Double Date

The nerves in Lana's belly were nerves of excitement, not actual fear or apprehension. She was looking forward to a night out with Xyrus and his friends. It was a little strange to be getting ready for a date. Despite her anxiousness to see Xy, she couldn’t help but think back to the last time she’d agreed to hang out with his friends. The bruise on her face had faded and the one on her ribs was turning an ugly yellow, but it was all still fresh in her mind.

Unlike last time, she felt safe with Xyrus. She didn’t feel quite as vulnerable. Danny seemed to have vanished, which she hoped meant he would stay gone for a while. She didn’t want to leave her life behind. She liked it in Taguig and felt like it was the city for her. She’d made friends and had really gotten into the way of life here.

In the mirror, she could see the packed suitcase sitting by the door. No matter how comfortable she felt, that feeling of always having one foot out the door was never too far away. She stepped