A Feeling You Can't Shake

The bell rang throughout the academy grounds, students spilled out of the building, eager to return home. Aria, Luca, and Luna stood at the entrance, breathing in the cool evening air.

“Well, I’m off,” Aria said, stretching her arms over her head. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

“See you,” Luca replied casually, hands in his pockets.

Luna gave a small wave. “Yeah, see you.”

Aria frowned slightly. “Get some rest, Luna.”

Luna sighed but nodded. “I will.”

Aria turned and walked away, disappearing down the street. That left just Luca and Luna. They started walking at a steady pace, the evening breeze making the walk more refreshing.

“You good?” Luca asked, glancing at her. “You seem a little out of it.”

Luna shrugged. “Just the usual.”

Luca frowned. “Those people?”

She nodded but didn’t seem as drained as she had in the past. “They don’t really go away, but I’ve gotten used to them.”

Luca sighed. “That’s not exactly a good thing, you know.”

“I know,” she said lightly. “But it’s not as bad as before.”

They continued down the quiet street, the city lights flickering on as the sun set. Luna didn’t seem as tired as she had been in previous weeks, but Luca still worried. He had known her long enough to recognize when she was just putting on a front.

“You ever think about talking to someone about it?” he asked.

She gave him a sidelong glance. “I’m talking to you, aren’t I?”

Luca rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean.”

Luna chuckled. “I’ll be fine. I slept a bit better earlier.”

“That’s a first,” Luca muttered. “You should get more nights like that.”

Luna hummed in agreement but didn’t comment further.

The streetlights cast long shadows on the pavement as they walked. The distant hum of traffic, and the rustling of leaves in the soft breeze filled the air around them. The city had a strange calm state at this hour, caught between the bustling day and the stillness of the night.

Luca shoved his hands deeper into his pockets. “You really don’t think you should talk to someone? Maybe a professional?”

Luna scoffed. “Like a therapist? No thanks. I don’t need someone digging into my brain.”

“It’s not about digging. It’s about helping,” Luca countered. “It’s gotta be exhausting, Luna.”

She exhaled slowly, looking up at the sky for a moment before shaking her head. “It’s manageable.”

Luca didn’t buy that for a second, but he also knew Luna well enough to realize pushing too hard wouldn’t get him anywhere. She had to decide on her own when she wanted help. He just wished she’d make that choice sooner rather than later.

They passed by a small café, the scent of coffee drifting toward them. The warm, inviting light from inside made Luca glance at Luna. “Want to grab something warm to drink?”

Luna hesitated but then nodded. “Sure, why not.”

They stepped inside, the bell above the door chiming softly. The café was quiet, only a few other people sitting in the corner, lost in their own worlds. They walked up to the counter, where a server greeted them with a tired but friendly smile.

“What can I get for you?”

“Hot chocolate,” Luna said almost immediately.

Luca smirked. “No coffee?”

“Not in the mood,” she said, pulling out her wallet.

Luca waved her off and paid before she could protest. “My treat.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know,” he said, grabbing their drinks once they were ready and handing hers over. “Let’s sit.”

They found a small table near the window. Luna wrapped her hands around her cup, letting the warmth seep into her fingers. Luca took a sip of his coffee, watching her from over the rim of his cup.

“Do you ever remember it?” he asked after a moment.

Luna glanced at him. “What? The mysterious guy?"

He nodded.

She stared down at her drink, swirling it slightly before answering. “Sometimes. Not always clearly, but enough.”

Luca frowned. “And?”

Luna hesitated, then sighed. “They’re... Familiar, but not wrong.”

Luca leaned forward slightly. “Familiar how?”

Luna shook her head. “I don’t know. Like I’ve been there before, but I don’t recognize it.”

A cold wind from the outside wrapped her.. shaking her head, and she took a deep sip of her hot chocolate as if to chase away the cold feeling.

Luca exhaled sharply. “Damn.”

“Yeah,” Luna muttered.

They sat in silence for a while, the ambient noise of the café filling the space between them. Eventually, Luna sighed and leaned back in her seat. “But like I said, I’m used to it.”

“That doesn’t make it okay.”

She gave him a tired smile. “I know.”

They finished their drinks and stepped back outside.The air was cool, carrying the distant hum of the city, the occasional rustle of leaves, and the faint sound of traffic from the main road. Luca and Luna walked side by side, the familiar path to their condo building feeling unusually quiet tonight.

Just a few minutes away from their destination, Luca felt a strange sensation crawl up his spine. It was sudden.. like a cold whisper against his skin. He slowed his steps before coming to a complete stop, his eyes scanning the empty road behind them.

Luna noticed his hesitation and frowned. "What's wrong?" she asked, stopping beside him.

Luca remained silent for a moment, still staring into the distance as if trying to pinpoint something unseen. His shoulders tensed slightly, his fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket.

"Dude, you okay?" Luna asked again, her concern growing.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Luca shook his head slightly. "I… I'm fine," he muttered, though his voice stuttered just enough for Luna to notice. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Just felt something weird. Must be my mind playing tricks on me."

He rubbed his temple, a frown settling on his face. "Real weird."

Luna watched him carefully, her gaze lingering on his face as if trying to read his thoughts. "Okay…" she replied hesitantly, though her tone made it clear she wasn’t convinced.

A few seconds passed in silence. The air around them felt heavier now, as if the stillness of the night had taken on a new weight. Even the usual city sounds seemed distant, muted in a way that sent a small shiver down Luca’s spine. Then, as if deciding to break the tension himself, he suddenly grinned.

"You know what? Say, can I come over to your place for the night?" He turned to her, raising both hands in a mock gesture of surrender. "I won’t be a bother, promise."

Luna exhaled sharply through her nose, unimpressed. She didn’t answer immediately, simply turning and resuming her pace. Her silence was all the answer Luca needed.

A triumphant smile spread across his face as he quickly caught up to her, his usual playful energy returning. "I knew you were going to say yes," he said, skipping ahead slightly. "You owe me anyway for letting you crash at my place."

Luna rolled her eyes. "Not really," she said flatly, though the mild annoyance in her voice didn’t seem genuine.

Luca smirked. "Oh, come on. It’s only fair."

They continued down the street, their steps falling into an easy rhythm. The earlier unease that had gripped Luca had faded, though a small part of him couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something, or someone.. had been there, just out of sight.

As they neared their building, Luna finally spoke. "You sure you’re okay?"

Luca hesitated before answering. "Yeah… probably just tired."

"Or paranoid," Luna muttered.

Luca chuckled. "Maybe both. But hey, if something 'is' lurking in the dark, at least you have me to protect you."

Luna scoffed. "Oh, please. You’d be the first to run."

Luca gasped, placing a hand over his heart. "How dare you? I would totally fight for our survival."

Luna side-eyed him. "You’re lying."

"Okay, fine. I’d run 'after' making sure you’re running too."

Luna shook her head but couldn’t hide the small smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. "Idiot."

By the time they reached the front doors of their condo building, the eerie sensation from earlier had faded almost completely. Almost.

Luca glanced over his shoulder one last time before stepping inside, still feeling like something was watching them.

Once inside the building, the warmth of the lobby greeted them, but it did ease Luca’s mind. He followed Luna into the elevator, the doors sliding shut with a quiet hum. The mirrored walls reflected their tired expressions, though Luca couldn't help but glance at his own reflection a second longer than necessary.

Luna pressed the button to her floor and leaned against the wall, exhaling. "Long day."

Luca nodded, but his thoughts were still elsewhere. "You ever get the feeling someone’s watching you?"

Luna raised a brow at him. "You mean besides the creepy dude in the reflection you keep staring at?"

Luca scoffed but didn’t argue. He stuffed his hands into his hoodie pockets and sighed. "Forget it. Just a weird night."

The elevator dinged, and they stepped out, walking down the quiet hallway. Their footsteps echoed slightly, the silence settling between them. Luna reached her door first, unlocking it before glancing back at him. "You coming in or just standing there looking suspicious?"

Luca smirked and followed her inside, kicking off his shoes as he did. "Make yourself at home, Luca," he muttered to himself, mocking her nonexistent hospitality.

Luna rolled her eyes and tossed him a pillow from the couch. "Don’t make yourself too comfortable. You’re still an uninvited guest."

Luca caught it with ease, plopping down onto the couch. "Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that."

Luna didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she disappeared into her bedroom for a few minutes before returning with a blanket, tossing it onto him without warning.

Luca grinned. "See? You do care."

"I care about not having to listen to you complain all night about being cold," she shot back, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge before settling into the armchair across from him.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The apartment was silent except for the distant sounds of the city outside. Luca stretched out on the couch, staring at the ceiling. The unease from earlier had faded even more, but something still lingered in the back of his mind.

Luna noticed his expression and sighed. "Luca. If something’s bothering you, just say it."

He hesitated. "It’s just… that feeling earlier. It was strong. Like someone was actually there."

Luna frowned slightly. "You really think someone was watching us?"

"I don’t know," he admitted. "But it didn’t feel… normal."

Luna leaned back, staring at him for a moment before closing her eyes. "If you get haunted, don’t blame me."

Luca chuckled, though the joke didn’t completely settle his nerves. "Noted."

Eventually, Luna stood up. "I’m going to bed. Try not to get possessed while I sleep."

"I make no promises". Luca grinned.

Luna rolled her eyes but disappeared into her room, leaving Luca alone in the dimly lit apartment. He lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet hum of the city beyond the window.

And then, just as he was beginning to drift off, he heard it.

A soft, almost inaudible creak.

His eyes snapped open. He sat up slowly, his gaze darting toward the hallway. Nothing. Just shadows stretching across the floor.

Luca swallowed, his heart pounding just a little faster than before.

Maybe it really was just his imagination.

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