Chapter 57: An Uninvited Guest Who Is Dangerous for Noah.
Noah lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling as the room remained silent.
Two days had passed since he agreed to start a secret relationship with Luna behind Yume’s back, and ever since then, he hadn’t stopped thinking about the decision.
Noah knew he hadn’t accepted only out of fear that Luna would lose control of her powers; he also genuinely liked being with her.
He enjoyed their conversations, their messages, and the direct way Luna acted whenever she wanted something.
Even so, that didn’t make the situation right, because Yume was still his girlfriend and trusted him.
Luna had promised she would try to convince her, but she didn’t have any concrete plan.
Noah closed his eyes.
’This could end really badly.’
He turned onto his side, and on the table was his phone.
There were no new messages from Yume or Luna.
That should have calmed him, but it didn’t.
’What was Luna thinking by doing all of this?’
Noah sighed.
"What was she thinking when she kissed me, confessed her feelings, and then proposed a secret relationship?"
"I don’t know, but I didn’t mean to make you feel bad."
Noah opened his eyes and sat up abruptly.
"What?!"
Luna was sitting in the chair next to his desk with her legs crossed and her hands resting on her lap.
She wore dark casual clothes and watched Noah with a calm expression.
Noah nearly fell off the bed as he tried to back away.
"Luna!"
"Hi."
"What are you doing in my room?!"
"I wanted to see you."
Noah glanced at the door, which was closed, and then at the window, which was also closed.
"You didn’t answer my question!"
"Yes, I did."
"No! I asked what you’re doing here."
"And I told you I wanted to see you."
Noah took a deep breath.
"Luna, how did you get in?"
"Through the door."
"The front door?"
"Yes."
"And no one saw you?"
"No."
Noah felt immediate concern, since his mother Emma was home along with Ava, who must have been somewhere on the lower floor, and Sarah still hadn’t returned from work, but that didn’t make the situation any less dangerous.
"How did you manage to get past without anyone seeing you?"
Luna answered normally.
"I used that ability to turn invisible."
Noah stayed silent as he recalled that ability.
When Luna became a magical girl, she had discovered almost immediately that she could cover herself with a barrier that hid her presence and prevented other people from perceiving her.
At first, Noah had thought it was useful for infiltrations and rescues, but he hadn’t considered that Luna could use it to enter his house and his room without notice.
Noah looked at her.
"Have you used that ability before to come in here?"
"No..."
The answer was very hesitant, which made Noah narrow his eyes.
"Luna."
She held his gaze.
"I didn’t come in before."
"Did you watch me from outside?"
Luna remained silent and Noah felt a chill.
"Luna!"
"Just once."
"What?!"
"But it wasn’t when you were changing."
"That’s not the problem!"
Luna tilted her head slightly.
"Then I don’t understand what the problem is."
Noah covered his face with one hand.
’This ability is more dangerous than I thought.’
Luna could turn invisible, hide her magical energy, create barriers to avoid being heard, and now she also knew where his room was.
Noah lowered his hand.
"Promise me you won’t come in again without letting me know."
Luna didn’t answer.
"Luna."
"I’ll try."
"That’s not a promise."
"I didn’t know it would bother you."
"How could it not bother me?!"
"We’re lovers."
"We’re secret lovers!"
"That makes it even more necessary to avoid being seen."
Noah opened his mouth but couldn’t find an immediate response.
Luna had a strange logic, but within her own way of thinking, it seemed to make sense.
Noah didn’t want to keep arguing, and he also noticed that Luna was starting to look away, perhaps feeling rejected.
Noah tried to change his tone.
"Okay, just let me know next time, alright?"
Luna looked at him again.
"Alright."
Noah sat on the edge of the bed.
"So, why did you want to see me?"
Luna remained silent for a few seconds.
"I wanted to know if you’re free tomorrow."
Noah thought about his schedule. Tomorrow they wouldn’t have classes because of an administrative day at the high school, Yume had mentioned she would help her mother during the morning, and Ava probably had normal classes.
Noah had no plans.
"Yeah, I’m free."
Luna’s expression changed, just a little.
Her eyes opened a bit wider and her shoulders relaxed.
"Good."
Noah observed her.
"Why are you asking?"
Luna stood up from the chair and walked until she stood in front of him.
"I want to invite you on a date."
Noah froze.
"A date?"
"Yes."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Luna seemed calm, but she was squeezing the fingers of one hand with the other, and Noah understood that she was nervous. This was the first time she had formally invited him out since they started their relationship.
Noah was about to respond when he heard footsteps in the hallway and a voice came from the other side of the door.
"Noah."
It was his mother, Emma.
Noah went rigid and Luna looked toward the door.
Emma came closer.
"What do you want to eat tonight?"
Noah looked at Luna, then pointed at the window and spoke in a low voice.
"Go."
Luna didn’t move.
"What?"
"Leave through the window or use your ability, do whatever, but you have to go."
Luna shook her head.
"You haven’t answered me."
Noah opened his eyes wide.
"Answer what?"
"My invitation."
Emma spoke again from outside.
"Noah, did you hear me?"
"Yes!"
Noah tried to keep his voice steady as Luna moved closer.
"Tomorrow, a date."
Noah looked at the door.
"I’ll answer you later."
"No."
"Luna, my mother is outside."
"I know."
"Then hurry."
"I won’t leave without an answer."
Noah couldn’t believe it.
"Luna, this isn’t the time to be stubborn."
"I’m not being stubborn."
"Yes, you are."
"I just want an answer."
Emma knocked on the door.
"Noah, are you talking to someone?"
Noah felt his heart racing.
"No."
Luna hugged him and Noah went still.
She wrapped both arms around his torso and rested her head against his chest.
Noah tried to pull her away, but Luna wouldn’t allow it.
"What are you doing?!"
He whispered.
"Waiting."
"Let go of me!"
"No."
Emma knocked again.
"Your voice sounds weird."
"I’m fine!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, really fine."
There was a brief silence and Noah thought Emma would leave, but then he heard the doorknob turning.
Noah’s nightmare had only just begun.