24
Luna
Iremove the thirddress that I have tried on in the span of ten minutes and throw it onto the pile that I’ve made on my bed.I curse myself for having agreed to visit Cooper’s gallery; it’s not like I have fully forgiven him.I thought I moved on from us; I thought I put it all behind me.I truly believed it, but the moment I saw him yesterday, all the feelings unearthed themselves in my heart.What is it about Cooper?Being in his presence again has destroyed all the progress I made, and now he is growing in my veins.
I don’t have time to deal with any of this; the clock is ticking. I have to go on my mission to the ISS soon.But the unresolved feelings from my relationship with Cooper are brimming to the surface, barely held together inside by the thin surface tension of my heart.
I chant in my head that all this is just a friend being proud of her friend for achieving great things in life.I’m going to admire and appreciate his artwork, and I will be coming back home.
I finally decide on a long black dress with bows on the straps that hugs my body.I grab my bag and go down to the door when my phone beeps.
Infiniteawaits you ...Cooper’s text lights up my phone.
Getting on the next bus.I type quickly and send the message as I rush to the bus station.I am running a few minutes behind my scheduled time, but according to Maps, I will still make it five minutes before eight, which is what we decided on.
I get on the bus and keep an eye on the navigation as I get closer to the address in Wimbledon that Cooper texted me yesterday.After an excruciating thirty minutes on the bus, which I spent being anxious about tonight, I got off at the stop right next to the gallery.Cooper stands at the stop, wearing a black buttoned shirt tailored to fit him, paired with tan trousers.I scan him entirely; he looks both professional and casual.As soon as our eyes meet, his smile grows wider.
‘You look- You look breathtaking, Luna.’
My face flushes, and I’m aware that my cheeks are a deep red, more than the colour of the blush I put on.I immediately look at the floor.It is overwhelming how Cooper is looking at me.The same way he used to look at me, like he still feels—.No, he doesn’t feel anything.Don’t forget that he left easily.You came to support him, and that’s it.The logical part of my brain is quick to chastise me.‘Thanks.You don’t look so bad yourself.’I wince immediately because of how flirty my compliment sounds.
‘Should we go inside?’I add quickly, hoping that Cooper wouldn’t notice my embarrassment.
‘Of course, this way.’Cooper walks towards the entrance ofInfiniteand opens the door.
I expect to be exposed to the large crowd that would be part of the anniversary party, but I can’t find anyone within the expanse of my eyesight.The corridors are empty, the lights are dim, and the paintings are hanging on the wall – devoid of any onlookers.I step into the gallery and look around once more to confirm that the party isn’t happening further into the place.I turn around to face Cooper.‘I thought there was a party going on?’
‘There was.But I wrapped it up early so that you can have an undisturbed private viewing of the gallery,’ he says, a bashful smile growing on his face.
It is thoughtful of him, but I grow weary of the time we would be spending alone with each other.I mourn the presence of strangers who I hoped would have made it easier for me to be around Cooper without being pulled towards him like a magnet.I walk through the gallery and let out an involuntary gasp as my eyes jump from one painting to another.All the colours, intentional brush strokes and hidden stories behind each painting bring a tear to my eyes.‘I knew you were talented, but this is something else, Cooper.’
‘Well, art was my only companion growing up, so I’d say we formed a connection.’His words come out smoothly, like it was normal to him to be that way.
A split-second image of Cooper's childhood flashes before my eyes – five-year-old Cooper eating alone in school, painting in his room when at home and falling asleep to music because no one showed up for him.Anger courses through my veins, thinking of everything that Cooper faced.He doesn’t deserve this.No child deserves to be abandoned by the person who brought them into the world.I shrug off the feeling.Something much more than anger needs to be expressed at this moment.Pride.
‘I’m proud of you.For putting yourself out there.For being brave enough to take the leap and start a gallery.I’m glad to be one among the millions admiring your art.’
