Something that I could do that would help people.
It was a small black and yellow pamphlet that spoke about a program with the FDNY, New York City Fire Department. Everything I needed to do could be done online. I could finish treatment and go through the courses at the same time. New York was where I wanted to end up, anyway, so I felt like it was just another piece of fate.
Part of my destiny.
I showed Mr. Hyde the packet the next day, and he helped me set up the courses I needed to take. It didn’t take long, and by the time I was awarded my firefighter certificate, I only had weeks left in treatment, and Mr. Hyde was able to land me a job at the FDNY.
I start next week. I'm fucking nervous. I've never had an actual job. Going from high school to being a rock star, I know nothing in between.
But I have to live my life. I have to be the best man I can be because the day when Luna comes back to me, I need to be ready.
Notifshe comes back to me.When. Because I know she will. I'll be ready. I'll be waiting.
I can't fucking wait.
The taxi pulls up to the airport, and I take my small bag and throw the driver some cash. Looking at the busy, chaotic Tampa airport in front of me, I take a breath, releasing all the stresses and the worry I’ve been hanging on to.
I’m going to keep living the life Luna wanted us to have. I can feel her soul out there, out in the world. Missing mine. I know she aches as badly as I do. We’ve always been connected, maybe even before we met.
There’s no doubt in my mind we’ll meet again. I’ll be able to look into her gray eyes and touch her black, silky hair.
And when that time comes, I’m never letting her go again.
It’s four hours later when the second taxi drops me off outside my new apartment. New to me, I suppose. This thing is old, built out of stones with so much historic architecture curving the tops and sides of the bricks.
New York is… New York.
Loud. Chaotic. So many different smells. So much traffic.
My blood burns through my veins to think of Luna walking these streets, her ballet slippers slung over her shoulder. She’d walk down the sidewalk, people bumping into her left and right, cussing her out for being in their way.
She wouldn’t even spare them a glance. She’s always in her own world. A dance playing in her head. Some note or tune vibrating from her lips as she hums along to the soundless song.
Come home to me, Luna.
I unzip the side pocket of my bag, pulling out my new key. The condo unit comes newly furnished, something my parents and Mr. Hyde coordinated for me. I head inside the high-rise unit, and people are bustling in and out, not sparing a glance at the next person as they bark into their cell phones.
I walk through the entryway, my shoes clapping against the tiled floor as I walk to the elevator. It's about twenty floors high, each unit having their own balcony. I press the circular button with the up arrow, watching as it glows yellow. The elevator starts humming, and I look around as it descends to the main floor.
Tiny little gray slotted mailboxes line an entire wall. The ceilings are tall, old. It smells a little like mildew in here, but not terribly so. Old building smell, I suppose. Everything is expensive in New York, mostly since this building is in the heart of the city.
This place doesn’t seem unkempt, just old.
The elevator dings, and the door rolls open. I step inside, and press floor eleven, watching as the doors glide shut behind me.
Taking a deep breath, I feel as the elevator lurches, bringing me to my new home.
I chose a one-bedroom unit, something small. I don't need anything huge, or luxurious. I just need some place that has a bed and a kitchen.
The guys all ended up in different locations after we split. Lonnie stayed in California. He took over our apartment and started working at the record label. He loves it there. Flynn and Clyde went home to Wisconsin. I spoke to Flynn not too long ago, and things are going good back home. He says it looks just as we left it all those years ago. Flynn is working with his dad right now, trying to figure out what he wants to do next.
Clyde, on the other hand, did start some classes at a community college. I hope it works out for him.
The elevator dings again, and when the doors slide open, I step out onto the dark carpet, looking in both directions to see where I'm supposed to go. I decide to head left, watching as the units go up. Once I get to unit 124, I stop.
This is it.
Sticking my key in the lock, I turn it, listening as it clicks. Turning the knob, I open the door, walking into a brightly lit condo. Neutral tones and a balcony that looks out onto the entire city. Skyscraper after skyscraper line my window. The glass is floor to ceiling, bringing in sunlight and brightening the entire apartment. The ceilings are tall in the apartment, too. Crown moldings of a dark wood line the ceiling, and the dark wooden floors are worn but sturdy. A few scratches here and there, but still glossy and shiny.