A white envelope with a blue wax seal on it was shoved in Lucia and Monica's mail box, in between the other extra garbage mail. Lucia raced outside and retrieved the mail before running back inside, opening Potato Guys's letter eagerly. It read:

Dearest Lydia,

That's a real bummer about Denny. It's awful to have things always go wrong. Has he read about the problems major scientists go through? Scientists are diligent but have their fair share of problems. It narrows down their possibilities and it heightens their chance of success! Maybe he'll like hearing that.

About Jonah, I guess I can understand why he likes you. Just from reading your letters, I can tell what an amazing friend you are. You're a real gem, Lydia. Never change unless it's for the better.

Always love reading your letters.

Potato Guy

Lucia smiled brightly as she read his carefully penned words.

"Stop it," Monica muttered.

"Stop what?" Lucia asked in confusion.

"Looking like that. Being you. It's too early in the morning for your cheery attitude, so shut up because I don't wanna hear it," Monica grumbled, pouring a cup of coffee.

Lucia grinned and rested her elbows on the table, her chin in both her hands. "I got another letter from Potato Guy."

"Oh, yeah? Did he finally get a real name?"

Lucia sighed. "Well, aren't you just a little ray of sunshine?"

Monica took a big sip of her coffee. "I am so tired."

"I'm oddly refreshed," Lucia smiled.

"Why do you even still sign your letters with your mother's name?"

"Because I'm still paranoid."

—————

Two years ago.

"Why did you sign your letter with your mother's name?" Monica frowned. "Why don't you just sign your name?"

"I've never met this guy," Lucia scoffed. "For all I know, he's a crazed, murdering psychopath."

"I doubt Jonah would have given you the address of a murderer," Monica chuckled.

"He doesn't know this guy. Remember, it's Jonah's friend's friend. Jonah has never met this guy, nor does he know his name. Jonah isn't even close friends with the friend who gave him this guy's address."

"You're so paranoid."

—————

"But what I don't understand is why he doesn't give you his real name," Monica sighed.

"I don't know. Maybe he's paranoid too," Lucia shrugged. "Hey, why don't we go shopping today?"

Monica sighed and stirred her coffee. "I guess."

"Mon?" Lucia said after a moment of silence.

"Yeah?"

"I think...I think I sort of...have feelings? For Potato Guy?"

"How do you have feelings for him?"

"Well, I really like his personality. He's super sweet and just overall an awesome guy."

"You have no idea who he is."

"True," Lucia sighed. "But still."

"It doesn't make sense."

"You're just bitter about Jonah."

"He should be ejected from the group."

"You know that wouldn't be right," Lucia frowned, wrapping her arms around her friend.

"I'm so annoyed, though," Monica sighed.

"Mon, you can't be annoyed just because he doesn't see you in that way."

"I'm right in front of him."

"Guys are blind idiots who wouldn't know a good thing if it slapped them in the face," Lucia sighed.

"I know."

"Plus, Jonah's kind of stupid at times, so that alone should tell you what you're dealing with."

"I guess I should move on."

"Mhm," Lucia nodded. "But in the meantime, let's go shopping!"

Monica nodded and went to get dressed.

—————

"Do you think this color would look good on me?" Lucia asked, holding up a blue top.

"Of course. You look great in blue."

"Thanks," Lucia smiled. "There's a pink one I saw over there that would look great on you."

Monica held up the pink top and smiled. "It's sparkly."

"Like your personality," Lucia grinned.

Monica chuckled.

"You should get it."

"I guess. Where would I wear it?"

"On a date or something," Lucia shrugged.

"Yeah. As if that'll happen," Monica scoffed, browsing the clothes.

"It's super pretty and would look amazing on you."

Monica nodded and kept looking.

"So...what do you think of Denny?"

"Denny? He's cute. A little dangerous."

"Yeah?" Lucia smiled. "Anything you'd be interested in?"

"Denny? Dangerous Denny? I mean....I don't know."

"He's super sweet and personally, I think you'd be great together."

"I guess, but he's so interested in someone else. Probably. It's just my success. And don't try to set me up."

"Why would you think Denny's interested in someone else?" Lucia frowned.

"I don't know."

"He isn't...in case you were wondering."

Monica nodded. "But he doesn't pursue me...I guess I seem closed."

"Well, I don't know if he has feelings for you," Lucia lied. "I just know that he hasn't mentioned anyone."

Monica nodded again. "I wish I was more...attractive. I'm boring."

"You're beautiful," Lucia smiled. "Don't say that."

"I feel boring."

"You're the most interesting person I know."

Monica gave her best friend a look. "Sure. Whatever. Let's keep shopping. How about this?" She held up a formal plum shirt.

"It'd look pretty on you," Lucia smiled.

"You think?"

"Yeah," Lucia smiled. "Get it."

Monica nodded and they kept browsing.

"Mon...is it totally crazy to fall in love with someone you've never met? I mean, I wouldn't say that I'm exactly in love, but- but let's say I did. Would it be crazy?"

"Yes," Monica said simply. "It's like something from a Hallmark movie."

"Yeah," Lucia shrugged. "I guess so."

—————

The next day.

Monica came to the cafe, wearing her new plum top. Lucia went in with her and the two waited in line.

Denny saw his friends walk in and he prepped two of his signature lattes behind the counter.

"Hey, Denny," Lucia smiled. "I didn't know you were working today."

"Yeah. Busy day. Two lattes?"

"You know it."

Denny handed them their drinks and began to ring them up. "Hey, Monica. You look nice."

"Thanks," Monica smiled.

"Of course," Denny smiled, his dimples in full effect as he handed Lucia her card back. "Enjoy, ladies."

"Thanks," Lucia nodded, taking her card and latte.

"So, I met a guy last night," Monica grinned as they stepped away.

"Oh?" Lucia frowned.

"His name is Kyle," Monica smiled. "And he's really sweet."

Lucia turned to her suddenly. "Bring him over tonight and then get lost. I'm ordering a full interrogation."

"Why? I like him...I want to be around him."

"Exactly. He must be interrogated."

"But Lucia-"

"No exceptions," Lucia chuckled.

Monica huffed and got out her phone.

"Thank you," Lucia grinned.

Monica stepped away as Denny came over. "Who's she calling?" He asked, smiling brightly.

"She- she's um...she met a guy," Lucia stammered.

Denny frowned. "Good for her."

"Are you okay?" Lucia asked softly.

"Yep."

"Are you sure?"

Denny nodded and smiled a nice, convincing smile.

"You need a hug, don't you?"

"Not now. I'm a big boy, Luci."

"Big boys still need hugs," Lucia chuckled.

"I'm fine."

"Alright," Lucia said softly. "How about we try another experiment soon? You haven't tried one since the bouncy castle and you need to get back into it."

"I will. Later. Now, gotta bounce." Denny winked to emphasize the pun and left to keep working.

Lucia rolled her eyes and gave a sigh.

Monica ended the call as she went back over to her friend. "He'll be over by six."

"Perfect," Lucia grinned. "Anyone seen Jonah? He's disappeared again."

"Nope. Don't care," Monica said, sipping her latte.

"Oh, dear," Lucia sighed. "Well, I certainly am not going to be the one to call him."

"Ask Denny."

"He's busy working."

"He'll call after."

"No, Monica. You need to," Lucia sighed.

"Must I?" Monica whined.

"Yes."

"If you don't, I am going to sing you the entire Phantom of the Opera soundtrack from start to finish right now."

Monica sighed and dialed Jonah's number

"Hey," Jonah smiled.

"Hey," Monica muttered. "Where are you? Lucia's asking."

Lucia's jaw dropped. "Shut up," she whispered.

Monica stuck out her tongue. "Where are you?"

"Lucia asked?" Jonah questioned delightedly.

"Jonah, spit it out!" Monica demanded.

"I'm at home...learning to juggle."

"What did you break?"

"Nothing!" Jonah lied.

"Jonah, you're a wimp. Just tell us. A lamp? A chair? A picture?"

"My wrist."

"Oh. My. Gosh. You did not."

"I did," Jonah winced. "Juggling is more cutthroat than it seems."

"Do you need me to take you to get a cast?"

"Yeah. I've just been icing it but it hurts like heck whenever I make any little movement and I'm like ninety-nine percent sure it's broken."

Monica nodded and got up. "On my way." She hung up and looked at Lucia. "Luci, he broke his wrist."

"How?" Lucia frowned, sipping her coffee.

"Trying to juggle."

Lucia spit out her coffee. "No way," she laughed loudly.

"I have to go."

Lucia laughed heartily until tears ran down her cheeks. "The idiot- broke his- oh, gosh."

Monica rolled her eyes and left.

"What's so funny?" Denny frowned.

"Jonah broke his wrist while juggling," Lucia cackled.

Denny's eyebrows rose. "Really? That's terrible."

"Terribly funny."

Denny sighed. "Oh, Lucia. Come on, finish up your drink so that I can take the cup and make it look like I had a purpose for coming over here."

"What, like coming over here to talk to your best friend slash adopted big sis isn't enough of a reason?" Lucia chuckled.

"Not for my boss."

"Has Josh been giving you trouble again?" Lucia frowned, handing him her cup.

"Kinda. With my past injuries, I've had to take a lot of time off."

"Well, if you ever need me to talk to him, let me know. I suck up to him every chance I get, and now he loves me."

Denny smiled. "I'm good, but thanks."

"Alright," Lucia nodded. "When's your shift end?"

"Another thirty minutes."

"Okay, perfect," Lucia smiled. "I'll be back then and we can hang out. Sound good?"

"Sounds good, Luci," Denny smiled, walking away with her empty mug.

—————

"Hey, Mon," Jonah smiled weakly.

"Hey, Jonah. You ready to go?"

"Yeah," he winced.

Monica went and helped support his good arm to help get up off the couch, holding him as we stood. "I got you."

"Thanks," Jonah sighed. "God, I don't know how I even managed this."

"I don't either, but we'll get you fixed up. Just...why did you do this?"

"I thought if I could learn to do something cool, maybe it'd impress Lucia."

Monica smiled a little. "I mean, the thought is nice, but Lucia doesn't need to be impressed."

"You're right. She's probably too busy with Denny to even bother to look at me," Jonah muttered bitterly.

"It isn't Denny. But if she liked you, then she'd like you for you. Not only for what you can do."

"I guess you're right," Jonah sighed. "Thanks for being here, Mon."

"Of course, Jonah.

Author's Note: The pictures to follow show the three shirts Lucia and Monica looked at.