A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed or sent along a message!
Peter noticed that something was going on during the meal that night. Susan, who was normally the quietest one, chattered on about their trip to America, hardly letting anyone else talk. Lucy, on the other hand, barely spoke a word. In addition to all this, Eustace was so well-behaved and had such good manners that it was a little unnerving. Every other time Eustace had stayed with them, he would spend each meal complaining about being forced to eat meat and would go on long lectures about farming and economics.
When the meal was finished, Eustace and Lucy (being the two youngest) were left to clear up. Susan announced that she had friends in America to write to and went to her bedroom, acting very important. Peter used the opportunity to pull Edmund aside. They went into the parlor and shut the door.
"What's going on with Lucy and Susan? They aren't acting like themselves."
"I don't know," Edmund responded. "I think they had some kind of row. I kept badgering Susan, but she wouldn't tell me anything about it."
"Did you say anything to her about Narnia?"
"No, I figured that Lucy would do it." Edmund gave a low whistle. "You don't suppose that that's what has gotten them upset, do you?"
Peter shrugged. "Why would they have an argument about that?"
"Who knows why girls do anything?" said Edmund.
"I suppose I should go and talk to her," said Peter.
"Suit yourself," Edmund said, and headed back to the kitchen. Peter went upstairs, thinking about Edmund's comment. Peter had never considered himself an expert on girls, or a great judgment of character. That was always Edmund's department. And usually Edmund was right about these things. He just could not imagine why talking about Narnia would cause a problem between his sisters. If anything, Narnia had always brought them all closer together. He stopped and listened at the door to the girls' bedroom, but could not hear anything. "Su?" he said, and knocked softly on the door.
"Come in," she called out.
Peter pushed the door open and went inside. Susan was sitting at her desk, writing. She did not turn around. Peter cleared his throat and then took a few more steps inside. "Am I interrupting?"
"No, don't be silly," she said. "I'm just writing a few letters."
"We didn't really get a chance to talk since we've all been back," Peter said.
"I know!" Susan turned around. "Peter, it's such a pity you didn't get to come to America. It was absolutely amazing."
"Yes, I heard all about it at dinner," Peter said with a sly smile.
Susan gave him a look. "Very funny. How is the Professor? Did you get much studying done?"
"He is exactly the same. I did some studying, but I'm not sure if it was enough."
"Oh Peter," Susan sighed. "You're always worried about your marks, and you always receive tops in your class. I don't know why you even bother." There was a moment of silence before she said, "Was that all?"
"No." Peter folded his arms. "I'd like to know what is going on between you and Lucy."
Susan's face remained even. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. Neither of you were speaking to the other during supper. I could tell something was going on, and Edmund agrees with me." Susan did not answer. "Did she tell you that they went to Narnia?" Peter asked.
Susan gave a short laugh. "So you heard the story as well?"
"Is that what all this is about?"
Susan stood. "Don't tell me you actually believe her. We were told we'd never be returning to Narnia."
"Yes, Susan, we were told that. Not Lucy or Edmund. Do you remember what happened the last time we didn't believe Lucy?"
Susan ignored his comment. Her cheeks started to turn slightly pink, and she said in a high-pitched voice, "You honestly think Eustace would get to go? Before us?"
Peter shrugged. "I don't know why Eustace went. But we already knew that we weren't the only humans to ever go to Narnia. We just have to trust that Aslan—"
"Aslan," Susan said in a bitter tone. She swallowed and looked Peter in the eye. Slowly, she said, "I don't believe it. I can't. They didn't go."
Peter looked at her incredulously. "Susan…" He reached out his arm, trying to think of what to say, but Susan turned and plopped back down on her chair. Without another word, she turned her back on him and took up her pen. "Susan, you can't just pretend that it never happened." When she still would not speak, he sighed and left.
When he got back downstairs, the others were still in the kitchen. Lucy and Eustace were cleaning dishes while Edmund sat on a stool with his feet propped up on the window ledge, laughing about something.
"You know, Edmund, you're not a king here," said Eustace in a huff. He wiped beads of sweat from his eyes. "You could lend a hand."
"Buck up, Eustace," said Edmund. "You're doing great!" He saw Peter enter and quickly sat up straight. "How did it go?"
"Not well at all," Peter said. "Susan is being impossible." He noticed Lucy stiffen when he said Susan's name.
"So I suppose you know all about what she said?" Lucy asked without turning around.
"Not exactly," Peter answered. "I don't think she believes you, though."
"Which means," Edmund said, "she doesn't believe us, either." Edmund shook his head. "Since when does she act so rotten?"
"Ed," Peter said softly.
"We shouldn't talk about Susan like this," said Lucy. "I'm sure she has her reasons for being upset. Perhaps she'll come around."
Eustace, who had been watching the exchange, wrinkled his brow. "I don't understand any of this. Do you think that if I told her that Lucy is right, she'd believe her?"
Edmund and Peter exchanged glances. Without a word, Peter knew that Edmund understood his thoughts perfectly: Eustace, however good intentioned, would just rub salt in the wound. "That's all right, Eustace," said Edmund. "We'll think of something."
