03-13-2025, 11:54 AM
Rachel found herself staring at the Sanctuary of the Ascendant Flame. She didn't know what interested her so much about the building. She wasn't religious and had no desire to become religious. It was interesting though - getting to see the birth of a new religion even if it was odd that they worshiped the . Rachel's thoughts drifted off until Emily asked if she was okay.
Internally, Rachel began to panic. She had to be normal around Emily. Emily knew her well and would be able to tell if something was off. Rachel told Emily was fine, but Rachel also knew her sister well. Emily wasn't buying it. She needed to get her back on track.
Rachel sighed. "It's just the break up, Emily. I'll be okay. I just need to process," Rachel knew it was true that she needed to process it, but she hardly ever thought about it. Lucio drew all her attention.
Emily seemed to buy it for now. "You've been working on your thesis a lot. How's that coming?"
Rachel smiled. "It's coming along just fine. Making a lot of progress," Rachel told her, glad to change the subject.
"Don't forget to take time for you too. That's healthy," Emily said, touching Rachel's hand. "I know you've been struggling with the break up, but don't forget I'm always here for you. So is Mara and Jared. We all love you."
So it wasn't a subject change. Emily was reading her too well. She couldn't know about Lucio. That was important. He would get upset if they found out. Rachel didn't show her panic on her face, disguising it with sadness. Even with Lucio, the situation with Cruz still hurt. She had a chance to deal with that now, but she couldn't find the words.
"I won't forget," Rachel said. "And thank you. I just need..." Rachel started to cry.
Emily was at her side in a moment, holding her tight in a hug. Rachel hugged back. She loved Emily so much and knew Emily just wanted to help. Confusion entered her because a hug from Emily should have helped, but it was nothing like the hugs from Lucio. She didn't even know if she could tell Lucio she was still hurting from the break up. He might see it wrong. He might get angry and she didn't want that. She couldn't handle that.
Internally, Rachel began to panic. She had to be normal around Emily. Emily knew her well and would be able to tell if something was off. Rachel told Emily was fine, but Rachel also knew her sister well. Emily wasn't buying it. She needed to get her back on track.
Rachel sighed. "It's just the break up, Emily. I'll be okay. I just need to process," Rachel knew it was true that she needed to process it, but she hardly ever thought about it. Lucio drew all her attention.
Emily seemed to buy it for now. "You've been working on your thesis a lot. How's that coming?"
Rachel smiled. "It's coming along just fine. Making a lot of progress," Rachel told her, glad to change the subject.
"Don't forget to take time for you too. That's healthy," Emily said, touching Rachel's hand. "I know you've been struggling with the break up, but don't forget I'm always here for you. So is Mara and Jared. We all love you."
So it wasn't a subject change. Emily was reading her too well. She couldn't know about Lucio. That was important. He would get upset if they found out. Rachel didn't show her panic on her face, disguising it with sadness. Even with Lucio, the situation with Cruz still hurt. She had a chance to deal with that now, but she couldn't find the words.
"I won't forget," Rachel said. "And thank you. I just need..." Rachel started to cry.
Emily was at her side in a moment, holding her tight in a hug. Rachel hugged back. She loved Emily so much and knew Emily just wanted to help. Confusion entered her because a hug from Emily should have helped, but it was nothing like the hugs from Lucio. She didn't even know if she could tell Lucio she was still hurting from the break up. He might see it wrong. He might get angry and she didn't want that. She couldn't handle that.