The sun gently filtered through the windows of the familiar little restaurant. Miria was already seated, distractedly sipping an apple juice. Her eyes stared into space, but her mind seemed elsewhere.
When Marlie walked through the door, her face lit up. She walked quickly over to her, and they embraced warmly, like two sisters happy to be reunited.
"You arrived early," Marlie said, sitting down. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Miria replied, giving her a smile that she had plastered on a bit too quickly.
Marlie frowned.
"Are you sure? You've been acting strange these last few days. You've been avoiding everyone, and then... you go live with a "friend of your mother's" without telling anyone? Do you think that's normal?"
Miria sighed deeply, took a sip of her juice, then replied in a tone that seemed to be controlled:
"It's just... I asked Mom about my father. We rarely talk about him, and now... I needed answers. But she refused, as usual. And that upset me a little."
She paused, her eyes lowered.
"And with Isabella and Ray... it's not easy either. They're not helping me stay calm."
Marlie seemed to take the words in one by one, chewing them with difficulty.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you had so much on your mind. If there's anything I can do, you know, you can count on me."
Miria shook her head gently.
"Don't worry. I've got everything under control."
Marlie shrugged.
—Okay, if you say so… but as for Isabella and Ray, like I told you before: that's in the past. They were together, yes, but it's over. Stop worrying about it.
A thought then popped up… "I'm saying that, but I'm not sure myself what I'm saying."
"What???!" cried Miria, her eyes wide.
Marlie jumped.
"What?? What?
"You... you said something?" asked Miria, thrown.
"Uh... no."
Miria stared at her intensely. Then, a flood of thoughts hit her.
"What the hell is wrong with her? It's getting worrisome. And why is she staring at me like that?"
Miria looked away and composed herself. She understood now. What she'd heard... it wasn't said aloud. It was in Marlie's head.
"Sorry," she breathed. "I think I'm just a little overwhelmed. But it'll be okay."
Marlie gave her a small smile.
"Good."
"Phew, I hope there's nothing more."
Miria smiled, her heart still reeling.
"So, tell me. What's new?"
"Nothing major," Marlie shrugged.
"Apart from Klaus almost raping Isabella because of his obsession with her, no... there's nothing."
Miria's eyes widened at that.