YENA

Something weird was going on with Lucy.

I started feeling suspicious on the phone. But when I saw her coming up the porch steps in the morning, I knew for sure.

Lucy looked different from the last time I saw her. Not physically. It was just sort of like her energy had been turned all the way down to its lowest setting.

“Hey,” I said, welcoming her into the house and quickly shutting the door against the cold. “How are you doing this morning?”

“I’m good,” Lucy said, smiling. Her eyes looked tired though.

“Come have some pancakes,” I told her. “Or eggs and bacon, or whatever else you want. Tina will whip up anything to order, she can’t help herself.”

Lucy laughed. “Pancakes sound great.”

I decided I’d hold off on the questions till after we ate.

She had a good appetite, so that was heartening. And the calories and sugar did perk her up some.

Tina tried to keep Lucy at the table as long as possible, refilling her coffee cup nonstop and asking her a million questions.

“See,” Tina said, playing with Lucy’s hair. “I knew you were a beautiful model, because I watched you in that fashion show. But Yena never told me you were a philosopher, too!”

Lucy laughed. “No one’s ever called me that before, but I like the sound of it. But really, I love Philosophy, but I’m actually thinking about maybe changing my major.”

I couldn’t help but ask, “What? Why?”

Lucy shook her head. “I don’t know, I guess I realized there’s not much I can do with that degree. I might switch to Poli-Sci, and then apply for law school when I graduate.”

“Law school!” Tina gasped. “Do you hear that, Yena? Your best friend is going to be a successful lawyer!”

Lucy put her hands up in the air. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, please. It’s just something I’m thinking about.”

“Well, I’m sure you’d be a fantastic lawyer. The way you walked that catwalk…”

Then Tina did what I guess was supposed to be an impression of Lucy walking down the runway at the fashion show. She pranced across the kitchen, stepping each foot carefully in a straight line and swaying her hips. When she got to the wall, she did a clumsy little spin and then pulled her apron off dramatically and held it to her side.

Lucy just about died laughing. Tina and I joined in.

“You were breath-taking,” Tina said, patting Lucy on the shoulder. “Take that confidence into a courtroom, and I’m sure you’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand!”

Lucy beamed, and I felt a flood of relief, seeing her looking like herself again.

After eating, I gave Lucy a very quick tour of Tina’s little house, concluding in my bedroom.

“It’s a tiny bit smaller than my last place,” I said sarcastically.

“I love it,” Lucy said. She flopped down on my bed and looked over at the wall, where I’d hung up a bunch of my clothing projects.

“You been getting any work done?” she asked.

“Not much.” I took a seat on the edge of the bed. “I haven’t been feeling very inspired.”

Lucy nodded seriously, like she understood.

“That’s okay,” she said. “You’ve got a lot going on. It’s okay to take a break.”

“Thanks.” I smiled at her. “You feel like trying a few things on?”

Her eyes lit up. “Do you even have to ask? Let’s see what you’ve got!”

Then it was just like old times. Except I only had a few pieces for her to try on, and it sure wasn’t the comfortable process we used to enjoy in the studio at the palace. We had to keep side-stepping each other and all my bedroom furniture while she changed and while I worked on fitting them to her.

When we finished working for a few hours, I asked Lucy if she wanted to stay for lunch.

“Tina said she’s making pot pies,” I told her. “And I know I say this about everything she makes, but they really are the best.”

“I would love to, Yena, but I think I should actually get going.” Lucy looked at her watch and frowned.

“Really?”

“Yeah…” She was avoiding my eyes.

“What could possibly be more important than pot pies?”

I laughed at my own dumb joke, but Lucy didn’t. She got squirmy and looked like she wasn’t sure what to say.

“It’s just…” Finally she met my eyes, but she was struggling to finish her sentence.

“What is it, Lucy? Is everything okay?”

“It’s totally okay,” she said. “I’m sorry I’m being weird, I just didn’t know if I should tell you about this.”

“Lucy, you can tell me anything!” I grabbed her hand and dragged her over to the bed. We sat down side by side.

“It’s just that I’m kind of embarrassed about it,” she said with a little smile.

“What is it? Do you have a hot date or something?”

Lucy turned red.

“Oh, Goddess! You do have a date! Why wouldn’t you want to tell me about that?”

She shook her head.

“Oh, well, alright, here it is. I do have a date tonight, but I didn’t want to tell you about it because I think I’m going to break up with him already.”

“Oh, no… Lucy, I’m sorry about that.”

I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t read Lucy’s face well enough to know what she was truly feeling about this situation.

I had a feeling… It was Adan.

Lucy had been seeing Adan. I knew it.

And he was not being good to her.

My heart started racing. I was getting angry.

I opened my mouth and almost asked her outright if it was him.

But I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. Maybe I was totally wrong. And if Lucy wanted to tell me exactly what was going on, I had to let her do it on her own pace.

“It’s no big deal,” Lucy said quickly. “And I promise I’ll tell you more about it later.”

“Okay, that’s fine. You sure you’re okay, though? Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Yeah, it’s alright.” She gave me a smile, and it seemed sincere. “I’m starting to think it’s just not meant to be.”

ADAN

“Hey, sweetheart,” Adan said when Lucy picked up the phone.

“Hi,” she replied. “Are you on your way?”

Adan sighed. “I’m so sorry Lucy, but no. I’m not going to make it tonight.”

She was quiet, waiting for him to say more.

Adan couldn’t help but smile. He had to force his mouth into a different shape, though, before he could speak again in a convincing tone.

“And I want to tell you about the reason why, but I also realize that it won’t make a difference either way… I feel like such a jerk, giving you such short notice, but I swear to you there was nothing I could do to get out of this meeting, with enough time to call you before—”

“Adan, stop,” Lucy said.

He smiled. This was the first time he’d managed to get a rise out of her.

Lucy was a very calm, cheerful, and patient girl. And she was afraid of him.

Maybe not being in the same room together was giving her some courage.

“You don’t have to keep explaining,” Lucy continued. “But I’m gonna go now. I’ll talk to you later when I’m less mad.”

She hung up before he could respond.

Adan rolled down the windows and laughed.

He’d come to dislike Lucy a lot over the past few weeks, so he was enjoying punishing her.

He glanced at the clock on his car dashboard. It was only twenty minutes till the time he’d told Lucy he would be picking her up. She was definitely already dressed and made up, with her hair done.

Adan sped up on the highway, feeling a little bit high with the satisfaction of hurting sweet little Lucy.

And it wasn’t just for the fun. Adan was standing Lucy up for a practical reason. He was working on getting her to like him less.

Next step was to “try to make it up to her” tomorrow morning.

He’d leave flowers on her doorstep or something.

Right now, Lucy was mad.

But a gesture would soften her anger. At least a little bit.

It was all groundwork for when he dumped her. If she got tired of his bullshit, she’d be less upset that the relationship was over. But he also didn’t want her to hate him too much.

Because he did worry she’d start telling people about their clandestine romance if she started hating him too much.

It was a fine line. But Adan was a master of walking those.