A/N: Cancer and death are mentioned in this story, so do not read if that sort of thing triggers you.
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_____ sat with her face in her hands. Tears rolled down her hot face. She whimpered and sniffled, trying to let it all out, but nothing worked.
She wiped her eyes and covered her mouth when she heard someone knock at the door.
"_____? You've been in the bathroom for twenty minutes. Are you feeling alright?"
She wiped her nose on her sleeve, "Yes, I'm fine, Emil." She replied, trying to sound like she wasn't crying for what seemed like forever.
"Please, let's go. I don't want to be stuck here forever." He replied.
She sighed, "Alright. Give me a few minutes."
_____ got up and headed to the bathroom sink. She splashed her face with cool water, hoping that it would freshen her up. She shook the water off of her hands and once again wiped her nose on her sleeve. She exited the bathroom and looked down at the carpeted floor, maybe -just maybe- Emil wouldn't see her puffy face.
"_____..." He sighed, "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Just fine." _____ muttered.
Emil put his thumb and index finger on her chin and lifted her face to his.
"You were crying, _____. Don't think I couldn't hear you. What's the matter?"
_____ sniffled, "It's nothing. Everything's just fine."
Emil let go of her chin and her head returned to its original position, staring at the ground.
"We've been friends for as long as I can remember. I can tell when you're lying to me." He folded his arms, giving her a slight stern look.
"Okay." She mustered her courage, "My (pet/family member) died last night of cancer, I just can't seem to get over it. They were very close to me."
It was silent for a few seconds. Emil didn't know what to do. He watched more tears flow down _____'s face. Then, out of impulse, he embraced her in a warm, tight hug.
"I'm sorry." He started, "I have many brothers who might pester me and get on my nerves, but they're family. Losing one of them would mean that the world would break in two. I understand your pain, and I'll be honest, I don't much know how to cheer people up in this situation, but all I can say is, I'm sorry."
More tears welled up in _____'s eyes and started to pour like rain. They rolled off of her face and dripped onto Emil's shirt.
"I can't take it anymore, Emil." _____ gulped through her tears, "The more you treat me like this, the more I take a liking to you. I like you, a lot. It's been driving me crazy for the past few weeks. I finally found my opportunity to say it. And, if you say no, I can't really be hurt anymore."
Emil dropped his arms to his side and took a step back, "_____? You like me?! I thought I was going mad!"
_____ smiled and continued the hug she soon stopped crying out of dread, and was crying of joy.
They stood there for a while, embracing each other tightly, like if they let go, they'd never touch again.
She finally spoke up, "Thank you. Now you know how to cheer someone up in this situation."