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“What…? How…? Lizzy, how are you?” Rory rushed to hug her tight. The relief that she felt completely overwhelmed her.
“I’m okay. I guess,” she replied meekly, not sounding anything like the chirpy Lizzy that made her way to the bookshop every morning. “I got your message, Rory, and once Mickey kicked me out, I had nowhere to go. I didn’t know anyone in LA, so I… so I came here.” Lizzy tried not to break into tears. “I hope your mother doesn’t mind. She didn't look very pleased to let me in.”
“Don’t mind her. She’s just stressed with the wedding and all that,” Rory lied, clearly knowing that her mother had probably judged the hell out of Lizzy. “The important thing is that you’re okay and that you’re here. I came to LA to find you, Lizzy, and that’s all I wanted to do. To make sure that you’re safe.” Rory smiled, but Lizzy didn’t.
“I am stupid, aren’t I, Rory? I should’ve just listened to you and not let my stupid little head do the thinking.”
“Don’t say that, Lizzy, you are not stupid,” Rory said.
“I am, Rory. I fell for a guy who’s a jerk. I fell for his words and his promises and left everything behind for him. This guy used me and once he was bored, he threw me away. What else am I if not a fool?” A single tear slid down her cheeks and Rory quickly wiped it away.
“Lizzy, my darling, we all make mistakes. I have too and so has everyone else. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
“But why do I make the worst mistakes? Why do I do things even when people who care about me warn me against them?” Tears were streaming down her face.
Rory wanted to ask her what happened, what Mickey had done, but she thought it best to avoid that for now as Lizzy seemed to be in a very fragile state of mind.
“Lizzy, the important thing is that you are here now, safe, unharmed, and before long we’ll be back in Montcove where we can continue our lives as if none of this ever happened.”
Lizzy broke down again.
“What will I ever tell my mom? How will I ever face everyone else back home?” As the realization dawned upon her, Lizzy was falling apart. “I’ve lost everything, Rory.”
Rory gently patted her head and held her close.
“You’ve lost nothing, Lizzy. You have me and I am sure that your mother will forgive you. You should have seen how worried she was. I think that she’ll be very grateful that you’re back. Besides, I don’t think many people back home even know that you’re here in LA.”
Lizzy wiped away her tears and sat in contemplation, looking down at the floor.
“You really think so, Rory?”
“I know so, Liz. Everyone cares about you a lot—most of all, your mother. The fact that you’re safe will be more than enough for her. In ten years, we’ll all look back on this silly thing and laugh.”
A slight smile came upon Lizzy’s face. Rory knew that she’d have to help Lizzy get over all of this and leave this mess behind.
“Let’s get you cleaned up, Lizzy. My mother will have a fit if she sees you walking around dressed like this,” Rory laughed.
She took Lizzy up to her bedroom and gave her some clothes to wear. She decided to draw a bath for Lizzy, but then stopped as she didn’t want Lizzy lying in a tub full of water and doing something stupid. She can take a shower, she decided. Lizzy did take a long shower, as if trying to wash all the filth of this city and the memories of the last few days off of her.
“You were right, Rory,” Lizzy said as she stepped out of the bathroom. “LA is not that great. I mean, I had always wanted to come here and go to places where celebrities hang out, walk down Sunset Boulevard and go to all the clubs, but honestly, it's not all that fantastic.”
Rory was glad that Lizzy had come to this realization. If nothing else, then at least this incident would make her more mature.
“Let this wedding be over. Just one more day to go and we’ll be back in Montcove. There’s nothing in this plastic city for you or for me. We’re happy where we belong.” Rory smiled at her friend.
“What would I ever do without you, Rory? You really are the big sister I never had.” Tears welled up in Lizzy’s eyes and Rory hugged her, touched by the warmth in her words.
“You’ll do fine without me. You’re a very intelligent girl and from here on, I am sure lots of good things will happen to you.”
“You have always been so sweet to me and what did I do to you in return…” Lizzy left the sentence half-finished. “I’ll be better, Rory. I promise. I will make this up to you. I owe you big for being there for me.”
“Lizzy, you don’t owe me anything. That is what friends… that is what sisters do for each other. We stand by each other and we stay together,” Rory said gently.
“Aww. You’re going to make me cry again.” Lizzy embraced her once more.
“What a mutual appreciation society we’ve got going. Let’s quickly head downstairs and get something to eat. I’m famished and I am sure so are you. If we’re late, then my mother won’t serve anything to us.”
Lunch was a rather qu
