VULNERABILITY

Julia

When Julia invited me to lunch a day ago, I automatically typed no. Then I stopped before I hit send and instead put: I'll think about it.

Now I'm at our towns cafe with Devin nonchalantly sitting 3 tables away with a menu in front of his face. He's babysitting me- again.

I check the time and am not surprised to see that Julia is late. Julia would be late to her own wedding I swear.

It isn't a second later that the door jingles and in comes Julia in a hoodie and jean shorts.

"Sorry I'm late, I was... preoccupied with... something," she admits sheepishly while putting her purse down.

"You're okay," I respond awkwardly.

It's hard to talk her normally. Last time we spoke she was trying to convince me to submit to Weston. She didn't take my side when I needed her the most. It hurts the more I look back on it. I feel like I have no one. I have Weston... kind of. Weston is just complicated. With everyone else, the betrayal still feels fresh.

"So how are you feeling? The whole town is talking about how Weston came and saved the day at the mall."

I feel my heart speed up as I recount the events that happened a week ago. The blood and the snarls are tattooed in my mind. My nights are still filled with tossing and turning and of course, coffee.

"I'm good," I lie.

I'm not good. Every time I see Weston I can't help but remember how ferocious he was. His eyes turned from amber to a deep brown- almost black. His clothes were so full of Daniel's blood I'm surprised Daniel is still alive. I'm not okay, and Julia can tell. She calls me on my bullshit right away.

"Poppy," she meets my eyes, "you can talk to me. I'm still your best friend."

"Things have changed. Everything isn't how it use to be with you or even with my family," I sigh.

"I'm still the girl that helped you escape," she says softly as if I was about to break.

"You're still the girl that told me to essentially suck it up and give into Weston."

She pauses and sucks in a breath before nodding.

"You're right, I am. Poppy, I was trying to look out for you," Julia says with exasperation.

Before I can respond, our food is brought out by Mrs. Maggie. She's an older woman who has ran this cafe for what seems like centuries. Her eyes are kind and her smile is wide no matter what day it is.

"Here you go, ladies. Enjoy!"

We thank her and accept the wet kisses she places on our cheeks.

For a couple minutes Julia and I eat in silence. We catch each other's stares but quickly look away until finally Julia breaks the silence.

"Poppy, I'm sorry. Everything I said was insensitive to your situation and I realize that now. I just want my best friend back."

Julia looks drained by the time she's done talking. I find myself giving in with a small smile. I've been forgiving a lot of people lately.

"You're going to be on my side from now on?" I ask with my eyebrows raised.

"Yes, of course."

And with that I give in.

"Welcome back to our friendship," is all I get out before I am engulfed in a tight hug.

"I've missed you so much," Julia says with a squeak.