What We Owe To Each Other (Loubbie)

Chapter 1

Just wanted to say that Loubbie are my babies 💕💕

"What do you think of this one?"

"Oh, no, babe. I heard from the girls at the club that he has a wife now."

"That's not a deal breaker though-"

"Debbie, no."

"But I want him!"

Debbie pouted as she crossed her arms, sulking like a three year old. Lou sighed, already irritated.

"Deb, the whole reason you invited me here was to stop you from making irrationally bad decisions."

"Well, that was a mistake. I'm clearly capable of making my own bad decisions."

"Debbie, you have to trust me on this one."

Lou massaged her temples, vexed. Debbie had invited her over for a casual dinner, promising her her favourite Chinese takeout. When Lou had arrived on the premises, instead of egg rolls, there was a huge stack of papers. Debbie sat silently at the table. Lou approached her slowly, feeling rather scared.

"...Debs?"

Debbie didn't respond, so Lou tried again.

"Debbie?"

Still no response, and Lou was worried. She reached her hand out towards Debbie.

"Deb-"

Debbie's hand closed over her wrist. Lou growled, looking at Debbie's smug face.

"That was not funny, Deborah."

"It was to me, Louise."

Debbie let out a snicker before she realised her hand was still on Lou's wrist.

"What do you want, Debbie? And where's the Chinese?"

Lou groaned as she came to a realization. She had fallen for Debbie's con... Again.

"The Chinese is coming... After you help me. If you attempt to escape, I will ply you with Thai food for the rest of your life."

"You monster!"

Lou gasped. She should have known. Stupid, stupid Lou. She groaned.

"What do you need, Ocean?" She grunted, annoyed.

"And will you let go of my wrist already?"

Debbie huffed, releasing Lou from her grasp. Lou gave a harsh breath, rubbing her wrist.

"Sorry."

Debbie did not look the least bit sorry.

"What the hell did you learn in the slammer?"

Lou groaned.

"I really need a warning if you're going to be a white female Bruce Lee."

Debbie simply smirked.

"Oh, that's it. I am leaving."

Lou huffed, walking towards the exit. Debbie didn't chase after her, or even speak. Of course, they both knew Lou was bluffing. She could never refuse Debbie, not after 5 years, and certainly not ever. Also, she really loved Chinese food.

"Even if you knew it was a bluff, you couldn't even try to stop me? Real cold, Ocean,"

Lou complained as she strode back to the table. She immediately plopped on a chair, crossing her legs and lit a cigarette, ignoring Debbie's disapproving stare.

"Loosen up, Ocean... I have a feeling that sitting through your mission briefing might require me to be somewhat buzzed. In fact.... Do you have any vodka?"

If Lou hadn't been so buzzed, she would've been speechless.

"That's what you need my help with? To weed out a fucking date to make your dickbag ex jealous?"

"Okay, yes, but he put me in PRISON, Lou! Five years I could've been out here stealing from people, living life, even, I don't know, falling in love? He took it away from me, Lou,"

Debbie let out a small sob.

"You don't think I regret getting involved with him after you told me not to? You think in the past 5 years I didn't think, I should've listened to Lou at least 10 times a day? And you never even came to visit,"

Debbie sniffled.

"I was supposed to visit? You dumped me for him!"

Lou huffed. In truth, she had wanted to visit so many times. Each time she had managed to stop herself. Only to fall into Debbie's arms the moment she left that jail.

"But you've always helped me."

Lou had. No matter that spending time around Debbie, smelling her flowery perfume, ripped open her fragile wounds that she left buried beneath the surface. The longing, the heartbreak, and the tears that consumed her anew everytime she saw Debbie smile... That smile... She never wanted to see it disappear.

"Debbie-"

"Lou-"

"I'll help you."