THE MOONLIGHT illuminated the sky. On her front porch, and staring up, her smile widened when she felt a light breeze. The stars - they all looked so innocent. By the time she left for her vehicle, though, it had vanished. 

Then, after reaching it, she ducked in and held her breath. For a moment, she just gripped the wheel, her mind spinning. 

She hadn't seen Willow in three days. After her date, she had gone to work and returned home. At the time, she had been too exhausted to visit. Now, perhaps, her friend felt abandoned. 

Then again, Willow did want to be alone, didn't she?

A few minutes passed. 

With a huff, she pulled out of the driveway.

The road was more populated in the evening. As she drove, eyes trained ahead, she would yawn every several minutes and slap herself. If only it was the weekend. Instead, it was a Wednesday and she had returned home from work an hour before. In that time, she had taken a shower, changed into a casual wear, and fixed her hair. 

Now she just wanted to sleep. 

But she would do it for her friend. 

She would do it for Willow. 

-

Amora pressed the button, then stood back. With a ding, the elevator doors flew open. After stepping through and pressing floor '3', she looked down and forced the thoughts away. Willow would be just fine. 

She was a grown woman, after all. 

A pair of feet babbled near, stopped, then entered. 

The doors closed. 

"I'm sorry about what happened."

Her heart dropped. "What did you say?" She met their face and held her breath. 

The woman beside her, finger looming over phone, stared back. "What are you talking about?"

"Huh?"

"I don't have time for this." She looked down at her phone, muttering to herself. "Stupid little girl..."

With a ding, the elevator doors re-opened. 

Amora waited for her to leave, scratching her neck, and felt her face redden. 

The woman's eyes pieced into her. Then, with a scoff, she scurried from the elevator. 

After closing her eyes, and sighing, she followed suit. Maybe this visit will make me feel better. 

-

"Willow?"

Hair covering her face, tangled and greasy, her friend sat upright in bed. All the while, her fingers fidgeted and she said nothing. 

Amora shut the door behind her, then inched forward. "Willow?" Another step. "You alright?"

She gave a nod, slow and stiff. "I'm just fine."

"Are you?"

Moments later, hanging her head, she brushed a few strands away. "Yes, I'm fine, Amora... You can go home now."

Amora pulled up a chair, then sank down. "Can I see the rest of your face?"

Willow stiffened. With a shaky hand, she tucked the rest behind her ears. "See, I'm fine." She kept steady eye contact. "You happy now?"

Amora leaned in. Her friend's face was dry, but her eyes ran cold. There was something in them... something deep and numb. 

"Well, are you?" 

Amora forced herself to blink. "I'm not stupid, Willow, and you're easy to read."

Willow scoffed, her gaze drifting. "Is that right?"

"You've got a whole different vibe now."

"Can you go... please?" Her friend began to rub her arms. "I'm not ready for visitors."

Amora took a moment, steadying her breath. In, out. In, out. 

"Did you hear me?" Then she huffed, looking in the other direction. "Of course you did... You just want to be stubborn, as usual."

"Willow," Amora said and paused. "Can you look at me?"

Then, with another sigh, she complied. This time, her eyes had a flicker; a dread. 

"I'm here because I care. I was already gone for three days. I couldn't let myself wait longer."

Willow cocked her head, letting out a dry chuckle. "Is that right?"

"What?"

"It doesn't sound you wanted to come..." Her friend hung her head and nodded. "Just know that you're off the hook."

"What are you talking about?"

Willow looked up and bit her lip. Now, there were unshed tears. 

Amora held her breath. "I... I don't understand."

"Remember Jonny? He came back and said we'd try again. Just yesterday, though, he broke it off." She closed her eyes, forcing breaths. "I mean, who would want me anyway? I'm in a wheelchair!"

"Know this, Willow: You're not an inconvenience." Amora kept her face open, words firm. "I've been visiting you and I won't stop. Not even when you leave. I'll still come to your place and hang out. Do you hear me?"

 Her friend chuckled again. This time, she shook her head and stared off. "Is that... is that something you would tell your mother?"

"Yes."

Willow muttered under her breath. 

"What was that?"

"I know you, Amora. You hate visiting her." Willow rubbed her arms harder. "You just tell people what they want to hear."

"No, that's not-"

"Get me that water, will you?" Willow nodded at the cup in the windowsill. "My doctor put it there and forgot about it."

"It reminds me of that one time," Amora said. "It was in that exact spot."

"Yeah."

Then, with a sigh, she stood, took a step forward, and-

"Wait."

Amora stopped mid-step, looking over. "What?"

"I'll get it. I should walk, right?" With both hands, she scooted to the edge of the bed. Then she exhaled, heavy, and lowered her feet. 

"Willow?"

Slow but steady, she pushed herself upright until she was leveled. "I've got it." 

"You sure?"

After a glance her way, Willow set her jaw. "What, now you suddenly don't have faith in me? I thought you want-"

That was when it happened. 

After her third step, Willow misjudged a foot and lost her balance. As she fell forward, hands stretched out, she let out a yell. Then, with a thud, she met the ground, face inches away. 

"W-Willow?"

Her friend said nothing. 

"You want h-help up?" Amora stuttered. 

Willow laid there, looking at the ground, when she bowed her head. With each sob, her back moved up and down, face buried in hands. 

This time, Amora fell to her knees, rubbing her back. "I'm so sorry, Willow. I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"I was so close..."

-

"This is the place." Pushing her along the path, Amora struggled to hold her head high. "This is the place Thomas and I met up."

Her friend peered back, giving a small smile. "Ah, must have been fun."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, you don't seem sad about it." Willow tucked her hair back. "I bet it went well."

Despite herself, Amora smiled as she thought back. "You know, it did go well... overall." 

"Good. I'm happy for you."

Unlike early yesterday morning, there was now gentle chatter in the air. While most strolled side-by-side, others walked alone, enjoying it all the same. Every few feet, there was a pair of street lights, illuminating their path. In the background, birds chirped in the sky and a steady breeze blew. And up ahead, giving off a kind splatter, was the bridge's lake. 

Amora's smile widened. "You know, at first I was nervous. Things were too quiet and I thought we had to fill up the silence." She paused, choosing her words. "Instead, we each enjoyed the silence. It was what brought us together."

"Silence is a beautiful thing."

"Yeah, but we also talked... about a lot of stuff, actually."

Soon, the wheelchair resisted, coming to a stop. 

"Willow?"

"Why move when we could chill and talk? I want to be able to see you."

For a moment, Amora was quiet as she considered. Then, with a nod, she helped her friend off the path, into the grass. "Is this better?"

"Yes."

Amora stepped into view, arms crossed, before dropping to her knees. "What's on your mind, Willow?"

Her friend gave a subtle smile. "Please, tell me more about your date." She gestured her on. "You know I love this type of stuff."

Her smile returned. "Well, if you must know..." - a pause - "I even gave him a rose."

Another bird passed by. 

"A r-rose?" her friend stuttered. 

"Yes, just like I gave Bridger all those years ago. I've moved on, Willow."

Her face dropped. "I-I- Really?"

"Yes."

"Wow, you really have moved on." For a moment, she just let her gaze drift. Then, with a tilted head, she looked back to her. "Well, when's the wedding? I mean, I'm invited, right?" 

This time, Amora let out a laugh, hand over heart. "Oh, a bit soon for that, yeah?" She wiped at her face, wet with tears. "You sure are funny sometimes."

Willow just nodded, looking to the ground. 

"It was perfect, Willow, you should've seen it! We laughed, we talked... and, in the end, he was a shoulder to cry on."

Her friend met her face, giving a small laugh. "Yeah, he really does sound perfect. We can start up again, okay?"

 Amora nodded. After pushing her on the path, she disappeared behind her. "But don't worry, okay? You'll find someone."

"Yeah."

"In fact, I'll even give you tips if you want." She giggled. "But I'd have to charge you!"

She said nothing. 

As she pushed her along, Amora hummed softly. "I'm done being grumpy, Willow. I'm done being a burden to everyone. I just want to be happy and now I finally am."

A beat passed. 

Then, with a sudden thud, the wheelchair came to a stop. The bridge, with a slight incline, was a few feet away. 

"Amora?" Willow asked. "Why'd we stop?"

Bending low, Amora plucked a rose from beside the path. Then, with a smile, she straightened and sniffed. "It was one just like this, Willow. This looks like the one I gave him."

"I see."

"But, I don't know... maybe I'm overthinking it." A pause. "I mean, this-this could just be a disaster. For all I know, maybe I'm being naïve and silly." Amora dropped the rose, then hugged herself. "Yeah, I'm sorry for rambling, Willow."

That was when it happened. 

A violent splash came from the lake. 

Her voice caught in her throat. After freezing up, unable to breath, she whipped around. 

It was just what it sounded like. 

She hadn't been too late last time... but maybe she would this time. 

"Willow!" Without a thought, she scurried forward and jumped into the lake. From all around, the waves thrashed, small but rapid. "Willow!"

It that moment, a wheelchair resurfaced a foot away. 

After a brief gasp, she went under and waved her arms. And then, in her efforts, she felt a piece of fabric and grabbed a fistful. While she pulled, eyes pressed shut, her lungs begged and throbbed. For a moment, she resisted, screaming in her mind. 

However, Amora could only resist for so long. 

After a lungful of water, her chest stuttered, on fire. 

So close, Amora. So close. 

As she pulled upwards, her grip tightened. Then, with a strangled gasp, she breathed in for lost air. 

All the while, her fingers were slipping. And, by the time it registered, she had lost hold. 

Amora had a chance to save her. Yet, in her own stupidity, it was too late. 

Willow wasn't coming back. 

"Willow! Willo-" After dunking under, she forced her eyes open and searched. Then, hand to heart, she froze. Drifting away, her friend appeared all-too-still, hair in face. 

She'd be okay; she had to be. 

This time, with a tight hand, she grabbed at her arm. Then, as she gazed above, she tugged and thrashed. 

She wouldn't let go. Not again. 

With another strangled breath, she reached the surface. Oxygen felt precious; sacred. 

You'll be okay, Willow... Please be okay. 

With a grunt, she pulled her upper body onto the grass. 

A moment passed. 

"W-Willow?"

Another beat. 

"Willo-"

A groan. An arm twitch. 

"You alright?" Amora asked, leaning over. "Just... Just breath, okay?"

Her arm twitched again. 

Amora began to tap her face. She started off gentle, but ended with a slap. "Willow, pl-"

With a shaky hand, Willow covered her mouth and coughed. Then, with a groan, it dropped over her chest. 

Amora rubbed her shoulder, ushering kind words. 

"A-Amora?"

"Yeah?"

"You s-saved me again, didn't you?"

"Always, Willow." She kept her words soft. "Always."

"I was so close..."

-

"Why'd you do it?"

In the backseat, her friend stared out the window. "Why'd I do what?"

"You know, Willow. Don't play dumb."

Willow glanced her way, then crossed her arms. For a moment, she just shook her head. 

Amora blinked back tears. "I need answers, Willow." She paused, steadying her voice. "I can't just let this go."

"Yeah, well-"

"Or I'm gonna have to tell them."

This time, she snapped a look through the mirror. "Tell w-who?"

"Your doctor. He'd lock you up. You are a harm to yourself, after all."

A minute passed. 

Looking out the window, Willow repositioned, then chuckled. "Beautiful, huh?"

"What?"

"Remember that we agreed silence was beautiful? Yeah, well, that was stupid anyway..."

"Willow, p-"

"You really wanna know?"

There was a pause. 

"Yes." Amora looked through the rearview mirror. "I... I need to know."

Willow looked down and muttered. Then, with a sigh, she stared ahead. "If nobody else loves me, how am I supposed to love myself?"

"You'll get a man. You'll see. Until then, you just need to focus on other things. Boyfriends aren't all that matter, you know."

"I don't know, Amora... I don't see how I can live with myself."

"Remember at the hospital?" Amora asked. 

"What?"

"You said that you were so close." Then she swallowed, hands tight over wheel. "You.. meant to drowning, right?" A pause. "Right, Willow?"

Her friend nodded, stiff. "I was so close to it all being over. Then, of course, you came along..."

"You gave me that note, remember? I know in your heart you wanted me there."

Willow bowed her head, hair in face. "I don't know, Amora. I don't know."

"I have an idea." Amora kept her words steady, face open. "I think you'll like it, too."

"And what's that?"

"I'm gonna set you up on a date."

Hey there! This chapter took forever, I know, but I think I wrapped it up nicely. This thing probably took me about four hours. If you come across any mistakes, though, please let me know! 

Anyway, we've got about 3 parts left. In all irony, my other story 'Return of the Past' should end with the same amount! 

Well, I guess that's everything. I hope you're well and God bless. <33