~MY LUNA ~UnEdited~on Watty

chapter 11: AT home ✓

I woke up the next morning feeling a sense of lightness I hadn't known in a long time. The warmth of the sunlight streaming through the window seemed to reflect the happiness I felt inside. The strange weight on my heart from yesterday had lifted, and I couldn't help but smile as I stretched, basking in the quiet joy of simply being. Today, I was determined to embrace whatever came my way.

I made my way to the living room, my heart still fluttering from the excitement of yesterday, feeling like I hadn't lost my way-either figuratively or literally. My thoughts drifted to Taylor, and I couldn't help but smile again. But my daydreaming was interrupted by a familiar voice behind me.

"Good morning, Luna."

I turned around, startled to see Eli standing there, his smile wide and bright, though the title he used still made me wince.

"Eli, hi. Please, just call me Gift," I said, trying to hide the awkwardness in my tone.

"Okay, Lu-sorry, Gift," Eli corrected himself with a quick chuckle as he walked past me.

I didn't pay much attention to him. My stomach rumbled loudly-loudly enough that even Eli looked back at me in surprise. I was *so* hungry, like an insatiable craving had taken over me. "What's for breakfast?" I asked eagerly, my thoughts preoccupied with food.

To my delight, there was a wolf-shaped cake on the table, though it didn't look the best-its shape was lopsided, the frosting a little too thick-but it didn't matter. When I took a bite, the taste was absolutely divine. I couldn't help but devour it, despite the odd look it had. It felt like a guilty pleasure, and I was too hungry to care about appearances.

After breakfast, I approached my mother, asking for permission to leave the house. I had plans, and nothing was going to stop me from exploring more of the world outside. She agreed but gave me one condition: Eli would have to come with me.

"Take this," she said, handing me a small pouch with 5,000 wonnies. "Go, but be careful. And Eli, keep an eye on her."

We both thanked her, and with that, we set off.

The walk to the market was long, but surprisingly enjoyable. The excitement bubbling in my chest made the distance feel shorter. My mind was still racing with thoughts of everything that had happened recently, but the vivid market sights pulled me away from my deep musings. There were so many things to see! Colorful stalls filled with all kinds of goods. Fresh fruits, vibrant fabrics, intricate trinkets, and strange-looking foods I had never seen before.

As we walked, I could feel the exhilaration growing. I screamed in excitement when I saw an array of handcrafted charms hanging from a stall, my voice echoing through the market. Eli laughed softly at my enthusiasm. I didn't care. I was in my element.

I walked toward a pork stand, where the scent of sizzling meat teased my senses. The vendor, an older man with a grizzled face, saw me eyeing his goods and offered me a sample. I hesitated but accepted it, and when I took a bite, I couldn't believe how tender and flavorful it was. My stomach rumbled again, but I didn't admit how much I liked it-no, that would be too obvious. Instead, I smiled politely, nodded, and moved on.

The market was a labyrinth of delights, and I couldn't help but wander from stall to stall, tasting whatever was offered to me. The pork stand was revisited several times, each time with my taste buds more and more satisfied. But there was something else that caught my eye.

"Eli, I want that!" I exclaimed, pointing at a beautiful vampire-themed necklace, paired with matching earrings and a delicate hairpin that shimmered in the sunlight.

Eli raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, Gift? It looks expensive."

I nodded eagerly. "I don't care! I need it."