Chapter 33 Sadness
How did you just blurt that out on impulse?
Luna tore open a straw, fished out the boba, stabbed it in, and sucked down two big gulps.
The icy boba slid down her throat, and her brain cleared right up.
Mila across the table stared, dumbfounded. She bit her straw and asked slowly, "Luna, are you possessed?"
"I think I am possessed." Luna shook her head and took another huge sip.
Mila: "..."
She lowered her head, ate a couple bites of rice. "Need someone to exorcise you?"
Luna blinked. "You actually know people like that?"
"I don't, but my dad does." Mila swallowed her rice. "My dad's really into this stuff. He goes to pray before every investment, and he usually makes a killing."
Luna was quiet for a moment. "That's pretty impressive."
She didn't know much about business, but she'd heard Mila's dad's nickname at various galas.
The Lucky Fish of Investing. Whatever he put money into, he basically always made a killing.
Mila chuckled. "So, do you need it?"
Luna waved her hands fast. "Not yet."
She thought for a second. "Do you have connections in private investigation?"
"I don't, but my dad does."
"Can you connect me?"
Mila didn't ask questions. She just nodded. "Sure. I'll talk to my dad tonight when I get home."
Luna smiled. "Thanks."
...
Friday afternoon, last period. School was almost out, and with fall break starting tomorrow, a full week off, the vibe in Class 2-13 was electric.
Almost no one was actually paying attention.
Leo sat in the back row, his desk mate Ryder. This corner was the classic slacker zone. Girls were either doing their makeup with compact mirrors, secretly painting their nails, or sneaking reads of romance novels.
Guys were either sneaking their phones or checking out their crushes.
Leo slept through the entire class, face down on his desk, completely shameless about it. One arm draped behind his neck.
When the bell rang, the teacher grabbed their textbook and lesson plan and hurried out.
Most of the class grabbed their backpacks and got ready to leave. Chloe tossed her hair, stood up from her seat. "Hold on, everyone. Don't leave yet."
She was the class arts rep. Plus, she was an influencer with 300K followers. Generous with her money, well-liked. She had real pull in the class.
Everyone sat back down without a word.
"So, the day after tomorrow, my boyfriend is treating the whole class to lunch at the Grand Star. Noon sharp. If you want to come, just give my name at the door." Chloe smiled sweetly.
The room erupted.
"The Grand Star? That place from the viral videos?"
"Damn, Clo, your boyfriend is so generous."
"I heard even a single dish is four figures. Fifty kids in a class. How much is that gonna cost?"
Chloe lifted her chin, smug. "My boyfriend said he's covering everything. I don't have to worry about a thing."
"Wow, so manly."
"Clo, you're so lucky."
Her friends chimed in with compliments.
Ryder shot Leo a sympathetic look.
Leo had just woken up, eyelids heavy. He glanced at Ryder. "What are you looking at?"
Ryder said sincerely: "Leo, if you need to cry, just cry. I won't laugh. My shoulder's here for you."
"..." Leo batted him off coldly. "Thanks. Not needed."
He grabbed his empty backpack, tossed his phone in, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out the back door.
Chloe noticed him leaving. She naturally assumed he was jealous, hurting inside. The corner of her mouth curved up.
She thought viciously: Leo, when you walked out of that pool hall with your sister and left me behind, you should've known this day would come.
Leo grabbed a cab straight home.
When he got home, Luna had only just arrived herself. She was sitting on the couch in the living room, drinking yogurt.
Leo changed his shoes and headed for the stairs.
Luna glanced at him. "What's wrong with you?"
Leo: "Tired."
Whenever he was this tired or drained or annoyed, it meant something was really bothering him.
Luna drew out an "Ohhh," slowly finished her yogurt, then went upstairs.
Her and Leo's rooms were both on the second floor, with an empty room between them.
She stopped at Leo's door and knocked.
Dead silence inside. No one came to the door.
So Luna knocked again.
About thirty seconds later, Leo opened the door slowly, looking annoyed. "What do you... why is it you?"
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Surprised?"
Leo dodged the question. "You need something?"
"Yeah." Luna nodded.
Leo pulled the door open wider, crossed his arms, leaned against the doorframe. "What?"
Luna crunched on an apple. "Checking on you."
Leo froze for a second. "Just for that?"
"Isn't that a big deal?" Luna lifted her brow.
Leo shifted aside a little.
Luna hadn't been in his room in a long time.
Leo's room was about the same size as Luna's. But Luna's was filled with stuff, and Leo's was almost empty.
He flopped onto the couch, grabbed his phone, and went back to his game.
Luna patted his shoulder, all seriousness. "Leo, if something's going on, talk to your sister. I can be your spirit guide."
Leo kept his head down, gaming. "Nothing. Just a little down."
"Down?" Luna was surprised. "You're not sad?"
Leo was quiet for a moment. He was playing a parkour game, fingers flying across the screen. "I thought I'd be really sad. But it's not as bad as I thought it'd be."
Luna thought about it. "How did you two meet?"
Leo: "Just a Friday afternoon..."
Leo and Chloe's meet-cute, in short: Leo had been acting like hot stuff at school, rubbed some people the wrong way, and got cornered in an alley for a beating.
Leo could hold his own in a fight, but they had numbers. However good he was, he couldn't take that many at once.
Long story short, both sides came out bruised.
After those guys slunk off, Leo sat on the ground. His black tee was covered in blood and dirt. A gash on his arm was bleeding freely.
He rested for a bit. He was about to find a clinic to get patched up when Chloe walked by with her backpack.
She was wearing a white maxi dress that day, long hair falling behind her. Her eyes looked gentle, soft.
The girl crouched beside Leo, cautious. "Hey, are you okay?"
Leo had been in a terrible mood. He spoke coldly. "Get away from me."
Chloe bit her lip. She wasn't scared off. She asked again, seriously: "Do you need help?"
Leo's dark eyes stared at her. Two seconds later, he turned his head away. "No."