The Unwanted Luna

Chapter 2

GRACE

It has been two weeks since we slept together, and I haven’t seen even a strand of his hair in the coffee shop. My stomach has been growing like crazy, and it is a lot bigger for a two-week fetus. I tested myself last week because of this, and it gave me two red lines. I am pregnant. I thought I just ate too much, but nope — I even felt it move at one point and felt like tiny bubbles.

I just thank God that I have no morning sickness whatsoever, and my sense of smell is not out of whack. Otherwise, I am so screwed. I am still working at the cafe, and I only have two weeks left for school. I am only taking a couple of subjects that I’ve left behind since I can’t take on the entire load. The usual four-year degree became five for me.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter as long as I have my degree in the end. What does it matter if I finish it in four or five years? Graduation is not until June, so I can still work my ass off for a couple of months and save up.

Erika and I are working tonight at the cafe, and we close at midnight. There are only a couple of people now, and they will be leaving soon. It is only then that we can clean up the place and head home. My apartment is just a walking distance, and there’s a shortcut if I use the alley. I don’t like taking that route, but I am so tired tonight that I just want to sleep in my bed. I don’t even have the energy to change my clothes.

“Gracie, I will start cleaning up here so we can get a head start.”

“Yes, go ahead. I will mop the floor as soon as the last customer leaves.”

These days, I get tired quickly. It must be the pregnancy sucking my energy. I took a sip from my bottled water and waited until the girl left with her boyfriend. I went around the counter and locked the door. It’s time to clean up.

I took the cleaning supplies with me and started wiping the tables and chairs. There are about ten tables with four chairs each. Then I started sweeping.

I can’t wait to work in an office and wear corporate attire. Working in this cafe for the last five years has been a blessing but also a pain. Long shifts with minimum wage, but it is better than nothing.

“I will mop the floor. Take it easy on my godchild, will you?” Erika smiled and took the mop from the side. “Just take a seat. We are almost done.”

“Thank you.” I returned her sweet smile. She is truly like a sister I’ve never had.

You know, when she found out I was pregnant, she didn’t even ask why my stomach was growing so fast or why I got pregnant that quickly. I love her for that because I honestly don’t know what to tell her. All I know is that I am pregnant, and I don’t have medical insurance. The baby is not due until about eight months. I mean, it’s only been two weeks.

There are days I wish I had taken the money that was being offered to me when my mother died. The man came from a wealthy family, and the case was dismissed. He didn’t even spend time in jail. They talked about community service, but other than that, I didn’t pay attention anymore. There’s no use. At least they paid for my mother’s funeral and laid her to rest at Ashen Oak Memorial Gardens. It’s pretty decent and not too far from here.

My thoughts were cut when I heard Erika’s voice. “Alright, we are done here. Let’s get you home. You have school tomorrow, right?” she asked me.

“Yeah, but not until after lunch. I can sleep in.”

“Okay. That’s good. It would be best if you had plenty of rest. I will walk you home and take the bus from there.” She was so lovely to offer, but it’s late. It will only delay her even further if she walks me home.

“I’m okay. I will just take the shortcut. You go home, and I will see you after school tomorrow. Come by for dinner. I’m cooking.”

“Stir-fry?” She looked excited. Erika loves free food.

“Yes. Oriental style chicken.”

“Yummy! I won’t be late.”

We ended up laughing after she said that because I knew she would be late for sure. Erika never comes on time.

“Okay, let’s go home and hit the sack.”

We used the back door, and as I went right, she went left to the bus stop. From the coffee shop, it takes less than fifteen minutes to get home if I use the shortcut, and about twenty minutes if I don’t. So, of course, I took the shortcut.

Nothing happened the last time I was here. But tonight, it felt creepy. I felt as if someone was watching me, but I glanced around, and I didn’t see a soul. I regret using this route now. This fear creeping up on me is not worth the five minutes I saved up by taking this alley.

And then suddenly, someone cold grabbed me just before I turned the corner. I tried to scream, but nothing came out of my mouth. With very little light from the post, I saw the man who grabbed my arm, and there’s something about him that’s wrong.

First of all, his hand was icy and pale. I am scared to look at him. Watching Interview with the Vampire does not seem like a good idea now. Didn’t they say vampires are cold?

“You are beautiful. I have been looking for you for a long time, amore. I didn’t think someone like you would be the one who would bring me to life. A human.”