Lily's POV

It's been two weeks since the break-up, and I have barely left my room.

During the first three days, Finn tried calling, messaging, when he got no replies he tried coming over but he dealt with Kam and Jen, I just couldn't bring myself to see him. Now it's just been radio silence, like he's also deliberating the next steps for us.

Thing is, I'm not just angry at Finn for lying, but myself and this delusion of an Epic Love.

I can't help but wonder, did I place our relationship on an unrealistic pedestal? Was I simply being dramatic in my pursuit of something perfect? Did I blow things way out of proportion? I know he lied but was it enough for me to break up with him?

The days blend into one another and the girls have tried to coax me out, suggesting coffee, movies, anything to distract me, but I'd rather stay at home with my thoughts.

The sound of a slight knocking draws me out of my thoughts, "Come in"

Kam enters holding a plastic take away cup and sits at the edge of the bed.

"Here," she says handing me the cup and I take a sip, savouring the familiar sweet warmth of the caramel latte.

"Thanks" I mumble.

"Babe, you can't hide forever," she said gently, concern etched in her eyes taking a sit beside me on the bed.

"No ... but I can try" I mumble again sipping more of my coffee.

Her words cut through my fog. "Now, why don't you tell me what's really on your mind"

I lifted my lips from the cup, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion, "What do you mean"

"She means ..." another voice cuts through, and it's Jen entering the room to take a sit beside us on the bed. "It's not just about lies, there's more to it. Perhaps, you were looking for an out in the relationship."

"Jen," I sigh. "That's not true."

"Okay ..." she leans in, her eyes piercing through my defences. "Then what if your subconscious preconception of your Epic Love is what made you blow up things way out of proportion more than they were and now you are questioning whether you really should have broken up with him"

I furrow my brow, "Bitch..." I mutter under my breath making her to smile.

She hit the mark, and I hate that.

Is it possible that my expectations, my dreams of what love should be, have tainted my reality? Have I been chasing an ideal, a fantasy, and in doing so, sabotaged the real thing?

"Taken the words right out of my mouth," Kam says pulling me out of my thoughts, "though more eloquently, is that the English Literature major in you?" she teases, trying to lighten the mood causing us all to laugh.

The brief moment of laughter is a welcome break from the tension.

Kam's laugh fades as she looks at me seriously. "It's okay to have high expectations, but maybe separate reality from your delusions."

Jen nods. "Yeah, sometimes we get so wrapped up in the fairy tale that we forget real love can be messy and imperfect. And that's okay."

"Though, that doesn't excuse his lies and trust me, I am not playing devil's advocate" She frowns.

"Yeah, that shit for brains, has got to come up with a reasonable excuse for his lies and the whole Rachel debacle," Kam adds, shaking her head in disbelief causing me to let out a light laugh but that doesn't last long.

I sigh, feeling the familiar frustration bubbling up again. "I know. I just... What do I do now?"

Kam places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You've let out your anger, but now you need to talk to him"

"But at your own time, when you're ready." Jen adds giving me a reassuring smile.

"And ... you need to ask yourself if your love for him is strong enough to forgive him." Kam concludes, giving my knee a reassuring squeeze.

Jen nods in agreement. "Exactly."

"Now" Kam starts getting up from the bed walking towards the door "Come on, let's leave this room, some sunshine won't hurt" she laughs lightly.

"True! Let's go the shopping, I need a new outfit. Kai's taking me out on a date next week, and I need your expertise in deciding what I should wear." Jen smiles getting up from the bed joining Kam at the door.

I hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. A trip to the mall was a small step, but it felt like a monumental effort. Jen and Kam exchanged relieved smiles as I grabbed my jacket, and we headed out.

During my personal chaos Jen and Kai started dating. Watching them together has been a comforting distraction. He drives her to her book clubs, she waits for him after his practices, and they often head out for dinner, when they're not cuddled up on the couch. Though I wonder if Kai can match Jennie's freak.

****

The mall was bustling with people, the noise and activity a sharp contrast to the quiet, suffocating solitude of my room. As we wandered through the stores, Jen and Kam chatted animatedly, occasionally pulling me into the conversation.

Jen held up a dress against herself, striking a playful pose and winking. "What do you think? Too much?"

I smiled faintly, handing her a pair of nude heels. "It's perfect, just pair it with these."

Her eyes lit up with excitement as she grinned and handed the items to the cashier. "See? I knew you'd be the perfect shopping buddy."

"So what ... am I chopped liver?" Kam teased pretending to pout.

Jen laughed, her face glowing with amusement. "Of course not, Kam! You're essential for comic relief."

Kam smirked, crossing her arms. "Glad to know I'm inspiring your shopping habits."

The cashier handed Jen her items, to which she gave a small 'thank you,' her face glowing with satisfaction.

"Alright, all this shopping has got me tired," Jen sighed dramatically, stretching her arms as we walked out of the shop.

"Ever so dramatic," Kam laughed, rolling her eyes. "How does Kai cope?"

"He copes very well," Jen retorted, sticking her tongue out at Kam playfully. "I'm starved. Let's head to Café L'oreal!"

Kam and I both nodded eagerly. Just then, the sharp trill of my phone sounded. I fished it out of my bag and glanced at the screen—it was Joanne.

My heart skipped a beat as I wondered why she was calling. I gave her my number months ago, when I went over to Finn's house, and she was giving me a tour of the house. Her brother is a partner in one of the biggest law firms in England and she offered to pass my details over to him so I could get an internship.

I stop walking for a second my mind racing and wondering why she's calling, is Finn okay?

Kam and Jen stop walking for a second and look back at me, but I brush it off and smile.

"I need to take this," I say, "Catch you at Café L'oreal, get my usual please" I smile, and they nod before leaving me.

"Lily, how are you?" she beams over the line. "I'm not sure if Finn's told you, but Rhidian and I are getting married in a week. We haven't seen your RSVP."

"Oh," I respond, taken aback.

I don't think Finn has mentioned our breakup to his family yet, and I don't really want to be the one to break the news. But it's better to say something now than to lie.

"Erm, Joanne," I say, taking a deep breath, "Finn and I... are going through a rough patch." Not wanting to go into details of the break-up, it's best to leave it vague.

There's silence on the other end of the line for a moment. "Oh Lily, sorry," she replies, her voice full of empathy. "But I'd still like you to come to the wedding. If you don't mind, my brother will be there so I can formally introduce you two."

"I would have to think about it," I reply, feeling conflicted. "I hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all, darling," she says gently. "Just let me know."

"I will," I say. "Talk soon."

"Lily," she starts before I could hang up, her voice softening even more, "whatever happened between you two, I want you to know that Finn loves you deeply. It's evident in the way he talks and looks at you." She says, "Whatever it is, I'm sure he's sorry" she finishes before hanging up.

I feel my stomach tie in knots and the tears prick at my eyes. I stand there for a moment, grappling with my emotions, I need space to think, and being in the same city as Finn doesn't help.

With that, I walk over to Café L'oreal , the comforting aroma of coffee and pastries greeting me along with the soft hum of conversations and the clinking of cups. I spot Jen and Kam seated by the window.

"Here" Kam says, pushing a latte towards me. "Is everything okay?"

I force a smile, taking a sip. "Sorry about that. It was Joanne."

"As in Finn's dad's fiancée?" Jen asks.

I nod. "She invited me to her wedding next week."

"Wow," Jen says, her eyes wide. "Did she know about you and Finn?"

"She does now," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. "Her brother's going to be there, and she wants to introduce us. He could give me an internship at his law firm."

Kam's eyebrows shoot up ."Are you going to go?"

I sigh, "going to the wedding feels wrong. Like I'd be pretending everything is fine when it's not." I take another sip of my coffee, the warmth doing little to ease the tension.

"I think I'm going to head home tonight for the weekend" I say, causing Kam and Jen to look at me sympathetically. "I just need to clear my head"

"A change of scenery is just what you need" Jen smiles and Kam nods in agreement while taking a bite out of her chocolate swirl cake.

As we finish our coffee and cake, the conversation shifts to lighter topics. Jen starts sharing her hilarious attempts to convince Kai to cosplay and act out her wild sexual fantasies. She even describes a weird sex position she saw on BuzzFeed, causing all of us to burst into laughter.

"You wouldn't believe his face when I showed him the BuzzFeed article," Jen says between giggles. "He turned so red, I thought he'd explode!"

Kam nearly chokes on her cake, laughing. "Oh my God, Jen, you're relentless!"

I join in the laughter, feeling a sense of normalcy wash over me.