Reel Love

Chapter 1

"Marieee! Are you coming?!?!" My best friend Ana shouted impatiently. Ana always insisted on being on time. Which of course I don't understand. I debated whether or not to shout back ' I'm not coming' or ' ready for what?' but I also know that Ana isn't too found of my sarcasm this evening. We're-or should I say I- is still getting ready to meet up with Ana's 'soul mate' or 'one true love' you can put it either way. Tonight we are going to Erin's birthday party,who is Ana's older sister. The party is at my favourite pub, so when Ana mentioned it, I knew I had to come. Ana thinks she's 'in love' I roll my green eyes just thinking about how she explained it to me. "Marie, you just don't understand. It's like you're finding yourself and I don't know. It's just so perfect." Her wonderful explanation of love, isn't it? I, for one, do not believe in soul mates or true love. And if they exist, I think mine got lost or hit by a train. Oh well, I better finish up before Ana comes for me. I glance at my reflection in the mirror for one more time. My long red hair is curled into perfect spirals sitting carefully on my shoulders, complementing the green/teal long sweater I'm wearing. With my black leggings and plain white flats. We're going to a pub, I can't be wearing a fancy dress or skinny jeans. At one point, we'll get pulled into a jig. That's how it always ends. So I settle with something comfy and decide to wear a gray tank top underneath incase my sweater starts to give me a heat stroke. "Marieeeee!!!!! I can't wait much longer Lucas is supposed to be here in two minutes!" Ah yes, Lucas. He is the 'soul mate' the 'one true love' I grab my black coat stick my wallet and phone on the inside pockets, hidden from pick pocketers. "oooo! Marie! He's here!! Come on!" I litterly sprint down the stairs. I see Ana open the front door for Lucas. "Nice to see you, Ana" he looks at her, with a genuine smile that slowly fades as I approach the door.I notice him shifting uncomfortably under my presence. "Hello Lucas." I say looking right at him. I can sense his hesitation, by the deep sigh he takes before meeting my eyes. "Hello, Marie" he says with an extremely bored tone thats laced with annoyance. I can tell he's upset that I'm a third wheel. Ana being completely oblivious,as usual,breaks the awkward silence. "Finally you're ready, Marie! I swear you take forever!" she says each word with extreme exaggeration. "I'm sorry, I just never know when I'll be meeting my soul mate" I say my tone dripping with sarcasm. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lucas stifle a laugh. Who knew he had a sense of humor? Ana obviously annoyed with my impression of her, rolls her eyes and sighs."You won't ever grow up, will you?" she asks. "Nope. And if you don't mind I'd like to be there before the party's over" I say. Ana's jaw drops. She stares at me "You want to be on time?" she says each word slowly, not even trying to hide her shock. I decide just to nod,to keep from laughing at her reaction. Then we are out the door. We are walking towards Lucas's car. I grab the back door, knowing I have to sit in the back seat, because 'soul mates' have to do everything together. I tune out their pointless conversations. And stare out the window, until I hear Lucas say confidently "- since you're moving in soon" What?! Ana's moving out? Why hasn't she told me? Is she really moving in with Lucas? I sit up and snap my attention at her. "Ana? Are you moving out?" I ask her nervously. I'm seriously worried

that Ana's leaving me, and this time for real. I mean this isn't the first time she's moved out, but this is the first time she wasn't the one who brought 'the next step in the relationship'. From what I understand: Lucas has asked Ana to move in. Which never happens, Ana is always the one who suggests that they take the next step. Her motto is "Treat every relationship like it's your true love" But guess where that's taken her? Yup, crying her eyes out while I hold her; comforting her broken heart. While we eat ice cream and she sniffles, going on about "I thought he was the one" and "It came out of nowhere" sometimes with my personal favourite " How could I not see it coming!? He told me he loved me!". Obviously not. I think relationships are a waste of time. She turns around from the passenger seat to look at me."Yes, Marie. I am moving in with Lucas." her words dripping with annoyance with a hint of excitement. She pauses and looks away from me and at him. The way she looks at him makes me sick. She looks like a puppy staring in awe. And the worst part is he looks at her for a brief second, with the exact same look of awe. Before he redirects his attention towards the road. "At the end of the month." she finishes. Their hands are intertwined. And they both look so happy. I can't help but think, it won't last. It always starts like this but in the end I'm the one holding Ana as she crys her eyes our, and I'm the one who is really always there for her. Am I losing her to Lucas? Is it real this time? I take a sigh of relief as I see the pub come into vison. Now I can escape from my outrageous thoughts about love. And into the world of loud music and irish dance.