The next day, I rang Dana and told her that I would be able to come to hers after all. She seemed delighted, and I smiled as I hung up the phone.

I went out to get the DVD from the rental place. I chose one of Dana’s favorites, Pearl Harbor. We comfort each other during the sad moments and we both enjoy a good soppy love story.

I returned home to pick out my outfit for the evening. Even though we would just be sitting around her condo, I wanted to look nice. After trying on several outfits and discarding them in disgust I decided on some dark denim jeans and a patterned shirt. I whistled to myself as I brushed my hair. I was so happy that I would be spending an evening with Dana, just me and her, like old times.

I paused as I got to Dana’s door to pull at my shirt and to brush my fingers through my hair. I then knocked on the door and tried to calm down. I told myself that this would be just like the old times, with the same Dana and that things would start getting better again.

The door opened and I smiled, ready to greet Dana. But it was not Dana who was facing me, it was Lara. The smile drifted off of my face. “Hi Lara. I didn’t know you were gonna be here, you watching the movie with us?” I asked, willing the answer to be no.

“No, not tonight, you two have fun” Lara did not say this cheerily, and with that she hurried past me out of the door, leaving me standing there, mouth wide open. I was surprised by Lara’s quick exit, but also pleased, I could now enjoy a fun, Lara-free evening with my best friend.

I walked through the doorway into the living room, where I found Dana sitting on the couch, staring straight ahead with a frown on her face.

“Hey Dane, you alright?” I asked her. She didn’t look very happy.

Dana

“O hi Al!” I had been thinking so hard about what had just happened that I didn’t notice that Alice had come in. Lara had just stormed out after we had an argument. She was unhappy with me because apparently I have been distancing myself from her, she says I always seem to be distracted when I am with her. I had to admit it was true, I did quite often go into my own world when I was thinking about Alice, and this, quite rightly, frustrated Lara. I couldn’t help it though, I do like her but I just can’t focus on anything other than Alice, even when I’m with Lara. I know it hurts her but I can’t stop myself doing it. I decided to try and put it out of my mind and enjoy my evening with Alice, I could think about Lara later. I smiled to try and show her that I was ok. “Yeah I’m fine you?”