Chapter 2

Yolanda made her way over in a Chanel suit, her hand deliberately resting on her still-flat belly.

"Honey, what are you doing out here? I've been waiting for you in the auditorium forever. My back is killing me." She wrapped her arm around Nathan's and pouted, clearly fishing for a kiss.

Nathan glanced at me, a hint of embarrassment flickering across his face when he saw my blank look. Still, he quickly kissed her pouty lips.

The people nearby hissed, sneaking glances at me.

I watched calmly, unfazed.

Who would've thought that Yolanda, the shy little thing who used to cling to me, would become so confident now?

Yolanda caught everyone staring and turned to me with a dramatic gasp.

She said, "Wait, is that you, Luna? It's been ages. You finally got out of prison. I really missed you!"

The once-friendly alumni all subtly edged away from me.

She came over and tugged at my sleeve, her eyes looking moist.

She said, "Luna, if I'd known you were the one delivering food, I would've ordered a bunch more, just so you could pocket a few extra bucks.

"The bags would be a bit heavy, but hey, I heard prison is all about hard labor. You must be pretty strong now, huh?

"Oh, and, your delivery vest is all faded and coming apart at the seams. My housekeeper has some brand new ones at home. I'll grab one for you next time."

"Yolanda, that's enough," Nathan said, nervously pulling her back and refusing to meet my eyes.

I just chuckled, not bothered at all.

I was only doing this delivery gig to get some inspiration for my music, but with just a few words, Yolanda made it sound like I was out here begging for spare change.

I never knew she could talk like that before.

The first time I met Yolanda was back in my junior year of college.

My brother, Gavin, had saved her from traffickers, but by then, she was so traumatized that she couldn't even speak.

Because those traffickers wanted revenge, Gavin was killed just one day before he turned thirty.

That day, Yolanda bowed to me again and again, desperately gesturing that she wanted to devote her life to repaying me.

My heart went out to her, so I took her in and treated her like my own little sister.

I taught her to speak, one word at a time, worried the other kids would pick on her for her stutter. I even got a job as a teaching assistant at her school, just so I could be there for her those three years.

Whenever I practiced piano, she'd always watch with longing in her eyes, making little gestures to show she wanted to learn, too.

I'd guide her hands, teaching her how to play and sing, and I'd rope Nathan in to play backup for us.

Whenever Nathan was around, she'd cling to me, totally silent, never daring to say a word.

Nathan used to grumble to me behind her back, saying she was way too shy and always ruining our couple time.

So I never could've imagined that one day, I'd walk into the music room and catch them completely naked, wrapped around each other, sprawled across the piano Gavin bought me.

And I definitely never thought she'd use the flawless words I taught her to pour out endless, passionate love confessions to my husband.

Back to now, Yolanda said, "Luna, wanna check out the school? You can have my invitation. Nathan can get me in anyway. This is a VIP invite straight from the principal, and there are only ten of them."

Yolanda beamed as she spoke.

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up at the banner hanging above the school gate.

The year I got into the music department, Gavin grinned from ear to ear and said, "When the school's centennial rolls around, we'll go together. I want all the alumni to be jealous that I have such an amazing sister."

My eyes grew misty, and I just couldn't bring myself to say no.

I ran my fingers over the watch Gavin used to wear, and then walked inside.

Gavin, we were back together.

Yolanda clung to Nathan's hand, walking right next to me and flashing a taunting grin. "Luna, I'm pregnant, so I can't keep up. Slow down for me, will you?

"Nathan totally spoils me at home. He always carries me around. I swear, I've almost forgotten how to walk by myself."

She threw her arms around Nathan's neck, putting on a breathless act. "Honey, I can't go any further. Carry me up, will you?"

Nathan snuck a glance at me, coughed awkwardly, and said, "Yolanda, we're out here in public. It doesn't look good."

Yolanda fluttered her lashes and shot him a cheeky grin. "Oh, relax. Luna's basically family. It's fine."

She was such a loudmouth.

I couldn't help but stop, counting off on my fingers and nodding along sarcastically.

I said, "Yeah, the music room, the kitchen, the living room, and so on. You two have no shame, and it's not like this is your first time.

"Do whatever you want, it's not like you ever bother with the bed anyway. Oh, and if you need me to, I can always do what I used to, snap some pics and document it all."

Yolanda's face went pale, her fake smile barely hanging on. Guess I must've hit a nerve with that one.

Nathan frowned, opened his mouth to say something, and then just closed it again.

Finally, everything quieted down.

I turned away, scanning the campus I hadn't set foot in for a decade.

When we got to the auditorium, Yolanda flashed me a phony smile.

She said, "Luna, tickets for the music department alumni show are super exclusive. You wanna come see it for yourself?"

I listened to the broken notes of the piano drifting out from the auditorium, my brow furrowing.

I was gonna refuse, but then I changed my mind.

"Sure," I replied.