She goes to Rhode Island for ringing bells and the wedding of a friend from M.I.T.
It's Lucas "Snapper" Carr and beautiful Bethany Lee. She calls her Lissie and asks her if she's still in Manhattan. Her dress is white and full, fabric and pearls bunched at her hip. Faint jealousy and nostalgia covers her eyes.
"No. No, I'm in Starling City now..."
Beautiful Bethany Lee grabs her hands and they exchange years. Lace gloves carve patterns on her hands.
...
The reception is dancing and smiles, throwing embarrassing vignettes and fond memories across the floor. She dances her feet sore and stretches her lips wide. A little flower girl spins her into a fit of giggles and they throw petals up up up into the night.
...
Felicity goes back to Manhattan. The city is steel and concrete and Edward Raymond. They have lunch and dinner together for her week there.
His eyes are a storm of articles and ink and words. At one point he grabs her hand, and she grabs his back. She is nineteen and smitten all over again. Fifteen years older with little to none experience more than her, he kisses her Thursday at a quarter to four.
Ed Raymond leaves ink smudges on her crisp pink blouse.
She leaves love marks and lipstick across his face and down his neck.
...
She gets a month with him through phone calls and letters (he's old fashioned) before it ends in splintered wood and fire.
Felicity gets the call at night, while guiding an archer through traffic laced streets.
She skips work and loses Ed Raymond for a second time.
...
Oliver breaks her door down right before Roy finds her spare key under a rock.
The carpet is littered with empty wine bottles. She's sleeping sprawled over the kitchen counter.
She rustles awake to a touch from Roy. Half naked, lace peeking from a half buttoned shirt, and one sock donned on she's to grief stricken to blush.
Ash holding her heart, she wails. "It doesn't smell like him! I can't find him here! I can't, I can't..."
Roy gathers her in his arms because she reaches for him. Oliver goes to fix her door.
...
The sky melts orange into pink. Felicity melts blond into brown. She gets rid of it, tries to go back. Dyeing her back is the closest she gets.
His funeral is a small box of dust and Ronnie hides in her embrace because he only has two people and old photographs left. His grandfather takes them to an old diner and orders for them. The food tastes like cardboard and wallows down her throat.
...
It's one thing to forget, but to move on is another matter completely. Felicity has never been to good at either.
She speaks less, draws in. The staring stops and Oliver doesn't know what to do.
Laurel does. So does Roy.
Roy takes a tub of ice cream and two spoons down to the park. He makes her sit down next to him and lets the night buzz and flicker. A canopy of dark and fluorescent lights sing. It makes it easier for her to fall asleep.
He carries her back home.
Laurel plays with her hair. Braids it, ties it, curls it. Her fingers draw Felicity into a sense of calm she always seems to lose a grasp on. She thinks this must be what it feels like to have siblings.
...
John takes her to a shooting range. She is unexpectedly good.
