Susie Carmichael was bewildered. The past month had been so bizarre, so strange, so…different. Not that she was afraid of change. It was often for the best. She looked down at Phil, who slumbered peacefully across her lap, his legs stretched out on the couch. She smiled. Yes, sometimes change was very good. Although he could sometimes be moody or too facetious or just downright annoying, Phil was, to use an old cliché, the best thing that ever happened to her.

But lately everything felt a bit odd. However, things seemed to be improving. Angelica was in a much better mood since she started dating a millionaire. When Susie relayed this observation to Angelica, she only replied with, ``Multi-millionaire, you mean.´´ And, much to Susie's surprise, Peter was a pretty great guy. He was modest (well as modest as a self-made real estate tycoon could be), and kind and thoughtful. He gave copious amounts of money away—to charities, to churches, to schools. He was handsome and charming. Not to mention, he adored Angelica and showered her with gifts and luxuries.

And then there was Chuck and his girlfriend. Chuck was more careful, with a tendency to take things slow. He didn't tell them anything about her at first, except that they'd quite literally run into each other in a bookstore on the other side of town. When he didn't bring her around for the first few weeks, Tommy joked that he must be afraid they'd scare her off. Chuck laughed and immediately brought her to meet them, but Susie had the feeling he really had been nervous, and with good reason. When Emmy first walked in, Phil had stepped forward, hand extended, and, in a very loud voice, said, ``Hell-o! Wel-come to Am-er-ica!´´ Thankfully, Phil wasn't the only one with a sense of humor. She just smiled, took his hand, and told him that since she was from England, where English did, after all, originate, she was pretty sure she had a grasp on the language. And Emmy was great, too. Susie knew why Chuck liked her. She was almost like a female version of him. They had so much in common.

Neither Chuck nor Angelica knew about the other. Their friends were exactly hiding the information, but they weren't giving it out either. It was sort of an unspoken agreement among them. No one dared tell Chuck about Angelica's millionaire, because, for the first time in a long time, he seemed genuinely happy. And Susie herself knew best of all not to say anything to Angelica. Even though Angelica seemed to have gotten over Chuck long ago (she was, after all, the one who ended it), Susie knew that Angelica would still be inexplicably jealous. She was like that with all her ex-boyfriends. It just didn't make sense. But people rarely do, you know. Susie raked a hand through Phil's hair gently. He twisted a little and a sleepy smile crossed his face. Susie grinned, watching him dream. Yes, change was often for the best.

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The October of that year blew in with an inexplicable chill, both literally and figuratively. The first day was unseasonably cold. The news reporters even remarked on how unusual it was, but only momentarily, before going to a much longer segment on some celebrity couple's divorce. People never pay attention to the important things, which often seem like the unimportant things. If they would just pay attention, they could have the answers they so desperately crave. If this particular group of friends had noticed how different this October was, they would have known that things were about to change.

Along with the chill in the air came the chill of discontent. The first to feel it was Tommy. It hit him almost right away, on a Sunday afternoon. He opened his eyes and stared at the bedroom ceiling. Although Lil was warm and soft against his chest, he couldn't nap with her. His mind crawled with thoughts that couldn't let him enjoy being snuggled against her on this unusually cold afternoon. Tommy couldn't deny the truth anymore. He was unhappy. Not terribly unhappy…but not terribly happy. Discontent with life. He brushed his fingers through Lil's hair and smiled. He'd always told her that she was all he needed and he'd like to think it was true…But then why did he feel this way? He had a great life. He was popular in high school, and a decent student. He got the girl and went to college where he did fairly well in his classes, shared an apartment with his best friend, and basically had a lot of fun. But something was missing. He frowned and closed his eyes. Maybe he'd think about it later. He was suddenly very tired.

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``You're such a nerd!´´

Chuck put down the comic book, an expression of mock injury on his face. ``So says the library science major.´´

Emmy hid a smile behind her book. ``So, are you calling me a nerd?´´

``Something like that. And stop hogging the blanket, nerd.´´

She squealed as he pulled the blanket off of her. ``Stop it! I'm cold!´´ She tugged at the blanket, pulling it back on her.

``I'm cold.´´ he said, pushing her with his feet.

``Keep your feet on your side of the couch.´´

``Um, I own this couch, so all of it's mine.´´

``So, what are you going to do? Kick me off?´´

``Maybe.´´ He grabbed her arm playfully.

``Oh, you better not--´´

He stopped her with a kiss and she melted against him, all threats forgotten.

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Angelica brushed her hair, carefully studying her reflection in the gilded mirror. She saw what she always saw—long, golden blond hair falling over her shoulders, clear blue eyes, pink lips curved in a mischievous smile. Yet she wrinkled her petite nose as if looking at something distasteful. Something seemed wrong. She set down her brush and leaned forward, her nose almost touching the mirror, as if the pane of glass held some deep secret. However, if her reflection knew something, it wasn't telling.

``What are you doing?´´

Angelica jumped. ``Holy shit, you scared me!´´

Peter gave her an amused look. ``Sorry, Darling.´´

She stood and walked over to him, legs still a bit shaky. She ran a hand through his dark hair. ``Well, maybe I'll forgive you.´´

``Oh, you'll forgive me.´´

``You seem so sure.´´

He pulled away briefly, to pull a small box from his pocket. She took it with a smile. Inside was a pair of diamond earrings. ``Ooh, diamonds, my favorite. How'd you know?´´

``Just a hunch.´´

She gave him a long kiss. ``That's what I like about you. You're so intuitive.´´

He laughed. ``And you're adorable.´´

She wrinkled her nose. ``Adorable?´´

``Beautiful. Stunning. Sexy. Addictive. Take your pick.´´

``Much better.´´

He kissed her forehead. ``Shall we go to dinner? I know this great place, with a magnificent view, not to mention cocktails to die for.´´

She leaned down in front of the mirror and started to put in her new earrings. ``Sounds great. What's it called?´´

``The Rainbow Room.´´

She laughed. ``Right.´´

He grinned.

``You're serious? The Rainbow Room? In the Rockefeller Center? In New York?´´

``Absolutely. We'll take my jet. So we'll be a little late. We can snack on the way.´´

She smiled excitedly. ``Yes. Yes. Yes!´´ she hurriedly put in the other earring. ``Are we staying overnight?´´

He shrugged. ``Maybe.´´

``Then I need to pack.´´

``Who says you'll need clothes?´´

She grinned. ``But seriously…´´

``If you need anything, we'll just buy it in the city.´´

She grabbed her purse. ``Ok, I'm ready.´´

She followed him, only pausing to turn out the light and give her room one last sweeping glance. Her eyes hesitated on the mirror. She still felt that there was something different about her reflection. Even Angelica, who always adamantly refused to acknowledge or explore her feelings, felt the oddness of that October. Peter wrapped an arm around her. ``That view, by the way, is from the 65th floor.´´ Angelica smiled, and turned to leave. She realized that something was wrong, but, like most humans, she decided to worry about it later.

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The third person to feel it was Susie. It hit her on a Wednesday night halfway through October, as she was pouring Chardonnay for a couple at Jardinière. Although the chill literally pervaded her body, making her bones feel as though they were carved from ice, Susie left them with a cheery fake smile. When she re-entered the kitchen, she let her smile falter. She suddenly did not want to be there at all. Something felt off. Strange. She had to get out. Susie knew that she should be grateful to have a good job. Although she hadn't grown up poor by any stretch, her parents had always taught her that hard work was the key to success. They'd never let her go without, but would rather she earn her own keep. Which she was fine with. She liked her job most of the time. But, that night, she knew something was wrong. Cristophe turned the corner just as Susie sat down on a nearby stool. She held her face in her hands and sighed.

``But, Suzie, what is ze matter?´´

Susie looked him straight in the eyes and, without hesitation, for one of the few times in her life, she lied.

``I have a migraine. Can I go home?´´

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Angelica set down her champagne glass as her cell rang. Peter grabbed her arm playfully. ``Don't get that.´´´

She giggled as his lips brushed her ear. ``It might be important.´´ He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, the steaming water of the Jacuzzi sloshing around them. ``I can't not answer my phone.´´ she insisted.

He kissed her jaw. ``Yes, you can.´´

The cell kept on in the background.

``You filthy hypocrite. You're the same way.´´

``Next time my phone rings, I promise not to answer.´´

``Liar.´´

She got out and grabbed a towel as she scurried to the table. ``It's still ringing. See, it must be important.´´ She flipped it open and read Susie Calling.

``Hey.´´

``Hey,´´ said Susie.

Angelica cradled the phone between her chin and shoulder as she wrapped the towel around her swimsuit. ``I thought you were at work. Everything ok?´´

``Yeah…well, no. I left work because I didn't feel well.´´

``Aww…´´

``Yeah…so, you wanna go out?´´

``I thought you didn't feel well.´´

``I don't…I mean….it's hard to explain…I just had to get out of there.´´

``So you bailed on work to go out?….This is very unlike you…I kinda like it…so, where do you wanna go?´´

``It's Wednesday night. Karaoke at The Cat's Meow.´´