Protecting Sunshine

2. A Walk

Angela has loved Lucy since they were assigned to be roommates their first year of university. Living with the First Daughter helped her understand how Lucy thinks, which is why she knew Lucy was struggling. "Tell me what's wrong," she insisted and took a sip of coffee while sitting at the kitchen island in Lucy's condo.

"I just forgot how it is. You remember our freshman year. Everyone couldn't stop staring or taking pictures of me, and it was annoying. By the time we graduated, everyone on campus was used to me. The attention died down, and things were as normal as they can get."

"But, we're on a new campus, and people haven't gotten used to going to class with the President's daughter?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I'm sitting in the back of the class with Talia and Aaron. I'm not raising my hand too often. I'm trying not to wave away at phones in my face, but it's all so EXHAUSTING."

"You know what you need? To get LAID."

"Ang, I'm a member of the First Family. Even if I wanted to have a one night stand, that is absolutely impossible. With my luck, it'll make national news, and my mom will fly over here, kill me, and then pardon herself for my murder."

"Then, we'll get you a boyfriend. You deserve to be happy how Wes and I are. Maybe we can set you up with a nice guy from one of our classes. A future lawyer could be good for you."

"I don't know."

"See, that's the problem. You've spent most of your life being ordered around, so you don't know what you want. Maybe you'll finally figure out what you want out of life away from your mom's shadow."

"Oh, I know what I want: to get to class on time, so I need to go," Lucy set down her coffee mug and picked up her bag to leave.

"See you later," Angela said and watched her friend exit while she continued to enjoy her drink. "I'm totally getting her a boyfriend," she whispered and smiled at herself.

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The long lecture was enough to bore Lucy and make her eager to get some more coffee in her system. She waited in line at a café even after everyone in front of her offered to allow her to order before them, and as she was waiting for her chai tea latte to be created, Lucy saw Tim enter the café.

He looked even prettier in the light of day than in the dim bar she first saw him at a week prior, and she considered going up to him, but he had a serious frown on his face and seemed to be avoiding her. Lucy looked to her left and saw Aaron, and she totally understood- people in suits that follow you around is a big deterrent.

Trying not to be upset that a hot guy was definitely not interested, she turned back to the counter and watched as a barista finished her drink. Suddenly, a stranger approached her and started asking her questions about her mother's presidency.

Aaron began to pull Lucy out of the café, abandoning her latte, then Tim was right there in the strange man's face like he magically moved to the opposite side of the room in an instant; he did not say a word and only gave the other man a withering stare before picking up Lucy's drink from the counter and following her out.

"Are you okay?" Tim asked and held out her coffee.

"Yeah. It happens all the time," she wiped some hair out of her face and accepted the drink. "Thank you."

"Just because it happens all the time, it doesn't mean it's okay."

She shrugged. "I've gotten used to it. Thanks for another rescue." Lucy smiled up at him and watched as his scowl melted into a more neutral expression.