"Okay, class . . I think that's all for today. You guys can leave early if you want," Mr. Venne states, wiping off the whiteboard.
People pack their things up quickly, but I slowly do it. I need to ask Mr. Venne a couple questions and I want to do it in private. I watch as the last person leaves then walk up to his desk. He turns around and looks at me for a couple seconds before speaking.
"Hi, Luna. What can I do for you?" He smiles as he grabs his coffee cup.
"Uhm, it's about yesterday . . I was wondering if you saw where that . . uh . . picture went. I can't seem to find it," I explain as I unintentionally blush.
"I have no clue. Maybe it got lost in your bag. You should check there." He goes to set the coffee cup down when it slips out of his hand and crashes to the ground.
"Fuck." I accidently curse as it splashes all over my shoes and the bottom of my pants.
"Shit, I'm sorry." He apologetically states as he grabs some napkins from inside his desk.
"It's fine. Thanks." I bend down to wipe my pants off and realize that the majority of the coffee is on my shoes.
"Shit, uhm . . maybe you should go to the . . uhm . . bathroom." He stutters and I shake my head.
"No, it'll be fine. I think I actually got most of it. I'll just smell like coffee for the whole day." I smile as I throw the napkins away.
"Hey, can you leave now and tell the class I'll be late?" He avoids my gaze and I wonder why.
"Of course." I smile then leave the room.
The rest of the school day goes by quickly. Nothing much happens which is exactly what I want. Reagan and her cronies still glare and make faces at me from a distance, but I ignore it. I get home and change my pants then head to the bookstore after slipping on a different pair of shoes.
"Is Helio upstairs?" I ask Ambrose when I walk in the book store that day.
"Yes, but your shift starts soon," Ambrose tells me.
"I know, but I just have a quick question for him. I'll be right back, I promise." I quickly make my way to the stairs then rush to his apartment.
"Coming!" A voice shouts from inside.
"Hi," I say when Helio opens the door.
"Doesn't your shift start in like two minutes?" He asks with a raised eyebrow, looking at an imaginary watch, making me smile.
"Yes, but that's not what we need to talk about. Did you-"
"Yeah, the applications are currently being looked at or so I think.''
''Great, see you later." I make my way downstairs right as my shift starts.
☼☾☼
"That was more exhausting than I expected," I admit to Ambrose, laying my head on the counter.
"Well it is Friday . ." Ambrose jokes with a boyish grin.
"Shut up. How are Saturdays?" I ask.
"Even worse unless you work in the morning which isn't as bad."
"Then I'm probably gonna work tomorrow right after you open." I smile.
"Great. That'll be a big help since I just fired someone."
"Wow, well I'd like to work until like three if that's okay."
"Why three?"
"I have something tomorrow and I'd rather not be there. I'd have an excuse if I worked til three." I explain to Ambrose, leaving out details.
"Fine, but just remember . . it'll be a Saturday afternoon." He warns and I roll my eyes as I lift my head up.
"I love Saturday afternoons. Speaking of Saturday, what will you be doing tomorrow at seven, Luna?" Helio asks as he appears out of nowhere.
"I have no idea. My only plans so far are working until three." I look at him.
"We're doing something at seven so be ready. I'll also need your address." He hops up on the counter, sitting really close to me.
"Mhm, and why should I go along with this?" I joke, grinning.
"Because I said so . . and honestly I need more than two friends. Being a third wheel is not fun."
"I've brought people along with us."
"I appreciate that, but your boyfriend and you have some strange friends."
"No, we do not!" Ambrose exclaims, looking offended.
"Luna, if a guy asked to see your place after only knowing you for two hours, how would you feel?" Helio looks directly at me.
"Creeped out. He was to wait at least two days, depending on how he acts."
"So, if he was already acting possessive within four hours of knowing him would it be a no?"
"Most definitely."
"Exactly! Point proven!" Helio exclaims with a wide grin.
"Whatever, I'm tired. One of you lock up." Ambrose heads to the door to the stairs, shutting it behind him softly.
"It's only like eight-thirty. You can hang out for an hour, can't you?"
"Yeah, let me text Kira just in case." I pull out my phone and type out a text to her as Helio locks the door.
Me: Hey, can please I hangout for another hour or two?
Kira: Sure, but be home by eleven. You have to be up at like 11:30
Me: Actually I have to come in at like eight and I'll be working til 3
Kira: You have that lady coming out, can you get out of it?
Me: I dunno, I already agreed. I should of thought about that.
Kira: She's coming at 1:30, could you try and at least be home by 2:30?
Me: I dunno. Ambrose already went to bed. I guess I could talk to him in the morning.
Kira: No, it's fine. I'll tell the lady that you're working, maybe she can stay a little longer. You'll be here by 3, right?
Me: I dunno. I'm a busy, hardworking woman so I can't promise anything.
Kira: Whatever, see you soon
After telling Helio that I can stay until eleven, we head to his apartment. He accidentally locked the door again so I had to wait for him to get the key. We walked into his apartment and I immediately collapsed on his couch.
"Long day?" He sits next to me, putting my feet on his lap.
"Very." I sigh as I stretch my arms.
"Did you wear that shirt to school?" He looks me and I look down at my shirt.
"Yeah, why?" I look back to him.
"It's low-cut which is fine unless you bent down."
"Fuck." I curse as I facepalm. No wonder Mr. Venne was acting so strange.
"You bent down, didn't you?"
"Obviously." I groan then mutter,
"He's already seen enough of me."
"Wait, who?" Helio gives me this worried look.
"My calculus and photography teacher. He's literally seen a picture of me and now down my shirt. I think I'm gonna have to switch classes." I ramble.
"A picture like a nude? How in the hell did he see that?" He sternly asks
"It's a long story."
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Not really. Can we just sit here and talk about other things?"
"Of course." So that's what we do.
