THE LUNAR ECLIPSE

CHAPTER ONE

It was late in the afternoon and the sun was peeking from behind the clouds, it was the perfect kind of day for a hot cup of cocoa and a Christmas movie. Looking down at the tray of brownies in my hands, I couldn't help but smile. There was something about baked treats which gave me profound happiness.

"Aria, it'll be fun, don't be a spoilsport," he says. I roll my eyes before looking over at my annoying best friend only to see him stuffing cupcakes into his face. "It's not a secret that the only thing on your schedule is trying out boring recipes, so why not add some spice to your life tiger."

"Well, my dear Zac, considering that my recipes are so boring, maybe you should stop dropping in for free treats every day," I retaliate.

"Don't be upset by the fact that I am the only person who likes your boring recipes Ria," he mocked, stuffing more cupcakes as I flipped him off.

"Honey, you and I both now that you're obsessed with me and the wonders that I whip up," I say. Glancing over at the occupied tables of the café, I couldn't help but feel content at how my boring recipes, as Zac likes to say, was actually making people happy.

The sound of the front door swinging open catches our attention, only to see Giana walk in dressed as if she's attending a funeral. "It looks like Ria wasn't the only one to wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," says Zac, only to get rewarded with a kick in the shins from Giana

"You seriously have a talent, don't you Zac Samuels? How you manage to piss off both your friends at the same time is seriously questionable," I shoot back.

"I'm very much tempted to destroy your figurines Samuels," says Giana looking bored.

Zac looked horrified. "You wouldn't," he gasped as if he had lost something precious.

"Try me," she said while smirking at Zac, who looked like he was in literal pain. Their constant banter was a source of daily entertainment for me and I couldn't have asked for better friends. My thoughts are interrupted as Aki Wong, the server, walks in.

"Freshly baked pecan pie coming right up," he announces. 'You look very pale Zac, is everything alright?" he adds looking at Zac, who just gives a polite nod.

Watching my friends shoot daggers at each other, I think about how lucky I am to have them. Giana is the perfect example of look at me and I'll kill you, she's a sadist, ready to fight if someone as much as breathes too close to her and her favourite routine of hating Zac and his man parts always has everyone entertained.

Then there's Zac, full of drama and always ready to say something which might either create or destroy the mood. He's a typical 27-year-old gay man who uses sarcasm as a self-defence and will definitely not survive if there was a zombie apocalypse. Not forgetting how oblivious he is towards others feelings.

"Well Giana, now that you're here you can help me convince Aria for a vacation in Miami," says Zac pulling me out of my thoughts. "She spends too much time in the café anyways and we haven't done anything fun in ages."

"That's the only good thing you've said today, Zac. Come on Ria, you deserve a break from all this hard work," Giana responds.

"Go on Aria, go have some fun. I promise to look after the café in your absence," says Aki.

Looking at the hopeful faces of my two best friends I couldn't help but agree. "Ok, lets go have some fun," I say as a full-blown smile breaks out on both their faces.

"I'm going to head out now, lots of plans and preparations to do, says Zac. Love you guys, bye. See you later Aki," he adds. I look over to Aki only to find him blushing.

"I'll join you as well Samuels. Bye loves, see you later Ria,' Giana says. They both walk out after giving me a hug.

"So," I say as I look back at Aki. "When are you going to tell him?" He looked over at me gaping.

"Tell who and what should I tell this person?" he asks bewildered. He turned over to the coffee machine as he avoided my eyes.

"Come one, Aki. You don't have to hide it, everyone already knows." I reply smirking.

"What?" he exclaims. "Zac knows that I like him?" The look on his face is so vulnerable, it confuses me for a second.

"Why do you look so upset? It's not a bad thing you know," I say. This man has been in love with my best friend since they first met each other but the reason for his worry is beyond my understanding.

"I know liking someone is not a bad thing Aria, it's just that Zac never seems to notice me even when I'm in the same room," he says looking upset. "Now that Zac knows I like him, he will never look at me the same again," he adds.

"Don't worry Aki, Zac doesn't know anything. That man may be a brilliant executive but when it comes to romance and feelings he is as dense as a rhinos hide," I say laughing. "Although, on a serious note you really shouldn't be afraid to tell him about your feelings. I'm sure he feels something for you as well, he's just oblivious to his own feelings," I add as I move towards the door to close up.

"Well, that's something I have no control over, I'm happy admiring him from afar at the moment," says Aki as he munches on the leftover brownies.

"Coward," I say rolling my eyes at him. A shadow near the window catches my attention only for it to disappear the next second. Moving towards the blinds, I peer outside, which is when I see it. A shrieking banshee!!!

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Authors

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