Lunar's Eclipse || Wattys 2019

Two: Remembering Lucas

"I brought you some coffee." I say to Tess as I take off my jacket and hand her the coffee cup and a muffin.

She sits up slowly and I put more pillows behind her back.

"Thanks." she says quietly.

"Are you feeling better?" I ask and she smiles at me as she nods, even though she flinches as she raises her chin to drink the coffee.

The fact that Lucas did this to Tess tears at me. All I've ever wanted was for them to understand each other...at least for me.

Tess would rather die than give Lucas a chance. And Lucas? Well, let's just say the only chance he'd give Tess is in bed with him.

"I shouldn't have let him do that to you." I say as I hand her an aspirin and she holds my hand.

"Lu, stop saying that. You were just as helpless. I'm just glad you finally stood up to him and even better, you broke up with him." she says in an excited tone and I turn to her to see happiness dance in her eyes.

If breaking up with Lucas was good, then why am I not as happy as she is?

"At least you're getting better." I say to Tess, avoiding the topic about the break-up and I peck her on the cheek.

I can feel her eyes on me as I get to my bed.

"You did the right thing Lu." she says and I nod. Not trusting myself to speak.

I did do the right thing, didn't I?

"And I know that--" Tess stops when my phone starts ringing.

I turn it over.
Lucas.
It's the first call since I broke up with him last night. I stare at the phone like in a trance.

I thought he'd never call, and now.....
Now I want to pick.

I turn and Tess has her eyes on me.

"He doesn't deserve you." she says and I nod, using all the strength I can to send it to voicemail and wondering if he would call again.

I bury my face in my hands now, thinking.
What if he is hurt?
What if he misses me?
What if he is unhappy?

Worse... What if he needs help?

"I think you should go out and take a breather." Tess says and I nod. She was right.

Staying in here wouldn't exactly do me any good.

I don't hesitate in taking a shower and change into a sleeveless denim playsuit and a pair of sneakers.

"Oh, and Lu?" Tess calls just as I have my hand on the doorknob.

I turn to her.

"Be strong." she says, begging me more with her eyes than her words and I nod and leave.

***

I head straight for the restaurants, deciding to do my Saturday routine a bit earlier than usual.

Following the back door of the first restaurant, I walk into the kitchen.

My visits there have made me a reputation and I get several greetings.

"Hey! It's Lunar." Chef Pablo greets me and I smile at him.

"You're early today. Any date tonight?" he teases and I shake my head.

"I just have a lot to do. Is it ready?" I ask and he nods.

"Meet Jackson over there. He'll give it to you." he says and points to a guy at the far end.