As I grab the Grande coffee off the counter, I can't help but think this is something Lucy should be doing. Somewhere after finishing high school and moving out here together, we've somehow completely swapped roles in each other's lives.

I'm always stressing about something perfect and complete to leave the house in, and Lucy, well, you can't get her out of a pair of sweats. I guess moving to study fashion was beginning to take a toll on her dress sense along with a few other things.

Despite living in comfortable clothing, she still has a good head for custom designing, which is why I often get her to collaborate with my other personal designer for gowns worn for award shows. Lucy knows me so well, it makes the process a little easier when messing around and coming up with something.

It also gives us quality best friend time to throw our problems around for advice and reassurance, along with binge eating our favourite takeaway foods in the process to help make us feel better about everything.

Today we're going window shopping to try and find something to give us an idea of what I want. Lucy has been throwing a few mock designs together, today is going to help shape those raw ideas even more. We're looking for a fabric colour, style of dress, something to pin on my design board to get this process rolling!

After all of this time touring around, I've begun to appreciate these moments I get to spend with Lucy shopping and just having fun. When I throw this all away, I want to be able to cling to the fun memories of strangers staring at us weirdly as we try expensive, overpriced gowns on we'll never buy.

I walk down the pathway towards Lucy's place. The morning sun shines down on me, so I use the end of the coffee cup to knock my sunnies off the top of my head and onto my face. I have to shake my head to make the glasses settle on my noise comfortably, but it feels better than being blinded by the light.

While I walk, I take small sips of coffee as I make my way over. The excitement inside of me bubbles to a new level when her building comes into view. I quickly down my lukewarm coffee and toss it in a bin, and then grab my phone to call Lucy.

My call goes straight to voice mail, but that doesn't stop me from leaving a message for her later.

"Get your lazy bum out of bed!" I shout out. A few people in the street give me a weird look, but it makes me chuckle internally.

I let myself inside her apartment building and make my way up to her floor. I pull the key out of my bag and unlock the door, then close it with my foot. The door slams shut, which slightly scares me. I also hope it's enough noise to rattle Lucy away.

"Wake up, lazy bones!" I scream out.

I head towards her bedroom and open the door. I'm met by a dark space and the low snores of a sleeping Lucy. She could honestly sleep through an explosion and still not wake the slightest bit to the ruckus.

However, light always seems to irritate any sleeping person. I walk towards her curtains and rip them apart to allow some light into this dark space.

The light quickly fills every inch of the room, and also highlights how messy this place is. There's clothing all over the floor and hanging off the end of her bed. Her desk is filled with papers which go all the way up the wall on her large pin-up board.

I'd like to believe I'm better with my organisation, but I'm probably much the same with my creative wall. It's organised to me at least. It's sectioned, colour coded and has a place, I can't say the same for Lucy's desk.

"Hello?" I call out.

"Grr." She pulls the blanket over her head and hides under.

"Late night?" I chuckle.

I put her coffee on the side table as I take a seat on the side of her bed. Slowly, I grab the blanket and tug it from her. Lucy has a tight hold, but I manage to pull it away from her face so the beautiful warm light can shine down on her. I have to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing at her face. Black maraca and eye line is smudged under her eyes, and her hair is smashed, knotted and all over the place.

"Late party night?" I ask.

Lucy presses her finger against her lips, "Shh..." she says.

"I got coffee?"

"I'm going to need more than coffee," she moans in dismay.

"You've got me and a whole heap of shopping ahead of us today," I offer.

"You're supposed to be helpful," Lucy continues to grumble.

I get off the bed and walk around the room while searching for some clothing for Lucy to wear. I find a pair of blue jeans, and a white singlet to with some text printed across it. I throw it on her head and tell her to get dressed.

"We're leaving in ten, dressed or not." I walk out of her bedroom and wait in the main living space. Her roommate Sasha is standing in the kitchen making coffee when I step out.

She's a very beautiful girl, and she definitely fits the stereotype of a fashion designer, but in a good way. She's tall, long flowing hair, beautiful light chocolate skin, and is in good physical shape. I bet she could be a fashion model with her loud personality and expressive facial expressions, but apparently she prefers the backstage atmosphere rather than the pressure of the runway. I don't blame her either.

"Hey?" she calls out.

"Hi!" I blush slightly, not realising she's in the apartment. I feel slightly bad for making so much noise.

Sasha is the first person I've probably met who openly hates The Masked Singer. The first time I met her, she asked me my thoughts on Sienna, and all I did was shrug my shoulders and say she's okay.

I then had to listen to a whole two hour rant about how she's stuck up, prissy and produces music which is destroyed and reproduced by her label. And that was just the start – crazy fan girls came later. I could agree on certain elements, like my talent going to waste, but not about her dissing the amazing people who support me – that crossed the line.

I'd hate to know what she'd say if she ever found out. I mean, the world will eventually discover the truth, and hopefully within the next coming months. But still, I'm not sure if I want to be in ear short when that happens.

"Coffee?" she asks.

"No." I shake my head, "I just picked one up from Starbucks before, but thank you."

"Did you know The Masked Singer has touched down in the city? It's freaky to think you could walk past her and not even know it." Sasha shivers, "I wonder if I ever have sometimes."

"That's super freaky!" I agree.

"So, what are you and Lucy shopping for today?" she ask.

Sasha and Lucy had met on orientation for their course, and hit it off like a lightbulb. I believe they were talking about living arrangements when they decided they should move in together because it was better than a complete stranger. This way, they could also help each other with studies and whatnot.

I kindly, okay, begged, Ava to help find a decent apartment for Lucy and her friend and this was the place she got. A two bedroom place which isn't too far from campus and a decent price as well.

Of course, I think Ava persuaded the owner to get them the place – whatever she did, it worked. Ava is amazing at getting people to do what she needs, which is good because it often means she's helping me out. I like to think we help each other out.

"Just window shopping for an event I'm attending," I explain.

"I saw some of the designs Lucy is playing around, and, wow. Where are you going?" She cocks her head to the side and eyes me off with her bright green eyes.

"My father got invited to a function, some kind of charity ball, I guess." I shrug my shoulders to make myself seem cool, "It's the whole family kind of event, and I want to wear something nice, but cost effective too," I explain.

"Fair enough." She shrugs her shoulders, "If you need help for a future event, I'm always open for designing that stuff too." She winks.

"Heck, I'd wear a ball dress everyday if I could." I laugh.

"So would I," she mutters.

"Thank you for the offer, Sasha, I'll keep it in mind."

"I'm sure your father's law firm might have another fancy party," she replies.

"Yeah, my mother might need a new dress, or something."

"I'm ready!" Lucy announces as she walks out her bedroom. She's tied her hair to the top of her head and pressed in the clothing I've provided, but with the addition of the scarf, hand bag and large sunglasses to hide her eyes.

"Good to hear." I stand up and walk over towards her.

"Let's get this done! I need colour choice and style for improving my mock designs," she says, more to herself.

"Don't forget about that cute boutique with the material we found the other day," Sasha adds.

"Oh!" Lucy's eyes light up.

She runs back into her bedroom and soon reappears with blue ink scribbled along the top of her hand.

"See you later, Sasha."

"Bye." She waves to us.

With a mission driving us, Lucy and I quickly make it out of her apartment block and onto the bustling streets. We quickly walk with the flow of the traffic as Lucy tries to get an idea of what she wants to do today.

"We're going to walk down this street, go here, there and then off to another place where I saw this cute trees." My head already hurts with this crazy instructions she's giving me.

"Just hold up, I'll call Archer for a lift." I source out my mobile phone device and start tapping away.

"Are you sure he's your bodyguard?"

"Archer loves shopping!" I dismiss her comment.

"I bet he does." Lucy laughs sarcastically.

"Grr..." I growl at her. "His job could be worse." I huff.

"If you say so," she replies cheekily.

I shake my head to her and continue to go ahead and call Archer. I give him the road and shop wear near, which leads to him replying that he'd arrive to pick us up soon.

"I can't believe you still get Archer to drive you around the place, what a slacker." Lucy hits my arm.

"I pay for the service, might as well use it while I can. Besides, you'll be thanking me when your feet don't hurt tonight from all the walking I've saved us from."

"Whatever, princess."

"You can start walking and I'll meet you there if you like." Lucy's comments quickly come to a halt when I threaten to make her walk.

"Fine," she grumbles, "the lift would be nice for a change." I beam with happiness when I hear that come out of her mouth.

"You're welcome." I giggle.

Archer promptly arrives sometime later, which makes me happy because it means we're off the sidewalk and heading in the direction of the shops.

"Have you decided where we're starting?" I ask.

"Yes, this awesome cool shop you showed me years ago." Lucy grins brightly.

"Really?" I ask in disbelief.

Lucy nods her head and continues to give Archer the name and directions of how to get to the place, and Archer starts heading there. Out of all the places we've shopped in, I'm shocked to learn we're heading to that once place, again. Out of all the places here, that shop first?

"Wouldn't it be funny if Nathan's mother was there, I heard they were in town."

"Is this payback?" I ask.

"Yes," she nods her head. "I can't believe you didn't tell me about Nathan the minute he left your place last night," she grumbles.

"How do you know about that?" I frown, that's weird.

"Because I know things, okay?"

"You're making that sound even creepier!"

Lucy shifts in her seat and avoids looking at my eyes before spitting out, "Nathan messaged me last night."

"What?" I scream with shock. "Why didn't you tell me that?"

"I don't know." She shrugs her shoulders.

"What did he say?" I ask.

"Just said he was back in town and caught up with you. He also asked how the dress making was coming along, I mentioned we're be dress shopping for more ideas," she explains.

"And that's all?"

"Pretty much." Lucy nods her head.

"What does he want?" I ask.

"Maybe he's looking to re-connect, checking your back story maybe?" she offers.

"I did mention I was visiting you while I'm here," I add.

"See, nothing to worry about."

Despite Lucy's reissuances, I sink lower in my chair and begin to throw ideas back and forth to why Nathan could be messaging Lucy, especially straight after visiting me. It's strange, intriguing, yet worrying at the same time. Nathan feels like the first person to get me in a while, I don't want to lose him again, that would break me.