As soon as she arrived home, Lucy ran straight upstairs to the room she shared with her sister. "Susan! I'm home!" she cried, bursting through the door.

Susan wheeled around, smiling. "Yes, I can see that," she laughed as Lucy hugged her tightly. "Where are your things? I'm nearly done unpacking, so I can help you if you'd like."

"The bags are downstairs. They boys said they'd bring them. Oh Susan, wait until you hear what happened while we were away."

Susan frowned. She sat on the bed and pulled Lucy down next to her. "It was that awful, was it? I'm so sorry, Lu. I wish you could have come with me and mom and dad."

Lucy shook her head. "It wasn't awful at all!" she said. "Well, it was at first. Eustace was a real pain. But then—"

"Eustace! Did he really come back with you?" Susan sighed. "Why did you have to invite him? He is always such a bother."

"No, Susan, he's different now," Lucy said. She leaned in close to her sister. "Edmund and I went to Narnia, and Eustace came with us," she whispered.

Susan's head snapped back quickly. "What did you say?"

Lucy couldn't contain herself any longer. "We went to Narnia, Susan! Edmund and Eustace and I." Lucy began to bounce up and down in excitement. "It was so wonderful. We saw Caspian, and Reepicheep, and we sailed on this big beautiful ship. And the adventures we had! I had to do a magic spell, and Eustace turned into a dragon!"

"Lucy, please," Susan said quietly. She had begun to turn a little pale.

Caught up in her story, Lucy did not notice and continued on. "We sailed right up until the edge of the world! There was a sea monster, and we discovered all sorts of islands—"

"Lucy! Stop!" Susan shouted. Lucy jumped and looked at her sister with wide eyes. Susan looked equally as shocked, but quickly shook herself. "Stop all this nonsense, Lucy. Aren't you getting a bit old for all of this?"

"I—I don't understand."

"I can't believe you, making up stories like that. And you haven't even asked me about my trip at all."

"But I'm not making this up."

"I said that's enough, Lucy!" Susan shouted again. Just then, there was a knock on the bedroom door. "What's going on in there?" The door opened and Edmund's head popped inside. "Are you two having an argument?" There was a moment of silence as Edmund looked between the two girls. Then, Susan put her hand on her hip and stood up taller.

"No, we're not having an argument," she said. "Not that it is any of your business."

"Well, you don't have to be rude about it. I was just announcing that we're having supper in a few minutes." Edmund looked at Lucy and frowned. "What's the matter with you?"

Lucy bit her lip and willed herself not to cry. Shaking her head, she quickly left the room. Edmund watched her leave and then turned back to Susan. "What's going on?"

"I said it's none of your business."

"You were fighting, weren't you?"

"Just go away, Edmund!"

"What was it about?"

"Please just shut up!"

"I'll keep asking until you tell me."

"Ugh!" Susan got up, pushed Edmund out, and shut the door firmly behind him. Closing her eyes, she leaned against the door. One small tear slid down her cheek. It's just not fair, she thought.


A/N: It's funny how stories write themselves. This isn't at all where I thought it was going to go, but I guess I'm along for the ride as much as anyone else. I hope you're all enjoying.