Heaven is on earth (Loubbie)

6 . Lou.

Lou's heart raced as her gaze fixated on Debbie, who stood amidst the boisterous crowd. The spotlight bathed her in a radiant glow, accentuating her face. It had been years. Yet the emotions that surged within Lou were as intense as ever. The dimly lit room faded into the background as Lou's mind journeyed back to the moment they first met. Debbie, with her contagious smile and magnetic energy, had been among the few who truly connected with Lou. Their connection was instantaneous, like a harmonious melody that transcended time and space. They spent hours lost in conversation, sharing their dreams, aspirations, and fears. But life had a way of pulling them apart, their paths diverging, like two notes drifting away from each other. Yet, fate had a habit of intertwining their lives in unexpected ways. Through Lou's eyes, Debbie was a vision of captivating beauty. Her lustrous, chestnut brown hair cascaded down her shoulders in gentle waves, framing a face that seemed sculpted by an artist's hand. Her eyes, the color of a profound and warm hazelnuts, held a depth and intensity that could enrapture even the most jaded soul. Debbie used to possesse a radiant smile, one that could light up the darkest of rooms and thaw even the coldest of hearts. When her lips curved into that smile, it felt as though the world paused, caught in a moment of sheer enchantment. It was a smile that revealed her inner joy and genuine warmth, drawing people in like moths to a flame. Even thought at this very moment. Debbie was not smiling at all.

In Lou's eyes, Debbie was more than just a beautiful brunette; she was a muse, a source of inspiration, and a beacon of hope. Her mere presence ignited a fire within Lou, urging her to chase her dreams and embrace life's unpredictability. Debbie was the embodiment of everything Lou desired. As Lou watched Debbie among the crowd, her heart swelled with a mixture of longing and admiration. She couldn't help but be drawn to Debbie's beauty, both inside and out. At that moment, Lou realized that the connection they shared was more than just a passing fancy—it was a profound bond that transcended physical appearances, a connection that had the power to shape their destinies and redefine their lives...

But she only could see a tinge of sadness reflected in those warm hazel eyes. It was a melancholy that stirred a pang of empathy within Lou's chest. She wondered what secrets and untold stories lay hidden behind that beautiful facade, what burdens weighed upon Debbie's heart.

In that fleeting moment, Lou could almost hear the echoes of unspoken sorrows, like whispered laments carried by the wind. It was as if the enchanting smile that had captivated, so many hid a reservoir of pain that only the discerning eye could perceive. And all Lou could do was silently hold Debbie's gaze while speaking to this crowd. The sadness in Debbie's eyes served just broke Lou's heart. Lou couldn't help but be mesmerized by Debbie.

**

Lou entered the storage room to gather her thoughts, but she founds herself face to face with Constance.

"Hey, Lou. Are you okay?"

Lou's voice trembled as she holds back tears.

"Not really... I... I just saw her..."

Constance senses Lou's pain and grows concerned.

"Saw who? What's going on?"

Lou's eyes well up, tears threatening to spill over.

"It's Debbie. I saw her tonight..."

Constance's eyes widen in shock.

"What Debbie? The Debbie ?"

Lou's voice quivers as she continues.

"She looked so beautiful...

Constance's confusion deepens, trying to grasp the situation.

"Wait, I don't understand. Why does that upset you?"

Lou's tears finally streaming down her face.

"She told me. I was dead to her...