Annabelle hadn't wanted to burn the restaurant down initially.
In all honesty, she had been in a good mood. The food smelled great, the weather was perfect, and the boy she had met on Tinder looked like an absolute snack in all his pictures.
But t...
She felt him lean into her a bit more as he said, "Me too. He was a very good turtle."
"We didn't even get to eat his grandmother."
His arms dropped from around her. Even his face had gone completely white.
"Oh, sorry," Annabelle quickly said. "Too soon to make jokes like that. Got it."
But Luca was staring at her, his gaze running her up and down. She was in probably the worst clothing to tell someone she liked them -- tattered track pants, an old top that slipped off one of her shoulders, and the fluffiest pink socks she owned.
"Why are you here, Annabelle?" he suddenly said. "I like you being here, of course, but what brought you here?"
"Um..."
Was now her chance? Just tell him that, Hey, I think you're super cute?
Would he be hurt that she would tell him that, while he was mourning for a dead turtle?
Would it make him feel better, and remind him that he was loved?
"Well," Annabelle began. "I..."
The doorbell made a sharp ring. From the corner of her eye, Annabelle saw Luca's girlfriend, Christina, by the window. Her perfect blonde highlights. Her beautiful, toned skin. Her proper, classy dress.
Luca was already racing for the door when Annabelle suddenly took a sharp breath.
"Luca, I really like you."
He froze, his hand on the doorknob. "That's great, Annabelle. I really like you too, obviously. Otherwise, we wouldn't be friends--"
"No. I really like like you."
"...Oh."
"Yeah. Oh."
"Wait, so you really..."
Annabelle threw up her hands. "Yes. I know. The timing is terrible. I know your turtle just died but I really like you."
At that moment, Luca twisted the knob open. Christina rushed in, drawing Luca into her arms, holding him tight.
"Oh, Luca, baby," she was saying. "I'm so sorry about Scabious."
She had brought flowers. Even a small little box, which Annabelle realised was supposed to be a coffin.
Annabelle stared blankly as Luca fell into Christina's arms.
Seriously?
A turtle coffin?
How was she supposed to top that?
She wondered what was going through Luca's head as he sobbed against Christina's shoulders. He looked completely deflated and lost, his green eyes watering and his breaths weak.
Had he been shocked by her confession? Or had he known, all along, that she had feelings for him?
Had he felt anything in return? Ever?
Annabelle stared at the pair as they cradled each other.
For a moment, she felt a heavy slam of loneliness throughout her body. Giant and demanding, like a tidal wave by her heart.
Then, as Christina cradled him, a small smile found its way onto Annabelle's lips.
They looked happy.
They were happy.
And, for some reason, that made her feel happy.
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Annabelle decided to leave Luca's home and give the couple some peace and quiet to mourn over Scabious, the turtle she had never met.
She had to admit -- Candy had been right. Even though the circumstances were awful and Luca's response had left her with more questions than answers, it had felt good to say the words aloud. Even if they landed nowhere but an abyss of space and hurt, at least it was no longer churning within her.
It was out there. It was free.
Besides, Luca hadn't seemed too upset or mad. Confused, sure. Crying over his dead turtle, definitely. But she doubted he would end their entire friendship over it. Right? Right?
When she got to her apartment, though, she felt a buzz on her phone.
From Tinder.
From Luca.
And, as she read his text, she felt like her face had been slapped.
I'm sorry, Annabelle. I just don't think we can be friends.
