After a long, restless week, I finally sat down to pen a letter to my parents. I poured my heart into the pages, urging my mum to please take care of herself and eat something, I know how much sh'll be struggling with her meals now. I detailed my experiences, sharing snippets of my new life and my newfound friend, while carefully omitting any details that might lead them to come searching for me. I reassured my brothers, telling them not to worry about me—I was alright. With a gentle sigh, I sealed the letter and slipped it into the mailbox before heading off to work.
My new boss was a young man with a friendly demeanor that put me at ease. There was something about him that felt familiar, almost comforting, reminiscent of time spent with my own father. I had missed that connection. He had a quiet presence, often lost in the pages of a book or deep in thought, rarely uttering more than a few words at a time.
"Hi Elara... umm, could you help me put this book back on the shelf? I'm done with it," he said, handing me a novel he'd collected the week prior. He moved with a surprising speed and purpose.
"Sure, just hand it over! I'll take care of it, boss," I replied, eager to assist.
Despite his reticence, he was genuinely kind in the moments we shared. He once confided that his father was gravely ill in the hospital. He made frequent visits, but his mother was always by his father's side. The doctors were running a barrage of tests, searching for answers that seemed elusive. I offered him my utmost assurance that his father would pull through; I could sense he needed that hope.
On many occasions, he would drop both me and Luna off at our homes. It was clear he had a soft spot for her, but she often insisted she wasn't interested in any form of relationship right now.
Speaking of Luna, ever since she began rummaging through her parents' belongings, she had grown more distant—though not completely removed. It was as if she had unearthed a truth that was too heavy to carry. What do you do when your dearest friend suddenly retreats into silence, acting as though fear has taken residence in her heart? Perhaps I had indulged too much in dark crime documentaries; they left my mind racing.
"Elara! What are you thinking?" I was pulled from my reverie by my boss's voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I was just lost in thought. Do you need anything?" I mumbled, hastily refocusing.
"No, just that I'm heading out, so you'll need to close the store today," he replied, a hint of finality in his tone.
I nodded, watching as he drove away. My gaze drifted to the street where Luna worked, and my heart sank at the sight of a man making an unwelcome advance, grabbing her inappropriately. Fury ignited within me, and before I could fully grasp the moment, I rushed over and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed around us, and an audible gasp rippled through the bystanders.
"Are you okay, Luna?" I asked, a mixture of concern and adrenaline coursing through me.
"You didn't have to do that, Elara! I don't need your help!"
she snapped, her back turned to me, the tension palpable.
"Don't need my help!? Why would you ever think that? I'm your friend, and I'd do this over and over again! Now let's get out of here!"
I exclaimed, my protective instincts flaring.
"She's quitting!"
I shouted in defiance, directing my accusation at her boss as I ushered Luna away.
As we reached the sanctuary of my bookstore, Luna broke down in tears. "I've endured much worse, Elara I…
Shh it's okay it's okay I'll close and we'll go home okay?