case before she does.

"I got it. Get in the car, Luna. It's freezing."

Wordlessly, she runs to the passenger's side while I deposit her guitar case into the backseat. I move to the driver's side. The door closes with a thud and I immediately adjust the heater to maximum.

"I'm getting your car seat wet," she mutters beside me.

"I don't mind."

The smile I wear fades when I turn to see her shrugging her coat off, revealing yellow muscle tee and dark art permanently painted on tan skin. She pulls her hair down and combs her fingers through it, allowing me a glimpse of her sports bra.

In this close proximity and dim privacy of my car, everything becomes amplified. The smoothness of her skin and subtle sweetness permeating the thick air. Every heavy draw and release of breath, both hers and mine.

I peel my eyes off her. Swish, swish, swish, the wipers go. Clearing my throat, I say, "Nowhere, huh?"

She sighs a deep breath but otherwise stays silent. No surprise. I didn't expect her to divulge her whole life to me only having reunited hours ago after years. We'll get there.

"Where do you want me to take you, Luna?" Why were you out there at this hour and with this rain? What happened? What do you need? How can I help?

"Sa alapaap," she mumbles under her breath.

"What's that?" I ask, turning to her and cocking my head to the side.

She stifles a grin by pulling her lips back between her teeth. Her eyes glimmer with amusement, replacing the dullness and exhaustion in them a moment ago.

I can't help but smile although I have no idea what amused her. She used to do this. She'd say something in Filipino but never translate or explain its meaning, leaving us wondering until we get the answer on our own.

Retrieving my phone from the console, I open a translation app but before I can type in the word, Luna says, "Can I crash at your place tonight?"

My eyes drift back to her face whilst I lock my phone and put it back down. She wants to go home with me?

"I just don't like wasting money for a motel room," she explains.

"I was in the impression you're roommates with Zach and the rest of your band." As the words hang in the air, I put the car on drive.

"I moved out."

"When?"

"Don't really want to talk about it, Apollo," she dismisses.

Alright then.

So I wasn't imagining that tension between her and Kai. Not gonna lie, it's been messing with my head since I noticed the way he stalked and stood behind her, the way his eyes claimed her. I didn't like it but I didn't say anything. I also didn't want to leave the pub without making sure she got home safely but I saw the panic in her eyes when I told her about Ocean and Paxton driving down there. I intercepted their arrival just as I told her I would, gave them vague answers to their questions about how the hell I ended outside a shady pub. They didn't question me further because Apollo Villin never lies. I got into Paxton's Ferrari whilst Ocean drove his bike, and we went back to the institute's parking lot for my beemer. The entire time I was with my two best friends, my mind swam with thoughts of her. The moment they were out of my studio, I called her and thank god I did.