I sighed, staring at my homework. Of course my AP Psychology teacher had to give my class a huge project that was due in two days. I leaned back in the uncomfortable chair at the coffee shop. A huge yawn escaped my lips, and I quickly covered my mouth.

I wanted to go back to my dorm, but I needed to work on my project. If I went back now, I would just crawl into bed. I put my head down on the table and sighed loudly. I needed to focus on this project. A war was going on in my mind: on one side, I knew I needed to do the project; on the other, I just wanted to go to bed and get some rest. The coffee shop wouldn't be open for much longer anyway.

I lifted my head. My eyes opened slowly, and my heart just about stopped. A guy was standing in front of me, his eyebrows scrunched up in worry. "Luna? Are you okay?"

"Drake?" I asked, placing a hand on my heart. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to get some coffee," Drake said, sitting down at the table. "But then you distracted me. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said, chuckling slightly. "I was having a war in my head about whether or not I should work on this project."

"That's it?"

"Yup."

"I thought it was something worse," Drake said, sighing. "My mind always jumps to the worst possible scenario."

"You choose for me," I said. "Should I do the project or quit?"

"When is it due?" Drake asked, grabbing my computer and turning it to face him. I watched his face as he stared at the screen. His eyebrows were scrunched together, and he was biting his lower lip. My heart started hammering at the sight of him, and I wished it would stop. "Hm. You have a lot of information already. Do you have the plans for the video?"

"Yeah," I said. I cursed silently when I heard my voice shake. Hopefully Drake didn't hear it. "I feel like I should work on it, but I'm exhausted."

"I think you have enough information," Drake said, handing me my computer back. "Why don't you just quit working on it for now? We could go do something if you want since we've never really hung out before."

"I don't know," I said, shrugging. I really wanted to hang out with him. "It's getting pretty late."

"Yeah," Drake said quickly. "It is getting pretty late. I won't bother you then." Drake got up with a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. His body language was shut off, and he was slouched down. "I'll see you later, Luna."

"Wait!" I said, standing up. My chair almost toppled backward, but I caught it before it fell over. "I changed my mind."

"About what? The project?" Drake asked, frowning. "Because I can still leave if you need to work on that."

"No," I said quickly. I grabbed his arm before he could leave. "No. I want to go do something with you. I mean, if you still want to."

"Oh," Drake said, his eyes widening. His eyes flickered down to my hands, so I let go of him. "Yeah, I still want to go out."

"Okay. Good." I smiled and started shoving my AP Psychology things into my backpack. I slung the backpack over my shoulders and grabbed my coffee. "Would you like anything to drink before we go?"

"Actually, yeah," Drake said, grinning slightly. "That's why I originally came here."

"Nah. You were just stalking me," I joked, smiling. Drake let out a short laugh, and I melted on the inside a little. He walked up to the front desk, and I watched him as he spoke to the barista. His shoulders seemed a little tense but otherwise he looked okay. It was probably his facade, though. I knew from studying psychology that people don't like to show their depression. They'd rather put up a happy facade than to let people help them. I wanted him to be truly happy and to let me in.

Drake glanced behind him, but I didn't look away. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "You're fine."

"Well, why are you watching me?" Drake asked, frowning. I knew what I wanted to say, but I didn't. The barista appeared behind Drake, so I pointed. He gave me one last look before turning away and paying for his drink. "Have a good day, ma'am."

"Thanks! I hope you have a great night with your girlfriend," the barista said politely.

"Oh," I said, gasping. My face heated up. "We're not together. I mean, we are friends but not . . . romantically involved."

"I'm sorry," the barista said, frowning. "I just thought . . ."

"No, you're fine," Drake said, smiling. He leaned forward and whispered something to the girl.

"Drake!" I said quickly. "What are you saying?"

"It's nothing," he said, standing back up. "Let's go now, Luna."

He grabbed my arm and tugged me out the door. "Drake," I said, slowing to a stop. "What did you tell that lady?"

"Just that you are awesome and I want you in my life," Drake said, turning to face me. He took a sip of his coffee and shrugged. The moon light glinted off his shiny black hair and lit up his pale face. There was a deep sadness in his eyes, but there was something else. Something like content. "That's all. You don't have to worry about it, either."

"Okay," I said, nodding. "Okay." We started walking again, me falling into step beside him. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay."

"You seem a little better," I said, glancing up at his face. I laughed slightly and said, "Maybe it's me."

"I agree."

"I was joking."

"I'm not." Drake was silent for a second as we walked past a bench. "Do you want to sit down here?"

"Sure." I sat down next to the boy. I set my backpack on the ground and leaned back, sighing.

"How are you doing after your encounter with your ex?" Drake asked quietly. "It must have sucked big time seeing him again."

I pulled my jacket tighter around me. "A part of me was happy to see him. He was the best guy in the beginning of our relationship. I promise. I wouldn't go for a guy who I know is a douche. But then as our relationship progressed, his anger started showing. Now, I can see the red flags but back then I just thought he was a good guy that had some anger issues. Then the anger issues became worse. He punched a hole through my wall back home. I totally lied to my parents about it and let it slide because I thought I loved him."

"You said he hit you once, didn't you?"

"Yeah. He punched me in the face and nearly broke my jaw." Drake breathed heavily out his nose but didn't say anything. "I immediately broke up with Wes right then and there. I told my parents and siblings. My parents hid me away before I came back out here. That was a year ago so I don't understand why he came back now."

"He said he wanted you back," Drake said softly. "If I didn't show up, what would you have said?"

"I would've said no," I replied. "I know now that he wasn't a good guy. I wouldn't put my life in harm's way. Not again."

"You want to know the only thing that was going through my mind then?" I nodded, looking over at him. He was staring down at his hands in his lap. "I knew that I had to get to you. Nothing could stop me, not even my own depression. You were in trouble, and I had to get to you."

"And I want to thank you for that," I said, leaning into him. "You didn't have to come, but you did."

"I want to tell you about my brother and cousin and about their deaths," Drake said quietly, "but I can't right now. I promise I'll tell you. I just need time."

"I know I've said this many times but I'll say it again. I don't want to push you to say or do anything you don't want to do." I grabbed his hand, and he looked over at me, his eyes deep pools of pain. "I want you to take all the time you need. I just need you to know that I'm here for you. This may be our second time face to face but I feel like I've known you for a long time. I care about you so much, Drake."

"I care about you too," he said, staring down at our hands. He laced our fingers together slowly, still staring down at their hands. "I think I'm falling for you, Luna." My breath caught in my throat at his words. "I know we haven't seen each other face to face for long but texting you almost everyday had its effects. You were someone who was there for me when no one else was. And this is the first time I've felt something in a long time."

"Drake," I whispered. He finally looked at me, and I said, "I . . . think I'm falling for you, too." Drake let out a breath, but I said, "I don't want to pursue anything yet, though."

"Why?" Drake asked, frowning.

"I want you to focus on your mental health," I said, placing my free hand on his shoulder. "I don't want you to juggle a romantic relationship with your mental health. And with my ex showing up . . . I need time for that wound to heal. It has nothing to do with me disliking you or anything. I just want you - and me, personally - to get better."

Drake stared at me, his eyes cloudy. His eyes held his whole being, and they changed every time his mood did. "I understand. But if - when - I get better, will you still be there for me?"

"I'm not going to leave you," I said, rubbing circles on his hand. "I'll be with you throughout this journey. I'm way too invested anyway."

I let out a laugh that broke through the quietness of the night. Drake smiled slightly and said, "You are way too good for me."

"And so are you," I said. I glanced at my watch and sighed. "It's getting pretty late. I should go."

"Me too," Drake said. He let go of my hand and stood up, stuffing his hands into his pockets. I stood up as well and slung my backpack over my shoulders. "Buenas noches, Luna."

I smiled and shook my head. I stood up on my tippy toes and kissed his cheek. "Buenas noches, Drake."