25.
chapter twenty-five:
why won't she
talk? </3

The next day was gloomier, judging by how little Serena interacted with people. She refused to touch food and only ate a bit of porridge after much compulsion from Shauna and Lisia. Calem and Tierno had stopped by to visit, but she hadn't opened up to them either.

As for me, I had Gary and Misty by my side for most of the time. They visited during each interval and break. May, Drew, and Dawn also chimed in. From what they knew, the teachers were planning something fun, and everyone was dying to find out what.

But I was worried sick about my best friend.

She barely spoke, lost her appetite, and along with it, her usual charm. Now, don't get me wrong—she was still beautiful in my eyes—but her upbeat nature was just... gone without a trace. Even Lisia, the most cheerful among us, had sobbed her eyes out during one of the visits.

I couldn't take Serena's silence any longer. The audio wasn't enough to determine what those three guys had done to her, and the first interrogation hadn't even been mentioned during the meeting.

Whatever was behind her frown, it definitely wasn't worth it. So, I decided to confront her that evening.

"Serena," I called as we finished supper, my voice firm. "Serena!" She flinched and looked at me with wide eyes. Part of me wanted to beat myself up for startling her, but I pressed on. This was the only way to get her to open up.

I rose to my feet and hurried to her side. Her eyes were still wide as she stared at me. I offered her my hand, but she stayed put. When she didn't respond, I gently took her hand myself. She didn't protest, but her eyes were still on alert.

"Come on," I whispered, and pulled her to her feet. Serena didn't resist, so I led her out of the somber hospital wing to the campus gardens.

The air was chilly and foggy; winter was starting to set in. The cold wind pinched my cheeks, and I shivered slightly. "It's cold, isn't it?" I glanced over at her, and she gave a small nod, her eyes downcast. I frowned and stopped in front of the flower bed our class was tending to.

It was mostly Mallow's department, but I visited often. Flowers, as cringe as it sounds for a guy, always remind me that despite their fragility, they have a profound impact. I crouched down and looked up at her. Her gaze was fixed on her boots.

Talking wouldn't melt her icy silence, but maybe actions could. Gently plucking one of the dandelions, I started, "Hey, Dandy, remember me?"

Of course, there was no response, and I wasn't foolish enough to expect one. "I'm Ash Ketchum, the world's most pessimistic person. Don't mind me for plucking you. I just want to make a wish."

I reached for the half-white flower. "No, don't!" Serena's voice was soft but urgent.

"Why not?"

"The petals will fly away on their own when the time's right."

I pretended to frown at her. She looked breathtakingly beautiful under the moonlight, her eyes reflecting the flowers. "I won't be able to make a wish then."

Serena looked away, and I took a sharp breath as the wind blew her hair around her face. "What is it?" she asked softly, her eyes closed. "What's your wish?"

I stood, dusted myself off, and replied as calmly as I could, though I certainly didn't feel calm. "To make you smile, genuinely, at least once a day."

Her eyes flew open, and she looked at me, her mouth forming a small 'o.' I gave her the warmest smile I could muster. "You're like the dandelion, Serena. You've always been so... optimistic and cheerful. I don't like this brooding shell of you that's been staring into empty space these past two days.

"I want to pluck away the bad memories that are holding you down, like the stem of this flower," I said, holding the dandelion. "And remind you that your smile makes my day."

Serena pressed her hand to her chest, her face clouded with melancholy. I stepped closer and wrapped her in a bear hug, resting my hands on her upper back and pulling her gently against my chest. "Go ahead," she whispered. "Say it."

I didn’t hesitate. "Your smile makes me feel warm and fuzzy, girl. It's so bright and full of joy that even on a rainy day, I don't need any light to see you shine."

For a moment, there was only the sound of the wind howling, joined by the chirping of crickets. I took a deep breath, but it brought a sharp pain to my chest.

And then, it all crashed down. She began sobbing, quietly at first. I didn’t say anything, just held her, my shirt growing wetter with each second. "I-I was so scared," she finally confessed. "For T-Trevor and the others. F-for you!"

My breath caught, and I tightened my embrace. "We're okay now," I reassured her, rubbing slow circles on her back. "We're all fine. You're safe."

She looked up at me then, and I had to fight the urge to cry too. Her lips trembled, and her cheeks were flushed. "I'm scared..." she whispered.

"It's okay to be scared, Serena. But it's over now." For once in my life, I was at a loss for words. What could I say when she looked so small and vulnerable? Then I noticed faint nail marks around her neck. The nerve of those—

"I'm okay." Serena stepped back for a moment, but her expression remained uncertain. There was something on her mind she seemed hesitant to voice. I gave her an encouraging smile, and she finally blurted out, "Can I—we—hug?"

I didn’t answer with words. Instead, I pulled her close again, breathing in the faint scent of strawberries that clung to her. It was barely noticeable, a sign of how deeply the incident had affected her, enough to make her forget to care for herself.

We stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, under the moonlit sky. I could’ve sworn I heard her softly snore, but it was gone before I could be sure. She shifted slightly, and I pulled back just enough to see her face. "Is everything okay?"

Serena nodded, and a small smile tugged at her lips. "You’d really do anything to make me smile, wouldn’t you?"

I ran a hand through my hair. "Of course I would, even if it means running to the store to get you chocolates at midnight."

"Midnight chocolates, huh?" She sniffled, glancing away with embarrassment, but soon a smirk appeared. "Why not get me some right now? It’s practically midnight."

I laughed and offered her my arm. "As you wish, your eminence. Right after I drop you off at the hospital wing."

Serena chuckled, and I was reminded of just how much I loved—and missed—that sound. It made my heart flutter awkwardly, cheesy as that sounds.

By the time I returned with two bars of chocolate, she was fast asleep, her screen ajar. Smiling to myself, I placed the chocolates on the table beside her bed and gently tucked her in. After closing the screen for her privacy, I headed to my own bed.

It had been a long day, and though my muscles screamed for rest, my mind was finally at peace.

I had made her smile.

— 💌 —

Hey guys!

We close the curtains of the second act. How has the story been so far? What are the emotions you have felt as you peruse this story? I'd love to know!

Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x