When Does the Pretending End?

Lucy’s Pov

“I can’t believe you cleaned the whole apartment today” Elena says to me as I dust the coffee table. “Everywhere but Tina’s room” I say. I hadn’t been in her room since the day after she got arrested. I’m just glad she will be using it again.

“She’s nuts” Elena says to Cris who was sitting with one leg crossed on his other on the couch. “I know but I still think she’s cute” he says pulling me onto his lap. “What else do have to do?” I mutter pulling out of Cris’ grasp. “What you need to do is sit down and relax” he says. “Cristiano is right” Elena says. “I’m sure Josh didn’t give you the day off so you clean” she says.

“No Josh gave me the day off so I wouldn’t stress and bite everyone at work heads off” I say. “He’ll be back soon” she says. “You know if I had gone and collected Tina and didn’t phone all day. He’d be yelling at me for a week” I say. Jezz I hadn’t heard a word from Josh all day. I don’t even know if Tina is stilling coming home.

What if things have changed?

“Elena just leave her. It’s keeping her mind busy” Cris says. I smile knowing he’d have a different idea of what I could do to keep busy. “I can’t beileve you are helping her though” Elena says sitting next to Cris. He shrugs. “Someone has to make sure she doesn’t hurt herself lifting something heavy. You know how stubborn she can be” he says. “I am not stubborn and stop trying to annoy me on purpose” I say swating his head with the duster. “But annoying you is one of my many talents” he grins. “Oh shut up” I say laughing and blushing.

“Oh sometimes yer cuteness is annoying” Elena sicks making a sick face. “Ya well I’m not going to see much of her in the next few days so you won’t have to deal with it for a while” Cris sighs. “Which is why I’m glad you came here to spend your afternoon with me” I say. “You really are going to wait a bit before telling Tina about you two?” Elena asks. “Don’t start” Cris says to me. “Josh agrees we should wait too” he says. “Well sometimes Josh isn’t always right” I say. “And you are?” he asks. “Of course” I say kissing him as he stands in front of me.

As much as I am looking forward to spending time with Tina. I am going to miss spending all my free time with Cris.

“What time is it?” I ask. “Ten minutes since you last asked” he says. “Relax. She’ll be happy to see you” he says wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’m going to head” Cris says kissing my forehead and moving away to get his jacket. “They’ll be here soon and I have to get a few things at the shops before I head home” he says. He grabs his keys and nods a goodbye to Elena.

“Call me later ok” I say to him. “Leave it till tomorrow morning. Spend time with your friend” he says reaching the door.

I tug his arm so he’s looking at me. “Call me later. I want my goodnight” I say. “Don’t miss me too much” he smirks. There's my Cris I think.

He kisses me. “Mmm now that I will denifely miss tonight” I say and he laughs. “At least you are admiting on your own free will now that you like me kissing you” he says. “Hey” I say wrapping my arms around his neck. “No matter how Tina reacts. You and me won’t change” I say. I know he is worried that Tina won’t like it and she’ll make me choose between them. “Talk to you later” he says moving through the door.
“Oh Cris” I say and he turns to look back at me. “I have your jersey to help with the pain of missing you. Just in case you needed the image” I say smirking as I close the door.

“Is he ok?” Elena asks when I walk back in. “Ya. Think he’s just going to miss spending so much time with me” I say. “So will you” she says. “Ya I will. It’s so werid. I’ve never been the girl who misses the guy the minute the leave the room” I say. “But you do when Cris leaves. Oh hunny that is so cute” she says. “Oh shut up” I laugh.

“I’m glad you listened to me about giving him a chance” she says. “When did you say that?” I ask. “The night he came here after Josh found out about your agranement” she says. “A lot has changed since then” I say. “Ya. If I remember you said hell no about sleeping with him” she grins. “Well that has diffenetialy changed” I say and we both laugh.

“What are ye two laughing about?” a voice says and I turn around to see Tina standing by the door. “Tina” I shout and run to her. “Hi” she says wiping tears from her eyes as we break our hug. “Hi” I say doing the same. “Oh my God I think this is the quietess I have ever seen you two together” Elena quips. “Give them time. Before we know it they won’t shut up. Enjoy the peace” Josh says coming into the room.

“Very funny. Has anyone told you two that you should be comedians” Tina says. “I’m so glad to have you home” I say. “It’s good to see you Tina” Elena says and they hug.

I stare at my friend. I can’t believe after all this time she’s finally home. “This is weird” Tina says and we all look at her. “Been here after everything I put you all through” she says. “It’s all in the past Tina. We are looking to the future” Josh says.

“Hello anyone going to give me prasie for getting here before I said we would” he says. “Nope” his sister smirks to him. “Wow someone was busy cleaning here today” Tina says and drops her bag on the table and moves to sit on the couch. “I was bored” I say.

“So how are you?” I ask sitting next to her. “Glad to be home” she says. “I’m glad too” I say. “So enough about me. I’m so sick of talking about me” she laughs. “What have you all been doing?” she asks. “This and that” Elena says smiling at me. “Bet you can’t wait to be in your own bed again” I ask. “Make sure you phone dad” Josh says and she rolls her eyes at him. “I just want to get back to normal” she says. “We will” I say.

“Well how about you make us all a cup of tea so” she grins. “Why am always the one who has to be hostess” I say standing up and walking to the kitchen. “That’s because you enjoy it” she says. Well that’s one thing that is back to normal. Tina been bossy I think as I smile filling the kettle.

“Hey it’s just me I forgot my phone” a voice shouts and the chatter stops coming from Tina and the others. “Oh” Cris says when he sees us all. “What are you doing here?” Tina asks shocked at seen him standing in her living room. “Lucy I’m sorry. I didn’t think they’d be back yet. I’m going to go” he says turning towards the door. “Wait” I shout to him.

Here goes nothing.

“Cristiano this is my best friend and roommate Tina” I say grabbing Cris’s hand. “Tina this is my boyfriend Cristiano” I say and watch as Tina thinks about what she has just been told.