world we created, paul lahote

Chapter 02

Lucia held the nail pinched between her fingers as she gently hammered into the wall, swiftly removing them once she was done. She eyed it for a moment before retrieving the picture of her mother and herself a few years back, and hanging it up. A warmth filled her chest as she stepped back, admiring the photo.

It had been the morning of her fourteenth birthday and she'd insisted on helping bake her birthday cake. However, that didn't seem to turn out too well as she distracted her mother and nearly burned it. The pout on her lips in the photo made her laugh as her mouth scolded her with a thinly veiled smile. Her aunt June had been the one to capture it, teasing her days after on her flopped birthday cake.

Turning away from the picture, she gasped in surprise as Bella suddenly appeared before her. When did she get here?

"Goodness, Bella," Lucia sighed, her hand instinctively finding its way to her heart. Her tone carried a hint of awkwardness as she spoke. "You scared me."

Bella spoke softly, her words monotonous. "A... a friend of mine and I are going to the movies if you'd like to tag along. Charlie said the company would do us both good."

"Oh." Lucia's eyebrows raised in surprise as she stared dumbfounded at the sudden invitation. Bella had been statue-like just yesterday and now she was moving about? Charlie must've said something, that much was clear. "That, erm, that sounds nice. I'd like that, yeah."

A heavy silence filled the room as Bella awkwardly stood there. Lucia gestured awkwardly to her wardrobe, letting an uncomfortable smile grace her lips. "Let me grab my coat."

After grabbing her coat and purse, Lucia met Bella at the older girl's truck before setting out towards the movie theatre. The drive to the movies was silent eave for Lucia's failed attempts at breaking the ice. Each question was met with resistance that caused the tension to grow thicker and thicker.

However, one thing that puzzled the Barone girl was how Bella seemed to have become so lifeless over a guy. Lucia had experienced her fair share of heartbreak. It didn't make sense to her that it would render Bella in such a state. Then again, everyone coped differently. Some wore their emotions on their sleeve while others retreated into a shell of indifference.

They pulled into a parking space near the theatre, the engine coming to a halt. Climbing out of the truck, Lucia and Bella made their way towards a girl standing near the entrance, her hands tucked in her pockets. Bella greeted her with a slight twinge of warmth in her voice. "Hey, Jessica."

"Hey, Bella. Who's this?" Jessica asked curiously, her eyes falling upon Lucia.

Bella quickly stepped in to introduce Lucia. "This is my cousin, Lucia, she just moved here."

Lucia, feeling a bit awkward, chimed in, "You can call me Luce or Lucy, either is fine."

A smile graced Jessica's face as she extended her hand in greeting. "It's nice to meet you, Lucy."

As the introductions settled, the conversation shifted towards the movie they were about to watch. Jessica's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "So, what movie are we watching?"

"The Dead Come Back," Bella stated matter-of-factly. Her response was met with scrunched noses from both Jessica and Lucia.

"Why?" Lucia couldn't help but ask, her curiosity piqued.

Bella simply shrugged. With tickets in hand, they proceeded to enter the theatre, ready to immerse themselves in the world of the undead. As they settled into their seats, the darkness of the theatre enveloped them. The glow of the screen illuminated their faces, casting flickering shadows in the dimly lit room.