Conflicted heart

Chapter 9: i'm here for you

After her passionate morning with Keira, Lucy decided to reach out to Ona, feeling that something was deeply wrong with her best friend. She sent a text message, asking Ona to meet for coffee, a gesture of concern and a desire to understand what had been bothering her.

Ona, shuddering at the thought of facing Lucy, knew she couldn't keep avoiding the inevitable. Reluctantly, she agreed to the coffee meet-up, though her heart felt heavy with the weight of her unspoken emotions.

They met at a cozy cafe, and as they sat down, Lucy couldn't hide her worry. She looked at Ona and asked gently, "Ona, you've been acting so differently lately. I can't help but be concerned. What's going on?"

Ona, struggling to keep her emotions in check, felt a lump in her throat. She knew that she couldn't reveal the true reason for her recent behavior, so she concocted a lie. "Lucy, it's just... I've been seeing someone, and I thought it was going well, but she turned out to be using me. It's been really hard."

Lucy's face fell at Ona's words. She couldn't stand to see her friend hurt, even though she was unaware of the real source of Ona's pain. She wrapped Ona in a bone-crushing hug, offering the comfort and support that she desperately needed.

Ona, feeling Lucy's warm embrace, couldn't deny the safety and solace she found in her arms. Her scent, her presence, it all reminded Ona of the deep bond they shared, a bond that had only grown more complex and uncharted with time.

Their coffee date continued, with Lucy trying her best to provide a listening ear and words of encouragement for Ona. As Ona wove her lie, the unspoken feelings and the growing gulf between them remained hidden beneath the surface.

Their struggles, their desires, and the ever-evolving complexities of their trio's relationships were like an intricate puzzle, with each piece representing the depths of their hearts and the tangled web of unspoken emotions.

Ona: [8:30 PM] Hey Lucy, thanks for meeting up earlier. I really appreciate your support.

Lucy: [8:35 PM] Of course, Ona. I'm always here for you. You can talk to me about anything. Is there something specific on your mind?

Ona: [8:45 PM] Yeah, there is... I just wanted to say I'm sorry for how I've been acting lately. I didn't want to worry you. It's just been a tough time.

Lucy: [8:50 PM] You don't need to apologize, Ona. I've been really worried about you, and I just want to understand what's been going on. You can be honest with me.

Ona: [9:00 PM] It's hard to talk about, but there's been some personal stuff I've been dealing with. It's been affecting my mood, and I've been trying to work through it.

Lucy: [9:10 PM] I'm really sorry to hear that, Ona. You know you can lean on me whenever you're ready to talk. I care about you a lot.

Ona: [9:15 PM] Thank you, Lucy. I'll definitely keep that in mind. It's just going to take me some time to figure things out, you know?

Lucy: [9:20 PM] I understand, Ona. Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready to open up. You're not alone in this.

Ona: [9:30 PM] That means a lot, Lucy. I really do appreciate your understanding. I just need some time to process everything.

Lucy: [9:35 PM] I completely get it, Ona. Just remember, you're a valued part of our team and our friendship. We're all here for each other.

Ona: [9:45 PM] Thanks, Lucy. I'll try to get back to being my usual self soon. You and Keira mean the world to me.

Lucy: [9:50 PM] We feel the same way about you, Ona. Whenever you're ready, we'll be here. And if there's ever anything specific you want to talk about, don't hesitate to reach out.

Ona: [10:00 PM] Thanks, Lucy. You're a great friend. I'm really lucky to have you in my life.

Lucy: [10:05 PM] The feeling is mutual, Ona. Take care, and remember, we're in this together.

The text exchange ended with a sense of understanding and support, even if Ona was still unable to reveal the depths of her unspoken emotions. The complexities of their relationships and the pain of unrequited love remained hidden, leaving them in a state of uncertain anticipation about the future.