"Alright, tell me everything." I say, plopping onto the stool next to my new-old best friend Eliza Dunham, also know as Miss Lonelyhearts.

"I can't believe you almost committed suicide!"

"It wasn't suicide, I just wanted to sleep…" she replies.

"Uh, yeah, sleep forever!"

Eliza and I met in kindergarten at Covington Louisiana Daycare Center. We were best friends from the moment we met to when I moved to Chicago. It's been quite a while; I almost didn't recognize her when I saw her in a diner in Greenwich, New York, just where I live! And I'm honestly not surprised that she tried to kill herself. I know, I'm horrible! But I remember how jealous she used to get of people with lots of friends or with a boyfriend. Seems like she hasn't changed a bit. I think I was the only one who really kept her in check. I was kind of her only friend.

"Miss Madeline Treehugger, I cannot stand you!"

That's me, Mattie Treehugger. And I haven't told Eliza this yet, but… I have a fiance. I'm worried she'll flip. Maybe I should just tell her.

Eliza and I are eating sundaes at the diner, the same one where we were reunited. It's right across from her apartment. Eliza seems to be daydreaming: she's staring out of the window towards the aforementioned apartment.

"Eliza?" I say.

She snaps back to reality.

"Yes?"

"Oh, oh, oh, I almost forgot!"

I wait, looking at her expectantly. It sometimes takes a while for her to gather her thoughts. But not this time… she continues her sentence almost immediately.

"Oh, dear Mattie, I wanted you to be the first one I told… I'm engaged!"

I'm taken aback by this, as I should be.

"Yes, I know! Eliza Dunham has a fiance!" she squeals.

I guess I can tell her about Dean after all.

"No… really?! What's his name? What does he look like? What does he do for a living? Is he good to you?" I demand.

"Henry, he has black hair, he's a composer and a musician… of course he's good to me!" She says this last part in a slightly irritated tone. Of course, this is probably because I ask too many questions. Always. But I can't help it. I'm rather sure that all my questions are what kept Eliza from getting depressed when we were younger. Anyway, I think now is the time to tell her about Dean.

"He sounds amazing!" I say.

"I'd love to meet him."

Eliza smiles shyly.

"He's coming over to dinner tonight. He can't wait to meet you."

I smile and nod my head.

"Eliza… there's something I need to tell you, too. Since you're my best friend and all…"

Eliza looks up, eagerly. I start to describe him: "He's tall, strong, and has brown hair and amazing hazel eyes."

Eliza stares at me, and I think I see something flicker in her eyes. But then it disappears, and she says, "What's his name?"

"Dean." I reply. "Dean Thomas."

She stands up abruptly, knocking over her chair. Several people look our way. But I'm focused on her, where the flicker has returned. She mouths a few words, which look like hazel, tall, brown, and Dean Thomas. Then she sits back down, leans in close, and whispers "You have to break up with him!" in an insistent tone. I am immediately alarmed, more so than I was when she stood up.

"Why?" I exclaim quietly.

"Because," she whispers back, "He's the Dean Thomas that assaulted me!"