Chương 99: Miles

"So…This is what you used to look like?" Luna said, staring at the photo on my phone's screen. As I went to answer, Luna continued to speak,"You look like a total playboy!" She exclaimed.

"Pfft!" If I had water in my mouth, it'd be all over the bed right about now, "P-Playboy!? What're you talking about!?"

"I mean! Look at you! You were definitely a delinquent pre-awakening!" Luna nodded to herself. On the screen was a photo of me in 10th grade. It wasn't as high quality as the photos I take now, but, it was one of the better ones that I had; On it, a 16 year old boy with messy blonde hair, pierced ears, a cross necklace, and a black shirt was smiling sitting around a table with a board game on it.

The green pieces that signified my character had nearly reached the end, while the blue, red, and white pieces that my friends had were closer to the middle. Just barely in sight was a whiskey bottle whose label I couldn't read. I remember that game. It was me, Bryson, Cassian, and Colby. It was the weekend, a day after having to deal with an annoying exam. We had studied and (allegedly) cheated so we could get a good grade.

Thankfully, the teacher didn't catch any of us, so, the next day we were at Bryson's place and played a board game to relax. Cassian, that bumbling idiot, had the bright idea that after every turn, we'd spin a wheel and if it landed on 'Drink' we'd take a shot.

Colby was passed out on the floor just a little after that photo; Cassian was spewing incoherent sentences, talking about how he'd beat a bear in a fishing contest; and Bryson was laughing about everything—and literally everything, at one point he was laughing at the potted plant next to the table. I, on the other hand, was relatively fine. I've always had a good alcohol tolerance. Though, after twenty-something shots, I was definitely lightheaded at that point.

I smiled, reminiscing that moment captured by the photo. While doing so, I explained the lore to Luna.

"Wow, definitely a delinquent." Luna said after a moment with a shake of the head, she swiped to the next photo, "What about this one?" She asked. The next photo was a really old one. It was back when I was still in middle school. The same people as last time were in the photo: Me, Bryson, Cassian, and Colby. That day, we decided to go fishing. We had a little competition on who would catch the most fish—none of us catching any. Well, unless you counted Cassian's baby brim he somehow got to land.

I swear, his hook was bigger than the brim's mouth.

"You go fishing even though you're allergic to fish?" Luna asked.

"Mm." I nodded, "Papa used to take me when I was younger, we'd always catch and release. I guess I never escaped the hobby."

"Papa…" Luna mumbled under her breath before swiping to the next photo, "And this photo?"

"Ah, that's us in a fast food place after we skipped school for lunch."

"You really are a delinquent!?" Luna said aghast.

"Pfft, no!" I replied, "Lunch just always tasted terrible—it's like they're cooking cardboard! So…We just decided that instead of eating the school lunch, let's just head to the nearby fast food joint and pick up something eatable."

"You're justifying your delinquency!" I darted my eyes away and pursed my lips, secretly swiping to the next photo on the phone.

"Oh?" Luna's attention seem to have completely turned to the photo, "You look cute in this one." Luna secretly(?) sent herself the photo.

"That's when we went to Halloween horror nights during our senior year of high school." I said, "Bryson and I had a bet going on, whoever got a lower score in bowling would have their costume decided by the other…I lost because I got distracted and had to wear 'that' as part of the bet." In the photo was a blonde-haired boy with cat ears and a maid outfit with an annoyed expression. That thing was very stuffy and complicated to put on, plus, everyone else was busting their butt laughing at me.

"That's Bryson in the knight armor. Cassian is dressed like a fish—he did that just to mess with me. At times, he'd sway his little fish tail towards me provocatively asking if I had the urge to pounce on him. Colby's the vampire; here's a fun part: Colby kept small blood packets on him and would bite random objects around the place as he popped the packets. It was as if the objects had blood." I said, smiling to myself, "Still don't know how that guy could bite random things without worrying about hygiene."

"He'd…ask if you wanted to pounce on him?" Luna asked, locking onto that specific part of the story. Stolen story; please report.

"Yeah," I nodded, "When I was standing still or talking to someone, he'd sometimes walk back and forth across my vision and sway his little fish tail teasingly." I heard Luna gulp for some reason. Rather than finding it funny, she looked a little worried? I briefly wondered why but since I couldn't figure it out, I just swiped to the next photo. I spent what felt like hours explaining and reminiscing the past.

Since I didn't use to take a lot of photos, there wasn't many of them; however, what photos there were, were filled with memorable moments. It's part of the reason I could explain them all so in depth. Honestly, if I were to try and explain a random photo that I took after awakening, there's a high chance I'd be like 'Huh, wonder why I took this one. When we reached the end of the album, Luna hesitantly started to speak,"… You've taken a lot of photos with this group: Bryson, Cassian, and Colby."

"Yeah," I nodded, "Best friends growing up…" I replied, unknowingly, I showed a lonely smile.

"Do they know about your awakening?" Luna asked. I paused, the silence lingering for a moment as I chewed on my lips. Luna's hand grabbed mine. Eventually, I finally replied,"No," I said, "Told them I was moving to France and that I'd have to get a new phone while I'm there."

"…" Luna stared at me for a moment, "Stella…"

"I know…" I nodded solemnly.

"Then, what about your parents? Do they know you awakened?" Luna asked.

"Well…They're up there now so…"

"Ah…" Luna let out before she suddenly embraced me, "I'm so sorry…" She said, "How did…How did they pass?"

"Pfft!" I spat out, flabbergasted, "What!? Why're you killing of my parents!?"

"H-Huh!?" Luna let out, flustered, "Y-You just said that they were 'up there now'! As in, 'Heaven'!"

"No?! Up there, as in up north! They live in Tampa! Not heaven!"

"T-This is your fault!" Luna suddenly blamed me.

"ME!? I'm not the one who suddenly killed off my parents!" I pointed at myself, looking at Luna in absolutely disbelief"You used words to imply it just to confuse me!" Luna retorted.

"You're saying, I would joke around in a serious moment just to mess with you?"

"Exactly!"

"Luna…" I sighed, "No, my parents are not dead since I have to explicitly be clear about that." I said, side-eying Luna, "They live in Tampa now, I…uh…I also told them I was moving to France, so, they also don't know about my awakening." Luna stared at me for a few before eventually bowing her head,"Stella…" She sighed.

"I know…" I replied, "I know…At least, now I know…" I said, looking at the floor, "I should tell them…"

"Stella…" Luna embraced me, "I'm here for you. If you'll allow me…I'll be there right behind you for all of it…" I wrapped my arms around Luna,"Then…Please do…" I said, "When I tell them…Stand next to me and hold my hand."

"Okay. I will." Luna replied resolutely. After we separated I took a deep breath.

"Ah, right," I said, drawing Luna's attention, "Um…" Luna patiently waited for my words,"Well, um…" It was kind of sudden, but, I felt like this was a good time to bring it up, "Actually…My lease for this place is ending soon…" As soon as I said that, Luna's eyes widened.

"Your lease in ending?" Luna repeated, "Then…Are you going to renew or…"

"I…I was thinking about getting a new place." I said, "Bigger than this…A house…I need a lot of space for alchemy…and I want a garden…" Luna stayed silent for a moment before replying with seemingly calculated words,"A new house…" Luna repeated, "If you want space for everything—your potions, alchemy production equipment, garden—you're going to need quite a big house."

"Mm." I nodded.

"Probably even a three bedroom, two bathroom house." She said, "That's a very big place to live alone. Plus, it'll be a lot of money—which, I'm sure you can afford if you sell a lot of potions—but, it's still a lot for one person to take care of."

"Right." Internally, I was starting to smile. I let Luna continue.

"You also have to worry about security. A girl living alone in a big house is dangerous—even if emergency services are secure and effective, it'd be hard for them to appear in an instant."

"Mhm."

"And it'd get lonely being in a big house alone." She said, "It's way easier to notice the emptiness when the space is bigger. Here, in an apartment complex, you at least have neighbors right next door. But, in a house, they're way further away."

"That's true."

"And the amount of chores there'd be to take care of. You'd have to take care of everything alone; Cleaning would take forever, you'd have almost no time to actually do alchemy if you had to clean it all by yourself."

"Yeah."

"Also…Also, they say that the feng shui is worse when living alone." She's really grasping at straws here, but it's cute.

"I think I read about that somewhere." I replied.

"Uh-huh." Luna nodded rapidly, "And…Also…Me too…"

"You too?" I asked.

"My lease is also ending in a few months." She said.

"What? Really?"

"Yes," Luna nodded, "And um… I've also been searching for a house…" Her eyes darted to the right, a tell that she was lying, but, I didn't mention it. I decided to play into it,"So… We're both looking for a new place to live." I said, "But… Living alone would mess up the feng shui, so… If it's okay with you, why don't we live together?" I asked. Even though I was 99% certain that she'd say yes, I still felt nervous asking. Luna's eyes widened as she immediately nodded, grasping my hand,"Y-Yes!

I think that's a good idea!" I smiled, relief filling my heart,"Good." I said, "Then, we'd officially be roommates, for real." Luna smiled brightly,"I guess so." We decided to go over what we were both looking for in a house. And, as it turns out, the list is quite extensive. I was searching for: A garden, alchemy room, potion storage room, and testing area for potions. Luna was searching for: A gym, home-cinema, gaming area, and testing area for her skills and traits.

"Hm…" I started, "This might actually be a lot more than I thought."

"Yeah…" Luna agreed, "Should we remove some of our wants?"

"No!" I said, "I can't settled for a half-baked home! We're not removing anything!"

"So stubborn…" Luna mumbled with a smile.

"If I have to sell every potion I've made, I will!"

"Um…Everything except for the dynokali potions, right?" I didn't respond.

"…Right?"

"Pfft," I laughed. Luna did too.

"I'm gonna start running gates again to make money." Luna said.

"Mm…What grade potions do you use?" I asked.

"Oh? Do I have a personal little alchemist?"

"Obviously."

"O-Oh," Luna seemed a little taken back by how quickly I answered, "Well, um, I use D+ to C- grade potions since it's the most cost-effective for my level."

"Got it." I said, "I'll make them for you soon."

"O-Okay…" We continued discussing a few more things. Eventually, the sun had set and it was time for bed. While Luna and I were laying down, she suddenly started to speak,"By the way…" Luna started.

"Mm?" I turned to her.

"What was your old name? I'm…just curious. I heard your friend's names, but not yours." I smiled.

"Miles," I replied.

"Miles…" Luna rolled that word on her tongue.

"Miles Lyra Nyxotol, that's my full name."

"Miles Lyra Nyxotol…" Luna repeated, "Then, now is it…"

"Stella Lyra Nyxotol." I answered, "Unofficially."

"That's a good name…" Luna said, "…I like it. Nyxotol…" She mumbled under her breath. The quiet, comfortable darkness settled in. But neither of us were asleep yet. I scooted a little closer to Luna.

"Mouse," I said.

"Mm?" She turned to me.

"Mwah." I kissed her on the cheek, "Goodnight." Luna seemed to have freeze as I scooted back to my spot. After a moment, Luna took a deep breath and inched closer to me,"M-Mwah…" She kissed my cheek with a red face before scooting back to her spot and facing away, "G-Goodnight…" I smiled, my heart and face feeling warm. Staring at Luna's back, I had one thought. There's only one confession left to make. Closing my eyes, I peacefully drifted off to dreamland. Tomorrow's a full moon, isn't it?