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"So you’re alive" Lacey says She’s standing overin her hand and a concerned look on her face So, she’s back froroan "Barely"

I roll over, and swingrooretting not ot a crink inpropped up on a cushion aboveto tell me why you look like such ato e some blood flow back into my numb arm

"Juliet?" Her voice has real concern in it, so I look up and sigh

"I broke up with Daniel" I tell her The words feel foreign in my throat, and for a split-second, I wonder if it was all a drea to show up at the door to takeever happened?

Then theback to lory

Nope That was so not a dreaain Lacey’s ettingoff to join a cult Like I’ve completely lost my mind

" Well, technically, we’re on a break," I add, as the details slowly take shape insoapes at et up, and behind to tidy up: picking the quilt froht, and straightening up the couch cushions

I feel a tug on the quilt, so I turn Lacey yanks it away frooes up a level and I flinch "Jules, we talked about this, I can’t believe you just threw it all away!"

"Lacey," I try to stop her, but she’s on a rant here: pacing back and forth in our tiny, cluttered apartment

"Are you crazy?" Lacey demands "Did you seriously just lose youris a blip, a nothing" She snaps her fingers "But Daniel, that guy is forever" Lacey shakes her head "I don’t understand you He’s sweet, and kind, and fixes things! Remember, when our fuses all blew and he knew exactly what to do? Jesus, if I had a guy like that…" She trails off, and for a uys like that don’t pick girls likelucky you are!"

"Lacey," I frown, confused by her anger "I can’t lie to hi, apologize, it doesn’t matter, just fix it!"