Loving Diane

4

Was I dreaming?

It felt like someone had knocked out the entire oxygen from my lungs

"Ella" I said almost shocked

What was she doing here?

After all these years she decided to show up now?

But why?

And where did she get my address from?

Was everything alright?

Was Lucas alright?

Looking at Ella's condition she looked horrible.
Her eyes were puffy and swollen as if she'd been crying.

She had a small suitcase in her hand

Had she come all the way from Michigan?

Now I was even more worried

"Is everything alright?" I asked, concerned

Without saying a word Ella hugged me tightly and burst out crying

For a moment I was shocked and then I wrapped my arms around her

"What's the matter Ella? Please tell me you have me worried" I said

But she didn't say a word and kept on crying

"Let's go in we'll discuss it all inside" I said softly

Ella let me go and sniffed

I let her in as she brought her suitcase with herself

I led her to the lounge as I went to the kitchen to get her a glass of water

"Here drink this you'll feel better" I said

She took the glass of water in her wobbly hands and took a small sip

I sat down besides her, "Now tell me everything"

Ella wiped away her tears, "I'm sorry Diane, I'm re- really really s-sorry"

I looked at her confused

"I don't know how you'll ever forgive me. I know you h-hate m-me" She cried

I rubbed my hand on her back in attempt to sooth her, "I don't hate Ella, I'd never hate you"

She burst out crying again, "Oh Diane! I'm such a horrible friend!"

"Please tell me wha happened. I don't get anything you're saying" I said

Ella nodded and took a deep breath trying to calm herself down

"We found out what happened that night. It wasn't your fault it never was. Alex framed you just because he was jealous of Lucas" she said

"And we blindly believed him over you. Oh God I'm such a horrible friend I should've never trusted him!" Ella cried

Everything went still around me for a while

They found out Alex had framed me?

Who told them? And what happened?

A part of me deep down hoped that Lucas was alright. I wish Alex didn't do him any wrong

"How did you guys find out?" I asked

Ella looked at me shameful, "He stole two billion dollars from Lucas's company. He tried to sign a contract with the Cromwell family to name the firm after him. But Lucas had been alert for the past two months he knew there was something off about Alex"

"And what about Lucas? Is he doing alright?" I asked, concerned

"They got into a fight last night, a few punches and all but Alex is in jail now" she said

My eyes began tearing up

All these years I tried to prove my innocence to them but they didn't believe me

"I'm sorry Diane please forgive me!" Ella begged

I hugged Ella and started crying

Years of emotions finally surfaced and spoke up

"Oh Ella I've missed you so much" I cried

Ella hugged me back, "And you have no idea how much I've missed you" she continued "Diane my life hasn't been the same without you.. there were so many memories I wanted to share with you but I didn't know how to contact you. It'd been so many years I thought you would've moved on"

"There's not been a single day where I haven't thought about you.. I've missed you so much" I said

"I also know about your daughter, I've been keeping my eyes on you" I laughed as I cried at the same time

Ella laughed, "Di she's such an adorable little thing. At first I was so depressed, I needed someone I needed a friend.. I needed you. I cried for so many days. Jacqueline was with me but you know she's never been consistent"

Jacqueline was also a friend.

To say she was close to us would be wrong.

She's always had a crush on Lucas and the reason she's been around was because she wanted to have a relationship with Lucas

"How's Lucas doing?" I asked, my voice laced with concern

Ella looked upset, "He's not doing well Di, he lost his best friend and he's guilty about everything he said to you."

"Maybe you should talk to him" Ella suggested

I held Ella hands, "I need some time I can't face him right now"

Ella smiled back softly, "So are you dating someone?"

I laughed, "I'm still single"

We stayed up all night and caught up on all the things we missed.

I gave Ella a separate room but she slept with me saying she wanted to remember those old days in college.

I missed her so much and having her back in my life meant the world to me.