Author's note: I'm going to be starting a new Everlark story soon. It doesn't have a title yet, but I'm excited about it. So keep your eyes out for that.

Anyway, thank you for reading this and for following and favoriting, and reviewing.

Happy reading!

Chapter Three

Effie paced her room most of the day. She tried to refuse to eat, but they said if she didn't then her visitor would be turned away. So she ate. And she hated every bite. She wanted to look her best for her friend, but she felt this was wrong. Her body had stopped revolting, but her mind still hadn't.

Cinna arrived and she was escorted out to the visitors' room. They were seated closest to the desk where a disapproving nurse named Glimmer watched over them.

Effie threw her arms around Cinna's neck and hugged him tightly. "Oh, I missed you so."

"I missed you, too." He said. He rubbed her back and then stepped away and looked her over. "How do you feel?"

"I've gained five pounds. I'm learning healthy eating habits and proper exercise. And I've been talking about things. I've started to figure out the root of my problems so that I can fix them."

Her friend smiled and patted her hand. "Good for you."

They sat in silence for a few moments and then Effie pointed to his portfolio. "Will you show me what you brought?"

He smiled and opened up the binder as he moved a little closer to her. "I'm on a roll with these. This one is my favorite. It's going to gather here in the middle."

Effie looked at the drawing and then to her friend. "It's pretty."

"What? How do you think I should fix it?" He put his hand on top of hers. "Talk to me, Effie."

"It's just…" She trailed her finger down the edge of the page. "Don't you think that's going to be uncomfortable? A lot of women are uncomfortable with that area of their bodies. Especially me." She looked up at him. "I'm sorry. Do it how you want."

Cinna patted her back. "I'll fix it." He pulled a pencil out of his bag and turned the page over and started drawing. "What if it gathered at the shoulder and draped down to the opposite waist? That would elongate the body a bit, don't you think?"

She watched him sketch and then nodded. "And if you make it floor-length, it will look lovely and flowy." She smiled. "I miss spending time with you while you do this."

"You've only been here a couple weeks. You'll be out in six more. Then you can spend all day every day for as long as you need or want with me while I sketch and tell me how to fix my designs." He gave her his large, friendly smile.

She relaxed a little. "Okay, show me the rest."

They poured over the rest of the designs for nearly an hour. And they laughed. Effie felt like it had been years since she laughed.

Cinna sat back and watched her. "Your laugh is different."

She stopped and looked at him. "How so?"

"It just is. I can't explain it."

She shrugged. "I'm starting to feel a little better in my skin, I think. It's a slow process. I still don't like to eat, but now I know a little about why."

He patted her hand.

"So how long can you stay?" She asked.

"As long as I can. Is there a limit?"

"I don't think there's a time limit. Not a strict one anyway."

"Then I'm here for the afternoon. Tell me more about this place. That counselor that set up the call. He seems gruff."

She nodded and closed his portfolio. "He is. Especially when you first meet him. But he softens up a little. It's mostly so you know where you stand. If you do what he expects, he's good. But if you screw up, he'll let you know about it."

"Like that chef guy on TV?" Cinna asked.

"Gordon Ramsey?"

"Yeah, him." He sighed dramatically. "I'd do him in a heartbeat. Let him yell about how fucking useless I am the whole time."

"You would not." Effie giggled.

"I would so." He laughed. Then he leaned closer. "What about this counselor of yours? Is he attractive?"

She blushed a little. "I'm not supposed to notice that sort of thing."

"So he is?"

"Shut up, Cinna." She pushed his arm and giggled. "Okay, yes, he's attractive. Blonde hair, kind of shaggy. Scruffy beard. These blue eyes I could drown in."

Her friend let out an appreciative sound.

"But, just because I find him attractive doesn't mean anything. He's my counselor. And he's really sympathetic. He knows just what to say or to ask to get me thinking about my issues."

"I'm proud of you." He said. He leaned in, "And incredibly jealous."

Effie giggled. "Well, he's my counselor. It's strictly against the rules. And he's not attracted to me anyway. He might even be married, for all I know."

Cinna chuckled. "Did you see a ring?"

"No ring. But some people don't wear them."

"True." He watched her a few minutes. "Can you show me around this place?"

"I don't know. They said the first couple visits had to be supervised."

Cinna looked over his shoulder. "She's texting." He whispered.

Effie shrugged. "She always is. But she notices everything." She looked between the attendant and her friend. "I'll ask." She got up and took a few tentative steps toward the desk. "Hi, could I…Would it be okay to show my friend around?"

Glimmer looked up from her phone and around the room. "I guess we can do that." She made a note and walked around from behind the counter.

Cinna gathered his things into his satchel and pulled the strap over his head. He followed as Effie told him about each of the rooms. She stopped outside the women's dormitory and asked if it was okay to show him where she slept. Normally, the only people of the opposite sex allowed down those halls were nurses or doctors or the counselors if the person refused to get out of bed or just couldn't.

"Since I'm here, I don't see a problem." Glimmer said. She punched in a code and the doors opened.

Effie led them inside and down to the farthest room. She poked her head inside a moment to see if her roommate was in, but she wasn't. She stepped inside. "This is it." She smiled nervously. "That's my side." She pointed to the right. "And that's Clove's side. She's off somewhere. I don't know. She doesn't like it in here. Her stay is court-ordered." Effie chewed her lip. "And that was the grand tour."

Cinna nodded and looked around. He dug in his bag and pulled something out. He asked Glimmer, "Can she have this?" He indicated one of his sketches.

Glimmer shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Cinna handed it over.

Effie looked at the green dress with all the flounces at the bottom. "Thank you."

"When you get done here, I want you to bring that one back to my studio with you and I'm making that one for you. And we're going to have a big party to celebrate."

She looked up from the sketch. "I'd be more comfortable with a small gathering, I think."

"Then a small gathering it will be." He looked at his watch. "I've been here for quite a while. I should probably go."

"I'll walk you to the front." Effie offered, giving Glimmer a questioning look.

She nodded.

Effie slipped her arm through Cinna's and started walking. "Can you come back next week?"

"I think so. I'll try. Do you need me to bring anything?"

"There are plenty of things I'd like you to bring, but I don't know if you can. Let me talk to some people and then I may have a list."

"Okay. Good." He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. "I miss you."

"I miss you, too." She watched him step out and then turned to Glimmer. "Am I done being stalked?"

"Yep." Glimmer sauntered off and Effie was left alone. She looked around the common room and then made her way back to her room. She curled up on her bed, feeling empty and alone.