Sunflower

Chapter 8

Present Day continued....

Lucy

When I walk back into the bar alone, everyone has that look on their faces that practically says- we know what you did you heartless b***h. But sooner or later, I'll have to face them. I'll have to tell the truth- that I didn't want to give Chris the opportunity to end things once he had some time and distance to realize he could do better; that I'm a coward. That I have more going on in my life than Chris or any of them even know.

"Why am I just now finding out you and Chris broke up?" Andrew asks me as soon as I sit down at the bar next to him.

"A heads up would've been appreciated, you know," Cole adds. "We feel like we're part of this relationship too. I mean, we've been around from the beginning. If you and Chris can't work, then who can?! You're the epitome of true love!"

"And what the hell are we?" Annie, asks, furrowing her brows and motioning between her and Sam.

Cole gives her a look. "You're getting married in a black dress, don't talk to me."

"It's true though. You and Chris had the healthiest relationship I've ever seen," Andrew says. "What on earth happened? Is it because of the internship?"

I take a second to fight back the tears I feel coming on. But it's almost impossible. After I just let Chris walk away from me, how am I supposed to recover? I think I'm only now just realizing how incredibly stupid I am. How selfish I am. I need him and I'm pushing him away. Because I'm afraid...

"Don't make her talk about it if she's not ready," Annie says, coming to my defense. "This has been hard for her."

Sam scoffs. "Yeah, I'm sure it's been real hard breaking someone's heart."

Annie gives him a stern look, but I deserve the sarcasm. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone here, who claims to be my friend, would turn their backs on me once they found out I broke Chris's heart for the sake of my own.

"Everything seemed fine earlier, so forgive me if I can't wrap my head around this," Andrew says, his eyes wide in shock and disbelief. "Didn't you guys just have s*x in the bathroom?"

Okay, this is about all I can take of this night.

I blow out a breath and stand up. "Look, I know this seems like it's out of nowhere, but I've given it a lot of thought. I won't let Chris give up this opportunity because of me. There will be a lot of distance between us, not to mention, a thirteen hour time difference. I want him to do this and I want him to give it his all. He won't do that as long as I'm in the picture."

Without another word, I hurry for the exit before I burst into tears.

Annie

I contemplate running after Lucy, just to make sure she's okay. But I know the answer to that question already. I know she's going into self-preservation mode. She thinks the time and distance she and Chris spend apart from one another will make him realize he could do better than her. She's wrong, but since she's too hard headed to listen to facts, maybe I can get a little creative.

After all, we can't let their relationship end this way. They really are the epitome of true love.

"Okay, I must've missed something," Andrew says, still staring at the door Lucy just left out of.

"They broke up earlier today. Lucy is afraid she and Chris will grow apart while he's in Australia, so she's pushing him away," I sigh, stirring my drink with my straw.

"So you knew about this?" Andrew asks, hurt that Lucy would tell me, but not him.

"She was going to tell everyone tonight, but I don't think she expected Chris to show up," I shrug.

"But they hooked up in the bathroom tonight," Cole says.

"I guess all the reminiscing we've been doing stirred up emotions," Sam says, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "They were remembering the good old days, before we all had so much responsibility."

"Yeah, our lives were a lot simpler back then, huh," Andrew says dejectedly. "I was really rooting for Chris and Lucy though. Can you imagine how beautiful their children would have been?"

"Maybe we won't have to imagine," I say, suddenly getting an idea.

Sam gives me a look, one that lets me know he's aware that I'm about to hatch one of my master plans that usually gets us all into trouble.

"What?" Andrew asks.

We have to remind them that what they have is worth the sacrifice they'll make over the next two years; that no amount of time or distance, and no other soul on the planet will tear apart what they have- what they're destined for.

Of course, I'm far too drunk to explain a complex plan to my friends who are also drunk. I pick my huge, black vegan leather bag up off the floor and start digging for my food journal. I bought it so I could use it while dieting for my wedding, but I've sort of flaked out on the dieting. Needless to say, I have a few blank pages in my journal.

I start jotting down my idea in case I don't remember it after tomorrow's hangover.

"What are you doing?" Sam asks.

"I'll explain everything tomorrow," I say, biting my lip in concentration as I write. "Meet at my apartment for brunch."

"Brunch?" Cole asks, looking down at his watch. "It's already past midnight. If you're making brunch plans, I need to be turning in for the night."

"You're such a grandpa," Sam chuckles, shaking his head.

"That domestic life is starting to get to you, huh?" I smirk at Cole.

He looks to Andrew and smiles.

"Well, we do have a routine," Andrew laughs.

"Which has us in bed most nights by ten," Cole shrugs. "Being a parent to two cats is an exhausting job."

"I'm still getting used to the fact that you're gay," Sam says, shaking his head. "You've slept with more women that Charlie Sheen probably has."

"Wow, really? Charlie Sheen?" Cole asks in disbelief. "First off, I've only been with two women. I flirted a lot, yes, but that was only because I was trying to hide who I really am."

"You did a wonderful job of hiding," I tell him. "I mean, I for one was shocked when you confessed your love for Andrew. Not that I can blame you for falling for my little Andy boo," I coo, pinching Andrew's cheek.

He scowls at me and swats my hand away. "You're getting off subject. What are you explaining to us tomorrow over brunch?"

Oh yeah. That.

"Well, I've got this plan to sort of...recreate...Lucy and Chris's perfect day. Do you remember last September? When-"

I stop talking with both Cole and Andrew began singing September by Earth Wind and Fire. I give them a bored look and they finally stop, giggling like the drunken idiots they are.

"Sorry. You were saying?" Cole asks, still trying to hold back a smile.

"One day, last September, around Lucy's birthday, Chris had us help him give Lucy the perfect day," I explain.

"Uh huh, I remember," Andrew yawns, his eyes growing increasingly heavy.

"Lucy went through so much last year and Chris wanted to do something that would make her smile for her birthday. So he gave her all her favorite things, took her to her favorite places and at the end of the date, played her favorite song," I go on. "We all remember how much Lucy loved it. I mean, I think if he would've popped the question that night, she would've said yes."

"Why hasn't he popped the question yet?" Cole asks. "They've been dating for five years and they lived together for the past two."

Everyone looks around at each other as if we're all silently asking the same question.

"Do you think that's why they really broke up?" Andrew asks. "Because one of them wanted to take the next step and the other wasn't ready?"

If that's the case, Lucy never said a word to me about it. She's mentioned future wedding plans from time to time, but it was more of just what she wanted for her wedding and not really anything in particular. Did she want to get married and Chris wasn't ready? Or is it the other way around?

"I don't think that was it," Cole says. "If either of them wanted to get married, one of us would know. What are the odds that neither of them would tell us something like that?"

"Well, they didn't tell us they broke up either," Andrew adds.

That's not exactly true. Lucy told me a few days ago she was planning to end her relationship with Chris because she didn't want to do long distance while he was in Australia. She never mentioned anything else- no other problems, no arguments, nothing. They were fine until suddenly, they just weren't anymore.

But that doesn't make sense...

"I'm starting to think that they're not telling us the whole story," I say, thinking out loud. "And until I know for sure what's going on, we need to put our brunch plan on hold."

"What brunch plan?" Andrew asks.

Cole smirks at him. "I need to get this poor baby home before he passes out and I have to carry him. Plus, Luke and Leia are probably wondering where we are. We hardly ever stay out this late."

"Yes, your cats are probably worried sick about you, because that's what cats do," Sam says flatly.

"Hey. Our cats are different," Cole says, narrowing his eyes at Sam as he helps Andrew to his feet. "They love us unconditionally."

"Is that why Luke wakes you up by punching you in the face?" I ask him.

"He's not punching me, he's playfully and lovingly tapping me," Cole corrects me.

"Anyway," I sigh, rolling my eyes. "I'll text you guys and let you know what the plan is."

"What plan?" Andrew asks.

"It's okay, babe. I'll fill you in later," Cole smiles, pecking Andrew's cheek. "Alright guys, I need to get my drunk boyfriend home. Let me know if brunch is on or not."

After they're gone, Sam looks at me and grimaces. "Annie, if their breakup is about anything other than Australia, you need to back off. We're going to mess around and make things worse for them."

"I know," I frown. "But Lucy never told me it was anything else. I'm going to go by her place for just a few minutes, okay? I'll see you at home."

"Okay," he replies when I kiss his cheek.

I hurry out of the restaurant and catch a cab to Lucy's apartment, which is about ten blocks away. I could just call her, but I'd rather do this face to face. She'll lie to me over the phone, but I'll be able to tell if she's lying to my face. She's a terrible liar, after all.

She hardly ever lied to Chris because he could see right through her. I remember the first and probably only time she did. We were just about to get out for winter break, our junior year of college. Final exams were over and so was the stress that came with them.

Ah, I remember those days like it was only yesterday. Days when we were all happy and in love, without a care in the world. I'm determined to see Lucy and Chris at the alter someday. I can't accept either of them ending up with someone else. It just doesn't feel right.