"Hey dear,can I come in"mother said entering into my room as I was about leaving for work.

   "I got something for you"she said then she brought out a sewing machine she was hiding behind her.

   "Mum"i said surprised as I collected the sewing machine from her.

    "You didn't have to,mum"i said, concerned about how much things we still needed money for. Then mum sat down next to me on the bed.

   "You deserve it dear,your last sewing machine got spoilt already and I realized I should give you something for a change,you work so hard everyday and you never get anything for yourself"she said "you are a very talented designer Anna"she added.

   "Thanks alot mum"i said then she pulled me into a hug"

   "I love you so much my sweetheart"she smiled

"I love you too mum,I should get going to work now".

    "I wonder why you still work at that restaurant,they don't deserve you"mum said as she was about going out of the room and I just smiled because this wasn't the first time she had complained about how much work I was doing and the restaurant and how I deserve to have been the next Versace,Klein or Armani.

    I noticed lucy hadn't been her self all through today's shift at work and I was wondering why she wasn't even talking so much too.

   "It's break,let's go an eat"i said to lucy as she just stayed at a corner by herself.

   "You should go without me"she said and that was so unusual of her.

   "I insist,bills on me"i smiled as I dragged her with me.

   "I watched slowly as lucy ate and she seemed less interested in what she was eating and the silence was getting unbearable until I decided to end it.

    "What's going on,you know you can talk to me"i said concerned.

   "I am fine"she said and that response really wasn't convincing enough so I just had to do something.

   "It's dave"she said as she removed the shade she had been wearing all day. Then I finally understood what had been going on. Dave and lucy had known each other all their lives and no matter what happened and how many times he hits her,she never leaves.

   Lucy got pregnant when she was 15 and even though she had never expected it. Having a baby had put a lot on hold in her life. She moved in with her baby daddy because she wanted her baby girl to grow up with a family and not a single parent like how she had grown up with just her mother.  She works so hard at the restaurant everyday to save up for college and take care of her family.

  "He hit you again"i said angrily "that good for nothing"i added

   "He did"she said has she wiped the tear that dropped on her face. Lucy was such a strong girl,trying to be strong for everyone around her but this relationship was breaking her and the sad thing was that she knew but she was just too scared to let go.

    "You need to leave him,you deserve so much more and you can't continue to let him make you suffer like this"i said as I held on to her hand from where I was sitting. She has always been there for me and everyday I wished I could give as much as she has given me.

     "Cara"she said sadly "she is only five,I don't want her to grow up the same way I did"she added.

   "I am sure she wouldn't want to see you get hurt everyday also"i said.

   "I heard fashion school is accepting applications already"

   "I know what you're trying to do"i said realizing she wanted to change the topic.

    "I will be fine,let's talk about how you are going to be be the next fashion icon"she said smiling.

    "I will apply I said smiling

"You should get mark to write a recommendation letter for you"

   "I don't want my success to be based on the fact that I know a claire. I am going to do this and i am sure i will get in."I said confidently.

     "I trust you anyways"lucy said smiling

We walked back to work and continued our day as usual. I realized late that I had a dinner date with Mark and I was running late already.

   I picked up a cab to get to were I was supposed to meet Mark and Mark had always preferred dinner at restaurants were no one would be able to recognize him and say anything.

   "I am sorry I came late"i said . "I had to go home to change my outfit"i added

    "It's alright,you look beautiful by the way"he smiled helping me with my sit.

    "I missed you"i said looking into those beautiful eyes of his that made me melt every time he was near. And the sensation I feel in my stomach every time he was near. Even though it wasn't our first date I still always felt butterflies in my stomach every time I was near him.

    "I heard fashion school are now accepting applications"he said as we continued eating.

    "Yeah,I think I am going to try it out this year"i said.

   "You're very talented,I have seen some of your designs and I am very sure you're getting in"he said with a smile on his face.

   "I could write a letter of recommendation though"he added.

    "You really shouldn't"i said looking up from my food.

   "But I want to"he said

"I can handle myself,trust me"i said

    "I will be here if you need me though,you know I love you"he said placing his hands on mine.

     "My boss told me we are going to be in charge of claire's anniversary,extra time to see you"i said smiling.

   "I don't want you serving or anything,I don't like where you work"

   "I love my job you know,at least it pays some bills"i said

    "Come work for me,be an intern at claire's.you shouldn't be wasting such talent in a restaurant"

   "I will be fine"i reassured. I really didn't know why I didn't want to work for Mark,I loved being around him and I would love to intern in such a place,it was one of the greatest place to learn as a fashion designer.

      We finished dinner and I wished we didn't have to go our separate ways. I wished I could be with him all night,he was my everything and more. He insisted on driving me home even though I had told him he didn't have to.

    "Good night love"he said before giving me a good night kiss. "I love you"i said. "I love you more"he replied. Why couldn't love not be so complicated I thought as I went inside the house,why couldn't we just be with people we loved without barriers.it's always so sad when we meet the right person at the wrong time.