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IT TOOK LUCY A MOMENT to process the sight before her; and in that split-second, it was as though her heart had stilled. She blinked, not trusting her vision, but the image didn't change. There was Leah – sitting before her, still smiling her soft grin, eyes a storm of pent emotion.
The shock slowly wearing off, the teenager was partially convinced she was dreaming. She knew the Clearwater's isolation wouldn't last forever, but after so many days of worrying about them, and missing them, it had felt like a lifetime had passed. And seeing the very person she had missed so dearly was almost surreal.
Leah, now amused at the speechless state of her friend, spoke again. "Because I've heard some things."
Her words fully shattered the final fragments of shock encompassing the girl, and with a loud exhale – one brimming with intense, bone-deep relief – Lucy hurried to her friend. An elated grin unconsciously tugged on her lips and her eyes crinkled as she crashed into the older girl, pulling her into a tight embrace. Leah didn't hesitate to fold her arms around the junior, and Lucy was overjoyed.
Until this moment, she hadn't realised just how much she had missed Leah Clearwater. It was a testament to the impact the older girl had in her life – a testament to how strongly Lucy adored her, and how easily they fit together. It still amazed Lucy that in such a short period of time, Leah had become a crucial component in her life.
"I've missed you so much." Lucy breathed, squeezing her tighter.
"I know." Leah mumbled in response, a soft laugh escaping her. "I have as well."
The pair held on to each other for a few more moments, before slowly pulling away. Lucy was quick to closely inspect her friend, the concern previously building within her bursting into life, and seeping through every pore. She noticed almost immediately that physically, the older girl had changed. Her hair was shorter; resting midway down her neck, her jaw was more defined, angular, and her cheekbones were prominent. And even without standing, Lucy knew she would be taller, physique more toned than before.
But the most worrying change was the permanent furrow in her brows – the guarded look in her eyes that had never been so defined.
"How are you?" Lucy practically demanded, pulling her desk chair to sit on, completely focused on her friend.
Leah sighed, and it was dripping with weariness. Her mouth settled into a straight line, looking almost haunted as she contemplated her answer. Lucy knew the past week was flickering through her mind; her expression becoming more and more plagued as the moments passed. She shuffled closer in concern.
"Things are different now." The older girl's tone was heavy; resigned. "And I can't do anything about it."
