Chapter Text
Lucy
— You’ve got to be kidding me!
— Hey, it’s you! — I hear someone nearby say, and I try to pretend it’s not directed at me. — Hey!
— Here you go, Officer! — The barista, Jane, says and hands me my coffee and Jackson’s.
— Thank you! — I quickly turn towards the door. But as I grab the handle, someone lightly pulls me by the arm.
— Lulu? — I close my eyes and take a deep breath. That nasal voice. It couldn’t be! Only a select few people ever called me that, and I’d pay good money to never run into them again. — Lulu Nerd? It really is you! — I turn around and see Jessica Redding, the most popular and annoying girl from my high school year.
— Jessica! — She hasn’t changed a bit. Same face, same hair color, still skinny... — How are you?
— You’ve changed so much! I almost didn’t recognize you! — She exclaims in disbelief. — Didn’t you hear me calling you?
— I did, but I thought it was for someone else. — I try to change the subject.
— But look at you, Lulu! — She makes a puzzled face. — The barista called you officer? Did I hear that right? Are you a cop, Lulu? I heard you were studying psychology!
— Wow! You heard about that? — She shrugs. — Well, things change! I’m a P2 officer now.
— Who would’ve thought? — She says, and I roll my eyes.
— But Jessica, what are you doing here? — As soon as we graduated, she moved to England with her parents and has been living there ever since. Her face lights up completely, and a sly smile appears.
— Oh, you didn’t hear? — My confused face must have given it away because she smiles even more. — Isaac is organizing a reunion with our old classmates. That’s why I’m here. He insisted we all come! Didn’t you get the invite?
Reunion?
— I didn’t get anything. — I say flatly. I hadn’t received anything, no message, no word from anyone. — Nothing related to that.
— Really? Did you check your email? He’s been sending invitations for a while now. — I frown and pull out my phone. Not only was I excluded back in school, but I’m being excluded now! Even Jessica got invited, and Isaac brought her all the way from overseas!! — I’m telling you, I didn’t get anything! — I check my texts, no unusual calls. — I barely use email and... — There it was, in bold letters. The reunion invite, sent a month ago. — I’m not sure if I should be surprised that I got the invite or not. — I whisper.
— What did you say, Lulu? — That nickname irritated me.
— Oh, come on! — I look directly at her. — Don’t call me that! It’s Officer Chen or Lucy! — Her face twists for a moment, but she quickly masks it.
— You should come! — She exclaims. — EVERYONE will be there.
— What do you mean by EVERYONE? — I ask, already dreading the answer. — All our classmates! Isaac really went all out inviting everyone! Like me, many were out of the country, but he made sure to get in touch.
— Don’t tell me. — I wasn’t surprised. From what I remember of him, he’s the kind of show-off who would do anything to flaunt. Wouldn’t even surprise me if he invited me just to humiliate me again.
Maybe I’m wrong, but people don’t change that easily. Jessica standing in front of me is living proof.
— You’re coming, right!? — She asks hopefully.
— I’m not sure... I have shifts at work and...
— I’m sure you can make it. — She looks at me, analyzing me and then pauses at my hand. — Are you engaged? — She exclaims loudly, drawing some attention. Jessica points at my moonstone ring.
— Oh, this! It’s not... — I lift my hand to explain, but she keeps rambling.
— I can’t believe it! No way...
— What? — I ask, offended. — Why is that so absurd?
— Oh, because after what Isaac did... I didn’t think you’d manage. — Jessica says, and I get angry.
What the hell is this? Is that all my life is to them?
— Oh, yeah... But I really am engaged. — I say, and she looks shocked at my statement. What am I doing? What fiancé?
— Oh, congratulations! — Jessica says. — Who is he? Is he handsome?
— Does it matter to you? — She almost seems offended.
— Of course! It’s not every day you run into Lulu Nerd and she’s engaged! Do you have photos of him?
— I don’t have many photos because he’s private. — My God, why did I make this up? I owe her and no one from school any explanations.
Jessica laughs.
— Do you think I’m making it up? — Even though I’m fabricating this ridiculous story to soothe my ego, it bothers me that she thinks I’m incapable of having someone.
— Of course not, dear! But you haven’t even told me his name...
— Tim. — His name slipped out without hesitation, even before I thought of someone else.
— What a cute name! Congratulations! — She still looks suspicious. — You can bring him to the reunion.
— Jessica... I don’t even know if I’m going. How would I bring him? Besides, he’s very busy with our work and...
— Sounds like excuses not to introduce him! — She says mischievously. — If he exists, there’s no reason not to bring him.
My God. — Jessica... — I sighed, exhausted.
— Or are you making him up? — She says smugly.
— I’m not... — My phone buzzes, and Jackson’s name appears. With all this, I forgot about him. — I have to go now.
— OK! But if you don’t come... I’ll say you lied about it...
WHY DID I MAKE THIS UP? CAN I KICK MYSELF NOW?
— Bye, Jessica. — My head was spinning. I open the door and head to the car, feeling her presence behind me.
— SEE YOU THERE! — She shouts, and I get in the car, already feeling Jackson’s frustration.
— Why the hell did you take so long? — Jackson starts to complain but backs down when he looks at me.
— Just drive. — I whispered, and he complied without hesitation.