THE DEADLY SEVEN

Potential

Lucy;

Cars and buses whizzed past us, we stood under the small green shelter, waiting for Josh to pick us up. The tall buildings blocked the late afternoon sun. Josh's fancy car pulls up alongside us. Luc moves foward, opening the door for me. His small gestures melted my heart. This whole thing was unconventional, so hard for someone like me to grasp. I slid across the cream leather seat, waiting for the guys to put the luggage in the boot. My excitement grew, I was mere moments away from being reunited with my Claudia. My smile reached my eyes for the first time today. I was so happy to be seeing my dearest friend.

Josh pulled up outside an apartment complex in the middle of the bustling city. My eyes almost popped when he told us to make our way to the 15th floor! We would be able to see everything from up there.

Running ahead, I beamed at the elevator attendant " 15th floor please." Flashing him a toothy grin. Luc caught up behind me, luggage in tow. He nodded slightly at the uniformed man, sliding in next to me.

His protective arm resting across my shoulders. Tilting my head up, I gave Luc a beeming smile, to my surprise he returned his own heart stopping grin. He leaned his lips to my ear " your smile makes me feel so much joy Lucy." His voice was so soft I almost didn't hear. My cheeks flushed pink. He never ceased to amaze me. This was all moving so quickly.

Claudia's body smashed into mine with force. Grabbing me tight, she swung me around squealing. " Lu, I have missed you, I have missed you so much." She enthused.

Leaning in close, holding me tight " who is that fine man?" She whispered.

I turned to face luc, my face beaming with happiness. I held on to his hand dragging him foward " Claudia, this is Luc, Luc, this is Claudia. You remember your hens party. Luc is the guy I met at the counter. I guess things went from there"

Claudia's eyes sparkled. " Sooooo, this is a thing? He asked your parents and they agreed? I have to know everything Lucy!" Claudia exaggerated.

" Come on honey, let's get them inside and settled before you bombard them!" Josh's calm voice came from behind us. " Ooops, how rude of me, come on in, let me show you our home." Claudia grabbed my hand, dragging me through the grey door at the end of the corridor.

The tour of her apartment was short. It was modest, bright and open plan. Claudia had decorated it beautifully. Frames lined the walls, with pictures of home. My heart panged at the thought of home. Would they know I was gone? Were they looking?

Claudia and I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, while Luc and Josh sat in front of the television.

Lucy leaned across the counter wiggling her eyebrows. " So tell me, how has this worked. How did you get here, What is going on Lu."

Tears fell as I told Claudia everything that had happened. Claudia circled around the bench grabbing me in a hug. She said nothing, she just hugged me. My sobs slowed, I began to slowly regain my composure. " But was there actual steam?" Claudia's question took me by surprise. I stood looking at her, dumbfounded. Her lips turned upwards and we both burst out laughing. " I didn't hang around to see" I spat out between laughs. If anyone was going to turn a tense moment around it was going to be Claudia.

Luc;

Josh smiled as the giggling from the kitchen whirrled around the loungeroom. " I don't think there is much cooking going on in there." He directed towards me, chuckling. Josh was a nice guy, I think Lucy's friend was a lucky girl. The short amount of time I had been talking to him l, it was abundantly clear how much he cared for Claudia, he would do anything for that woman. I felt a little pang of guilt. Lucy really did deserve someone who would give her the world, I know I am not that guy. I need to stick to the plan though. Feelings aren't apart of that.

" Let's put us out of our misery shall we, I will take us out for dinner. If we leave those two, then we won't ever eat." Josh gestured for us to move into the kitchen.

I watched as Josh wrapped his arms around Claudia's waist. She reached up, on her tippy toes to place a lingering kiss on his lips. Noticing a slight shift to my side I glanced at Lucy, she was shuffling from foot to foot, did her friends intimacy make her uncomfortable? How innocent was this girl!

" Ohhhhh yess." Claudia enthused, pulling me from my thoughts. " Josh will take us out for dinner!" Claudia jumped up and down in excitement.

" Oh" Lucy looked at the ground, embarrassment spread across her face.

Lucy opened her mouth to talk before I cut her off " We would love that I interjected. I knew she had no money, I knew she was to proud to let them offer her a place to stay and free meals.

My gosh she had been easy to mould.

We walked out behind the happy couple, I whispered into her ear " I got you Lucy, don't worry about anything."

With her safety net firmly in place she relaxed, letting us all enjoy a meal while catching up. I found it really easy to get along with this couple. Claudia was so young and carefree, she just had such effortless beauty. She truly was remarkable, I can see why Lucy liked her so much. Josh was more mature out of the pair. He was a couple years older and 2 years into his medical degree. To keep up with Claudia's needs, he volunteered at the local night time clinic. The waitress came and asked if we would like desert. " No, I thi.." Josh began

" Absoltuely!" Claudia shot Josh a side glance. Then relaxed back putting a hand on his arm.

Interesting, I thought to myself. I will have to keep an eye on Claudia. She has potential.