"Hey, are you okay, Erin?" asked the petite brunette woman when she realized that dark- haired woman keep staring into nothing since she first saw her 10 minutes ago.
"I'm fine, Claire. Just a little tired," said Erin, looking up at Claire with her blue-grey eyes.
"Should I get Florence?" asked Claire again with a concern look on her face.
"No, thanks. I'm fine, really. Don't bother her. She's busy this week especially with the upcoming project," said Erin. She sighed silently.
Claire excuse herself to finish her work for that day.
Since the incident with Julia, everybody from her family to her co-workers and bosses treated her differently. They act as if she's going to breakdown any moment.
That night, the night when she went out with her friends where she get to experience Julia's bad side for the first time, Florence, Abby and Erin's four best friends had come to her rescue.
Caitlin who happened to know Julia and know her history, immediately went to Rebecca and told her about Julia and what she might do to Erin that night. Before they manage to do something, Julia already took Erin home.
So, they decided to call Florence. That is how they ended up at Julia's place and saved Erin.
Florence had made police report and get restriction orders for Erin.
Now, Erin live with Florence in her two- storey house and being taking care of and protected by her like a small child.
It had been six months now since that bad incident. Erin had changed her phone number to prevent Julia from calling her.
"Hey, honey, are you done? Let's get home," said Florence, standing in front of Erin.
"Wait. I need to switch off the computer first," reply Erin.
After switching off her computer and pick up her things, she get up from her seats and following her brunette friend to the elevator.
" Wanna dine out tonight?" asked Florence while waiting for the elevator.
"No. Can we just order some pizza or something? I just want to get home," said Erin.
" Okay. Sure," said Florence while smile weakly. Since that day, Erin has change a lot. She seems uninterested in everything, distant herself from everyone and always zoning out. Florence decided that she needed to do something about it. She will confront Erin tonight about her behavior.
Later that night, after dinner, like usual, Erin will lock herself in her room. She will read something before going to sleep.
While she was reading, suddenly she heard a knock on her door.
"Come on in," said Erin.
The wooden door slowly open before Florence appear behind it. She closed the door behind her and come to sit at the end of the bed.
"Erin, I need to talk to you," said Florence. Erin gulped hearing the word 'talk'. This is it, she thinks. Of course Florence will notice her different behavior and will want to talk about it someday.
"What is it?" asked Erin, pretend not to understand. She puts down her book on the bed.
"You know, I understand what you had gone through. You were hurt, scared and broken. But, it had been six months. You can't live like this," said Florence.
"Like what? I think I live pretty normally," said Erin, acted innocently.
"You know what I mean, Erin," said Florence.
Erin sighed. She knows that she is being unsociable now, uninterested with everything and always seems lifeless.
After everything that happened with Julia, she feels like part of her being taken away. She still feels love towards Julia but at the same time, she hates her.
"Do you know that tomorrow is Raeny's birthday?" asked Florence suddenly seems to change the subject.
"Really? Oh, yeah. You are right. I forgot," said Erin suddenly remembered about the birthday.
" Well, actually she had just call me. She is having a party tomorrow night at her home and she invites us. Wanna go?" asked Florence.
"I, er, I don't know," said Erin, looking away from Florence.
"You've got to be kidding, Erin. This is your best friend birthday party. Its rude not to go," said Florence.
"Okay. Fine. We are going tomorrow night," said Erin surrender.
**************************************************
After work the next day, Erin and Florence stop by one of the nearest shopping mall to buy present for Raeny.
After taking a shower and get dress an all, Florence drive them both to Raeny's.
"I wonder whether Raeny invited someone royal," said Florence suddenly while driving.
"What do you mean?" asked Erin, turned her head to look at Florence.
"There is one black limousine behind us. I don't think people from this type of neighborhood used limousine," said Florence.
"Maybe the driver lives here?" suggest Erin.
"Probably," said Florence.
Once the reached Raeny's house, the immediately forget about the black limousine.
There are many people in Raeny's party which Florence and Erin don't even recognize.
Erin was sitting around by herself while Florence chatted with some people who she used to know.
" Hey, you've made it here," said Raeny who out of nowhere sits next to Erin. Even though it's her birthday, she's still dress in her everyday clothes. Tight jeans and yellow tee shirt.
"Yeah. Thanks for inviting me, Raeny," said Erin looking back at Raeny.
"What are you talking about? We are best friends. Besides, I really missed you. We all missed you How are you?" asked Raeny.
"Okay, I guess," said Erin . Looking at Erin for awhile, Raeny finally hugs Erin. They were hugging without saying a word.
After that, Erin met her other friends. They talked for a while before Erin excuse herself to go outside when the house started to get crowded.
Outside, she sits on one of the benches near small pond.
"Erin," said a sweet familiar voice calling her from behind.
