Heaven is on earth (Loubbie)

8 . You look like a fifteen years old girl.

Debbie stood in front of the full-length mirror, carefully adjusting the hemline of her black dress, while Tammy sat on the nearby bed, watching her intently. The room was filled with a soft glow from the warm, golden afternoon sunlight streaming through the curtains.

"So, how did it go with Lou?" Tammy asked, her voice laced with curiosity as she reached for a necklace, holding it up for Debbie to see.

Debbie paused, her fingers stilling momentarily before continuing her adjustments. She hesitated for a moment, debating how much to reveal. Finally, she sighed softly and turned to face Tammy.

"We talked," her voice calm, yet a subtle hint of vulnerability seeping through. She locked eyes with Tammy in the reflection of the mirror. Then sat at the edge of her bed, a thoughtful expression on her face as she twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers. Tammy perched beside her, a supportive presence in the quiet room.

"Seeing Lou again was... awkward, to say the least."

Tammy leaned in. "Awkward? How so?"

Debbie sighed, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon outside the window. "It's just... after all this time, the familiarity was still there, but so much has changed. "

Tammy nodded, understanding the weight of Debbie's words.

Debbie looked at Tammy, gratitude shining in her eyes for the understanding. "It felt like we were walking on fragile ground, which was my fault. Because she was actually really trying to be... I don't know... Nice ?."

Tammy reached out and squeezed Debbie's hand gently, offering silent support.

Debbie's lips formed a half-smile, a hint of sadness lingering. "It felt suffocating. But amidst all the awkwardness, there were glimpses of what once was. She said she changed, but I don't see it. She's still so...well. I don't know how to describe it. "

Debbie's gaze turned distant, her thoughts drifting into the realm of uncertainty. "She's just Lou. Smiling, making jokes. Pretending like everything's fine."

"She said she wants to be a part of my life again."

Tammy's eyes widened, surprise evident on her face. "Well... What did you tell her ?"

"I don't know. She wanted me to spend a day with her. So we could talk. Like an idiot, I said yes. I've never been able to refuse her anything when she looks at me in the eyes so..."

Debbie turned away from Tammy's gaze, averting her eyes to the floor

Tammy's eyebrows furrowed, and she stood up.

"What ???? You agreed ?"

"Yes I did. Oh, god, what am I going to do."

"I can see it in your eyes, Debbie," Tammy said softly, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. "You may not want to admit it, but there's a flicker of excitement there.I am wrong ?"

Debbie's lips formed a faint smile, a mixture of reluctance and acknowledgment. She glanced back at Tammy, her eyes searching for reassurance.

"I guess... maybe there's a part of me that's excited," Debbie confessed.

Tammy squeezed Debbie's shoulder gently, offering a comforting presence, and with a soft chuckled she affirmed. "You are killing me"

Debbie took a deep breath, gathering her resolve.

"But Debbie, are you sure about this? Spending a whole day with Lou?"

Debbie sighed, her gaze fixed on her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I know it may not make much sense to you, it doesn't to me so ... but I feel like I owe it to 30 years old Debbie who would have done anything for answers. "

Tammy shifted uncomfortably, her concern palpable. "I get it, Debbie. I really do. But what if it only makes things worse?"

Debbie looked up, meeting Tammy's eyes. " If I don't face it, She will continue to haunt me."

Tammy's shoulders slumped, her worry evident in her voice. "I just don't understand. Last week you weren't able to pronounce her name, you were ragging when we talked about her, and today you want to spend a day with her?"

Debbie reached out, placing a comforting hand on Tammy's arm. " This day with Lou, it's not about rekindling what we had or hoping for a fairy tale ending. It's about closure. I need to do this for myself."

Tammy sighed, reluctantly accepting Debbie's decision. "You know I always loved Lou. But I telling you. YOU are nuts. And YOU drive me crazy. I can't pretend I'm happy about it, Debbie. Seeing you hurt again is the last thing I want. I'm twenty-five, and I feel like I'm your mother. You're lucky, I'm here for you. I was seventeen when you met Lou, I was twenty when you guys broke up, and seven years later here I am again..."

Debbie gave Tammy a grateful smile. "You know you're my best friend, right ?"

"Don't give me that look !"

Debbie smiled before hugging her. "Believe me. I don't understand myself, either."

Tammy nodded, her worry still etched on her face. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself, Debbie..."

Debbie squeezed Tammy's hand. "I promise, Tammy. I won't let myself get lost. I'll take care of myself."

"Yeah, and don't go too easy on her."

As they sat there, the weight of their emotions hanging in the air, they knew that this decision was a risk. And that Debbie was a complete idiot. But Tammy was genuinely happy. Because Debbie just started to be herself again.

****

Lou carefully balanced a stack of boxes in her arms as she walked alongside Constance, a beaming smile adorning her face.

"Debbie agreed to see me for a day!" Lou exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

"Well that's cool!" Constance replied, a hint of joy evident in her voice. "You go girl."

Lou nodded, her steps light and brisk as they made their way through the storage room. She couldn't contain her enthusiasm as she continued, "And she is soooooo pretty and hot"

Constance chuckled, her eyes glinting with happiness for her friend. "Lou, It's no surprise coming from you."

Lou sighed dreamily, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. "Oh, she's more than just stunning. She's like a breathtaking sunset, an ethereal enchantment."

Constance grinned, genuinely pleased to see her friend so smitten. "God, stop with this love you're head over heels, Lou. You look like a fifteen years old girl"

Lou smirked. "You never saw the kid. You can't possibly understand."

Constance chuckled. "But you got to be careful, you know ?"

Lou's smile wavered slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "I know, Constance. Believe me.."

Constance placed a reassuring hand on Lou's arm, her touch offering solace amidst the whirlwind of emotions. "Just remember, you have a club to take care of."

Lou's eyes met Constance's, a glimmer of gratitude shining through.

***

For an entire week, Debbie found herself caught in the crosscurrents of longing. She yearned to see Lou, to delve into the depths of their history once more. But beneath that longing simmered a residue of hurt, a bitter residue that had taken root over time. The ache of missing Lou mingled with a tinge of disdain, as if the passage of days had fuelled a quiet resentment within her. Debbie couldn't deny the void that Lou had left behind, the hollowness that only their connection could fill. It was a maddening dichotomy—a relentless battle between the heart's yearning and the mind's defense. And so, as the days slipped away, Debbie clung to that conflicting cocktail of emotions, both missing and resenting the woman who had once held her heart.

N/A: Okay it's short but I couldn't wait to write the next chapter !!!!