#monatai

She brings her haze up from her distraction to the one now talking and a sigh escapes her. Taiwan stands next to China and Hong Kong, speaking when she can about the pollution issue they are facing and are encouraging the others to make changes as well. 

With a poker face learned from years and years, Lucille doesn’t react much, simply turning her head back to her cards when Taiwan looks her way. Her thoughts however race far faster than any before it. A shuffle of her cards and she flips the deck to show the bottom card, the queen of hearts glaring back at her.

She decides to put them away for now.

Taking the time to work on other projects, her eyes still glance up the moment she knows Taiwan is speaking. Her voice is soft and sweet but the sharp glare that slips out when someone tries to talk over her has Lucille’s mouth twitching up into a smile at the corners. An expression that fades just as quick.

Maybe they have talked once upon a time. A long time ago. An event or party or something but the conversation fleeted fast and there’s hardly any memory left of it to matter. Still Lucille looks on in secret as the inklings of crush like feelings demand to be felt.

The meeting ends all too soon. With her things already packed for the last half hour she’s quick to pick up and leave. She mingles in with the crowd of others, overlooked by many sine her height is short, she slips through them easily. Once outside she takes a second to make sure she has everything, though she knows she does.

“Mona!” Her heart leaps but her face shows no sign or over excitement. A small smile graces her features as Taiwan comes to her bubbly and all giggles.

“That was so stressful,” Taiwan whines and Lucille shakes her head at the childishness of her attitude.

“You did well enough,” She tells her and Taiwan perks up at the compliment. Her eyes shine and Lucille can’t help the pride at being responsible for that expression, if only for a moment.

Only a moment it is

“Yo Mei!” Lucille’s throat closes up entirely. Taiwan jumps happily into the arms of Kenya as she comes over. The two share sweet whispers and soft kisses that cause Lucille to look to the ground, far more interested in the grass growing between cracks of pavement that the public display of affection.

“Hey Monaco, me and Imani going to get food, do you want to join us?” Taiwan bounces back to her and Lucille snaps her head up at being addressed. She looks between the two of them. Kenya with her arm draped casually over Taiwan’s shoulder and the easy smile on her face.

“Sorry, Busy,” Lucille shrugs and Taiwan looks sadder. The smile is brought back to her face when Kenya kisses her cheek. Lucille watches them walk away with laughter between them.

The cards in her hand are a minor distraction on her ride back to the hotel she’s staying at. Every other card is the queen or king of hearts and it drives her mad. She tosses the cards down beside her and only grits her teeth seeing the joker staring right up at her.

Oh she wishes she could have told Taiwan before hand. Said something, anything. Instead she hid behind her cards and a poker face as Kenya came swooping in with grace and a charm that swept Taiwan off her feet before Lucille could even shuffle.It had been so easy to see their relationship blossom.

It hurt so much to hear them on a name basis. Lucille would give anything to be able to say Taiwan’s name with full permission to do so. Sure they are friends but the two of them got so much closer than Lucille could manage.