Chapter 4
DORM ROOM
Ceri pulled back.
CERI: What are you doing?
LILITH: I didn't think you'd mind it, to be honest.
CERI: Lilith, you can't just kiss someone.
LILITH: Oh, come off it! You didn't mind when we did it in Secondary School back in Wales.
CERI: That was a long time ago. I'm engaged now. I'm getting married in two weeks!
LILITH: Married? Seriously? My best friend, my girlfriend is getting married, and I don't even get an invitation?
BRADY PUB
Allie walked in. She didn't get very far in the door before her parents spotted her.
SAMI: Allie?
Sami and Lucas stood, walked to their daughter and hugged her.
ALLIE: Hi, guys.
SAMI: Welcome home!
LUCAS: We didn't think you were coming in until next week. It's great to see you, though.
ALLIE: Yeah. I got out early.
SAMI: That's great! Come on, you should join us. We're having brunch with Will and Sonny.
Sure enough, Will and Sonny were seated at the table.
SONNY: Hey, Allie.
Will got up and gave Allie a hug.
WILL: Good to see you, kid.
ALLIE: You too, Will.
Will, Sami, Lucas and Allie all took a seat.
SAMI: We already ordered, but what can we get you?
ALLIE: Actually, I'm not very hungry. I think I'll just have a coffee. Black.
A nearby waitress had heard this, and gave Allie a cup of coffee.
ALLIE: Thanks. Please, keep them coming.
Allie rubbed her forehead and took a long drink from her cup of coffee.
SAMI: Are you okay?
ALLIE: Yeah, I'm fine. Just a small headache. It's nothing.
LUCAS: When did you start drinking coffee?
ALLIE: At school. I had to find some way to stay awake while studying.
SONNY: How's college?
ALLIE: Really good, actually. I think I should only have one year left.
SAMI: That's great, honey!
They went on talking and Allie drank her coffee while the other four ate. Eventually, Sonny looked at his watch.
SONNY: This has been a lot of fun, but I have to go. I've got work in a little bit.
Sonny and Will kissed.
WILL: See you tonight.
SONNY: Thanks for brunch, Sami.
SAMI: Take care, Sonny.
LUCAS: I have to go, too.
SAMI: Same here. You're staying with Sydney and Ceri, right Allie?
ALLIE: Yeah.
LUCAS: Well, you know, your room is still available.
ALLIE: I'll keep that in mind, thanks.
SAMI: It's so good to see you!
Allie and Sami hugged.
ALLIE: You too, mom.
LUCAS: See you soon, honey.
ALLIE: You bet.
Allie and Lucas hugged. Then, he and Sami left.
WILL: So, what's really going on?
ALLIE: No idea what you mean.
WILL: Come on, Allie. I wasn't born yesterday.
ALLIE: There's nothing going on! Why does everybody keep asking me if I'm okay?
WILL: Because you don't seem okay. You seem upset about something. Whatever it is, it's made you not hungry. Since when are you not hungry?
ALLIE: Will, I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself.
Allie rubbed her temple and took another long drink of coffee.
WILL: Oh, it all makes sense, now.
ALLIE: What?
WILL: It should have been obvious to me. The lack of hunger, the thirst for black coffee, which I know for a fact you always drink with at least two sugars, the way you're acting a bit...off. Don't know why I didn't see it before.
ALLIE: What?
WILL: You're hungover, aren't you?