“Tonya wants to move in with me!!!!” Dana interrupted. She smiled wider again & hopped on her chair. “We’re going to live together”

No sound came out from any of them. Only blank, or shocked expressions plastered over all their faces. Noone had the courage to say something so Dana decided to continue, her cheerful tone significantly changed. “Tonya was at her own house & worried sick when we were locked out. We talked a lot last night & made the decision”

“Did she suggest it?” Alice asked  without any interest for the answer. She already knew the truth. “Yes… No…” Dana tried to fulfill the question’s requirement. The waitress brought her juice, Dana kindly thanked her. She focused on the question once again. “It was a mutual choice. She has been bringing it up for some time now and after last night’s events we thought the time has come.”

Alice visually started to breath in and out heavily just to overcome her anger started to build up inside her. Dana was such an easy target to be manipulated like that. Alice’s eyes filled with tears, tears of hate and anger, she had to bit her lips just to stop herself from crying or arguing this nonsense. Tina threw a look at Alice. She tried to reason with Dana: “Sweetie, don’t you think it’s a little bit soon for such a huge step?”

“Exactly Dane. You just met the girl.” Shane spoke. “Dating her is one thing, but this means you’ll share your life, house, everything.” Dana made a fake smile, Shane continued: “I’m just saying it, I know it’s not my business. Just think about it Dane.” “Yeah baby, you don’t rush these kinds of things.” Tina held Dana’s hand by taking it from the juice glass. “Just think it through…. Do you actually ‘know’ this Tonya woman?”

Dana sighed. “I will move in with her. I like her. She cares about me, looks after me… She loves me. I think she may be the one.” Her last words were not very assuring even to herself. Alice still fought the urge to talk – or yell to be exact- somehow successfully.

“You don’t live in together with someone who ‘may be’ the one. You do it if she’s the one, Dana. I know you decided and it’s final…” Shane cut in Tina’s words and said: “Yeah Dane, we’re your friends it’s our job to take care of you. Right Alice?” Three heads turned to Alice, Alice did not return any of the looks. She started to circle the outlines of her coffee mug. “Yeah  whatver…” She was obviously sad for Dana’s news but the worst thing was she knew she could not change her mind about this. Tonya had such powers over Dana. Anything she would say or do would likely push Dana away. She would probably use a defensive tactic over Alice even on a subject as lame as this.