Lucielle

Ian let his eyes observe Lucy’s features, trying to understand where her thoughts were. That was the thing about Lucy, she never showed too much, she always tried to hide it. Even if it wasn’t caused by him, her pain was never on display to Ian, no matter how hard he tried. And now more than ever, he knew there was no shot of getting a glimpse into her true emotions. Especially since he was the cause, he was the one who directly inflicted whatever pain she was feeling, whatever betrayal, shock or abandonment she felt as a result of his announcement. Her lips parted, echoing his words of when he was expected to get married. He remained silent, just watching her, waiting for something that he could potentially work with. 

His eyes dropping to her feet once she stepped back, feeling a sting in his chest at that moment, realizing that this was likely the end of it. Was there something that he could work with? Was that even a thing for them at this rate? Suddenly, she spoke, asking a question that he would rather not answer. His eyes staying on her feet for a moment longer as he thought about her question. He knew why she asking, she wanted to know how long he had kept it from her, how long he was able to deceive her for, smile in her face while knowing that he was going to be married off in a matter of time. Feeling it getting harder to breathe, Ian shut his eyes for a moment as he tried to think of how to make this less… worse. Better in some way, how could he possibly make it better? He felt desperation surge through him. He needed to make it better. 

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he let his eyes open as he looked back up to meet his gaze with Lucy. “A while.” He answered, before his brows knit together and he shook his head. “I just… I was trying to stop it… I didn’t want to say anything until I tried my best to end it and I… I guess I was in denial that I couldn’t?” He breathed out, his emotions spilling in his tone before he cleared his throat and shook his head. “I found out February of last year.” He specified. “I didn’t… I wanted to tell you when I ended it. When it was over so it wouldn’t feel. so hopeless. I guess I forgot who my father was.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Lucy.” He apologized for keeping the information from her. “But we could still make this work.” He blurted.

 Deep breaths Lucy, she reminded herself as she listened to him.  Sadness and betrayal echoed through her but her anger grew quicker. How dare he deceive her for so long? Smile and kiss her and pretend everything was OKAY for over a fucking year when he knew he was going to be marrying one of her best friends. How dare he make a fool out of her like this? Her fingers twitched at her side and she clutched them in tiny little FISTS before she could attempt to slap or throttle him. 

“Ah, so they’re just like everything else. I swear, I can’t find anything I’m searching for when I actually need it.” Although, it could be argued that she was just a disorganized mess, but she didn’t feel the need to say that. “Oh, you really don’t have to do that, but thank you! I’ll pay you back for it, at least, if you do.” Her smile was a bit more gentle, less forced, but even that small action still felt like all the energy she had left was being drained from her. A soft chuckle fell from her lips when Lucy said that avoidance was usually her answer to her problems, that, she could obviously relate to. It felt like all she did anymore was avoid anything that felt bad, and instead she chose to drown her emotions in alcohol or one reckless decision after another. “Yeah? I’m thinking a secret hideout sounds amazing, so if you truly don’t mind sharing, I would greatly appreciate it. I wouldn’t want to intrude on your safe space, though. I know how hard it can be to find somewhere to be alone, especially here, where it feels like there is always someone lurking around the corner. Or maybe that’s just me being paranoid.” Another chuckle escaped her, and this time it felt a little easier to get out. “I also hope that they rot in Hell, because honestly, screw them and everything that they think they stand for.” Maybe it wasn’t healthy for her to hold onto the anger, but at least anger felt comfortable, whereas anything else she was feeling didn’t. “Yeah, it really has been one Hell of a day. Gonna have to add this to the list of days I want to forget. If you decide you want to do something else or don’t want to be alone though, you’re welcome to join me for a bit if you want,” she offered. While there was a part of her that was desperate to be alone, there was another part of her that honestly wouldn’t mind some company. At the very least, talking to someone would prove a greater distraction than being stuck with her own thoughts. 

With Lucy’s questioning of why, Ian realized that he was reaching the point of having to tell her. Feeling the stress between blurting it out or trying to carefully word it. What was the point anyway? It was all the same shit, he couldn’t sugar coat it. “I’m being forced into a marriage.” He finally said. “An advantageous one. But still, a marriage.” He explained further and before she could reply, Ian began speaking again. “With Alek.” He figured, might as well put the cherry on top before she began reacting. Give her the full picture of how fucked it was. And suddenly, he remembered one last detail. “In a little over a week.” He added on finally, sealing the deal. It was out there and he had to brace himself for her reaction. He figured not to explain or try to excuse himself just yet, but to just see how she would react. He was anticipating the worst as he felt his chest tighten, holding his hands together nervously.

 Lucielle wished she had actually taken a seat, every next word of her boyfriend’s mouth a new BLOW that she wasn’t sure she could actually stomach. “In a week,” she echoed dully. There was no way this was actually happening. Too many emotions raged inside of her for her to actually even begin to wonder what to do so she did what she did best - remained outwardly impassive while her brain worked its ass off to make sense of what the boy was telling her. Because IAN wouldn’t do that to her, would he? It made no sense. He loved her. She loved him. Hell, he’d asked her to trust him and she had. Truly. If there was anyone outside of her family that Lucy was sure would never betray her, would never play her for a fool it was him. But as she searched his face for any signs that he was messing with her, that this was all a horrible, terrible JOKE, the blonde realised he was being serious. 

 He was engaged. Marrying one of her best fucking friends. Who hadn’t told her anything either. Did she know about this arrangement? She would have told her if she knew, right? She and Alek were friends. They were close. They talked about almost anything. Surely, SURELY, she would have told her something this big... right?

“Isn’t it? I mean, I say that like I didn’t just start smoking, like, basically yesterday, but it’s crazy how all of my lighters have managed to go POOF in the blink of an eye.” Yesterday was a bit of an exaggeration, but it certainly hadn’t been long enough for her to feel comfortable calling herself a smoker. “But one that smelled like cherries when you lit it up? That’s so cool. I had no idea there was such a thing.” A soft laugh fell from her lips after she was finished talking, but it was choked and weak and took more effort than she would have liked. Something resembling a smile formed on her lips as Lucy talked. She appreciated how understanding and patient the blonde was being. Not that it surprised her, however, because she recalled that Lucy’s secret had been revealed the same night as hers, last year at prom. Thinking of that night only caused her to feel more angry than she already did. No one deserved to have their privacy put on display like that. “Thank you. Really. And I know no one has the right to tell someone how they should react to or feel about something, but… My umma is going to want to talk eventually, whether I want to or not. Kenzie, too. I love them for caring, but I wish they’d give me time, is all.” Granted, she felt like she’d never be ready to talk, but she wanted to sort through the anger she felt before trying to talk rationally with her umma and friends. “Right? Just when I thought I couldn’t loathe them more, they prove me wrong. Well, as they say, what goes around comes around and I hope they do get theirs eventually. And, as you said, that we get a front row seat. They deserve whatever is coming to them.” Perhaps that was harsh, but she was too pissed off to be nice. She felt a small wave of relief wash over her at the change in topic and managed another small smile to show her appreciation. “My umma is taking me to dinner later and then I was probably going to have a celebratory drink or two while she was sleeping.” Which would now undoubtedly turn into three or four, or a whole bottle, but she didn’t add that. “What about you?” 

Balo: Please! I've been looking all over for her, and it's a really big campus. Has it always been this huge? It feels like they added a billion more rooms to check since yesterday.

Balo: I don't know why everyone keeps targeting me though? The gym, game night, now this? It's not like I did anything. I hid my eating disorder and didn't tell my abusive father about my mother having an affair because I'm worried he's going to kill her over it. Why does anyone care?

Balo: Sorry

Lucy: Of course! Where are you? I'll be right there.

Lucy: Balo, you haven't done anything wrong. You don't deserve what happened. Period. These are just some assholes who like to play with us and unleash terror on the land of Luxor.

Minnie attempted to smile as her gaze fell on Lucielle, but it would appear that her puppeteer had officially lost the ability to pull the strings. She failed to see the point in faking a smile anyway. Anyone who may have believed them before were most certainly not going to believe them now, not after that. It could be argued that The Crusade had done her a favor, but she was still pissed, because, much like last time, it had not been their truth to tell. “Ah, gotcha,” she said as she eyed the pack of cigarettes Lucy pulled out, somehow managing a weak grin as she did so. She hadn’t taken Lucy as the type to smoke, but then again, she supposed no one had thought her to be the type to, either. It was a relatively new habit. “I’m starting to think losing lighters is a normality when you smoke, because I’ve already lost three and I haven’t even been doing this that long,” she said, a sort of choked chuckle escaping her as she handed Lucy her lighter. “Thank you. You look lovely, too.” The words were genuine, but Lucy always looked nice. She was quiet for a moment, before responding to the rest of the other’s statement. “No, you don’t have to leave… I, honestly, I don’t mind the company. I don’t want to talk about it though, which I promise has nothing to do with you, I just…” She paused, exhaling a sigh as she tried to think of how to formulate a complete sentence about what had happened without completely falling apart. “I know everyone probably thinks I should talk, but I can’t…” She couldn’t explain why, not even to herself. All she knew was that she was terrified to let herself feel, because nothing good ever happened when she did. “Truth? I feel kind of numb to it. I mean, I’m angry at them, of course, but I can’t say that I wasn’t expecting it, at some point, with everything going on lately. I just wish my umma hadn’t been here for it. I’ve hurt her enough already.” 

Balo: So, if anyone sees my mom please let me know if she's safe I'm freaking out.

Balo: Although Will says he's seen dad multiple times since the reveal and he's not covered in blood or anything, so she's probably just laying low and avoiding him.

Balo: Anyway The Crusade is officially banned from my graduation party next weekend! Although I'm pretty sure Ches wouldn't invite them anyway, she's not very fond of them. I think they're still mad at me for finding out their weakness to Disco music, although I wish they'd just come and talk to me instead of doing stuff like this...

Lucy: Hi. I haven't seen her.

Lucy: Are you looking for her? Do you need me to help with that? Or to keep you company?

The sound of Lucielle’s laugh was the only indication Marcello needed to understand that this had been a horrible idea. Just as he had expected, she seemed bitter and impatient with him. His anger spiked at her mention of jail time, something that others had taunted Marcello with since his childhood. “Yeah, right,” he spat, before holding himself back from chastising the girl even more. Marcello let out an irritated sigh, shoving his hands in his pockets as he glanced away from Lucy. “Just, listen then,” he demanded gruffly, his eyes falling to the floor as he attempted to continue. If she didn’t want an explanation, that was none of his problem and quite frankly easier than him having to lie. He was only going through with this for Maia’s sake.  “I didn’t want to hurt you, alright? You shouldn’t have been dragged into the middle of my shit. And… believe what you want, but I’m sorry,” he spoke low, the words coming out fast as if getting it out quicker would make his frustration fade. 

“They’re fine, Luce.” He reassured her, his voice dejected at the thought of how he wondered just how bad she would take this. Considering her concerns were much worse… or so he hoped she would see them that way. “My dad is fine. Everyone is fine.” He continued. Seeing as she wouldn’t sit down, Ian felt himself growing nervous and so he decided to stand up as well, not feeling comfortable to be the only one sitting. Hearing her panic in her voice, Ian pulled his lower lip into his mouth as he wondered what the best way to say it. As if he didn’t spend months trying to word it, but nothing that he came up with felt right. “You know… how my dad will stop at nothing to obtain as much power and connection that he can, right?” Ian asked, figuring he would ease into it that way.

Typically the sight of Lucy would have Ian grinning from ear to ear with nothing bu the excitement to see her. As she walked towards him asking about a TikTok, he could spot the relief on her features. It made sense, he didn’t usually ask to meet in such places so randomly. And if he did he would usually have something prepared for her. “No, not a TikTok.” He said, with a slight grin however the tension was clear on his face. “Come.” He said, feeling himself grow nervous as his time was running out. He had to tell her and everything was going to crumble. Inhaling deeply to calm his nerves, Ian pressed his lips together as he tried to calm down but this was too big for him to even attempt to be gone. He knew the likelihood of Lucy walking out and never seeing him again was high and he felt his heart already shattering before it even happened. Motioning over to one of the chairs by the pool, Ian took a seat on the edge of them, figuring sitting down might be better. That way she can’t run off as quickly.