| When We Were in Love | |H.S|

| 10 | Arms of a Stranger |

"When I was on my knees in the darkness, yeah you would be there to break my fall,

but now I'm lying here so helpless, but somehow I just still want more.

You left me with nothing. Now I'm lying in the arms of a stranger, but why do I think of you?"

-Arms Of A Stranger, Niall Horan. 2020.

| Lily |

"You look amazing," Lucy told me.

"I look like a Barbie doll. Come on Lucy, we're going going on small tour of the city. Can't I wear something more casual?"

Lucy was definitely someone who loved to stand out. She dressed me up in such a fancy outfit, I truly felt a completely different person. She had me in a bright pink shirt with white bell bottom pants. I was wearing open toed shoes because she even went down to the detail of painting my toes. She painted them a sky blue color while she tied my hair up in a pony tail and threw on a face of makeup. My eyelids were the same color as my toes and my lipstick was the same color as my shirt. It felt so strange wearing so much color since I normally wear such bland colors. My favorite was black. So despite all the color, I was happy when she let me wear the black cardigan over the outfit. It didn't cover it all but it covered enough to make me feel a bit more at peace.

"You literally look stunning, why would you want to change?"

"Because this isn't a date." I argued pushing back the loose strand of hair in my face.

"What are you talking about? Of course it's a date!"

"He literally said he's trying to make friends," I defended.

"Lily, he booked the newest and most popular place on the island. It's impossible to get a spot there for the next three months!" I rolled my eyes at Lucy as I threw my cardigan on the couch near the door.

"Means nothing," I said as I walked to the kitchen to grab my phone which was charging. I unlocked my phone and scrolled through social media while I waited, nervously. Suddenly, Lucy came into the kitchen with a giant smile on her face while she danced a bit.

"Okay! So Rylie is about to be here to pick me up for work, but I have your location, my ringer will be on, and I will be right there if you need me at any point tonight," she said coming to me and holding my hands. I gave her a small smile showing her I appreciated her. More than she actually knows. Which sucks.

"I know, I know, I'll keep you updated.." I said quietly. Lucy smiled as she pulled me into a hug. We pulled apart from our hug when we heard footsteps quickly running into the house.

"Hello you beautiful ladies!" Rylie said running in and pulling us into a hug.

"Are you excited for the date Lily?!" she exclaimed.

"It's not a date," Lucy mocked. I rolled my eyes and shook my head as we pulled away from the hug.

"Exactly," I slightly smiled. They both rolled their eyes at me while they shook their heads.

"Sure whatever, anyways, hun, you look beautiful as always," she told me. I gave her a half smile as I looked away.

"Thanks.."

"Well, Lucy I think we should get going for a few reasons. One, being that the dinner rush starts soon and two we don't wanna make it awkward when he gets here," Rylie said. Lucy's eyes suddenly got huge.

"Oh my god! We totally need to be here when he gets here! I didn't even think of that!" she exclaimed. Soon, my eyes were wider than hers.

"Oh no, no, no, no, you have to leave," I said.