“I know, stop talking,” the voice says.It’s soft and sweet and I want to eat it.
“I failed.Why did I let Ignatius convince me?She hates me, Lex,” I say.
“She doesn’t hate you.”I swear it’s Lex who says that, but the voice’s owner has long hair and red streaks.
Lucy has red streaks.
This isn’t real.
Lex just had hers freshly braided.
“I’m tired,” I say.
Someone is taking my clothes off.I’m in my sports bra and boxers.The bath is running.
“I’m naked.”I giggle like it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever said.
“Is she drunk?”That’s Bastien.His voice is deeper than everyone else’s and coming from outside the room.
“I don’t think so,” Lex says.
Yes.That was definitely Lex.
I come to suddenly.There’s two women in the bathroom with me.Shit gets real really fucking quick.
I suck in a breath and scramble back, only to realise I’m on the toilet and the cold press of ceramic stings my flesh.
But it’s what I need, it grounds me.
I glance from Lex to Lucy and back again.Once.Twice.Three times.
She’s still stood there.
“Bastien?”I say.
“Yes?”He doesn’t come in, probably trying to salvage whatever is left of my dignity.
“Is this real?”
“Yeah, Midnight.”
“What did you give me to eat last night?”
“Chicken and avo bagel?”
Okay, this is real, he did do that.
“Bas?”
“Yeeesss?”he drawls the word as if he’s rather bored of this conversation.
“Is Lucy standing in the bathroom?”
Lucy’s face crumples, pity seeping into the lines.Her eyes softening.
“Yeah, boo.She escaped.”
“So… so this is real?You’re really here?”I ask, rubbing my eyes.
