Lindsay, as if she were a soulless robot, mechanically picked up a bite of food, chewed, and swallowed, but it was as if she didn't taste a thing.

She sat frozen for a long moment before suddenly jumping up, exclaiming, "I must be dreaming! Lucy, pinch yourself—tell me if it hurts! Tell me if this is real!"

Lucy rolled her eyes so hard they nearly left her skull. Are you really my friend?

Smack!

She slapped Lindsay across the back of the hand. The sharp sting made Lindsay yelp, but it fully