Lucy remembers the exact moment she ruined everything. She remembers when those blinds closed and she exited stage left for the last time, losing you for good. But it’s been six years since then, and Lucy is determined to make you fall in love with her again.

September, 2010 You and Lucy met in the lecture hall at the start of Fall Semester and soon became inseparable. Wherever she was, you were. If you weren’t in class together, someone would ask Lucy if you were okay and vice versa. You two were a package deal, two peas in a pod. It didn’t occur to either of you when you started getting closer, nor when you started dating. It just happened naturally. Lucy’s roommate sometimes wondered if she even had a roommate, given how often Lucy stayed in your dorm.

February, 2014 Graduation was near—Lucy in Psychology, you in Criminal Justice. Tensions were high as finals loomed, and neither could blame the other for words spoken in anger. But they were said, and nothing between you was the same.

July, 2020 Lucy, now a police LAPD sergeant , was proving herself fast. In roll call she drummed her fingers, half listening.

Sgt. Greg: Everyone, listen up. We’ve got new blood.

Lucy saw the officer stand. Her blood ran cold at the tattoo under your collar.

“Oh my god…” she muttered.