[COMPLETE] If i could turn back time

7

As the days turned into weeks, Ava and Lily found themselves in a constant state of worry and anticipation. Mia was still in a coma, her condition stable but critical. The sight of her lying so still and silent was a stark contrast to the vibrant and spirited friend they knew.

The police investigation was progressing, with the man now facing charges for his actions. Despite this, Ava and Lily couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. They were relieved that the man was being held accountable, but it did little to ease their worry for Mia.

Their days were filled with hospital visits, conversations with doctors, and interactions with the police. The strain was evident, but they refused to give in to their exhaustion. They stood by each other, their shared concern for Mia serving as a bond that held them together.

In their quieter moments, they found themselves grappling with Mia's words. "Just kill me," Mia had said, her voice echoing in their minds. The desperation in her voice was a stark reminder of the fear and despair Mia had been living with.

.

One day, while cleaning Mia's room, Ava and Lily stumbled upon Mia's diary. Hesitant, but desperate for answers, they decided to read it. The diary entries revealed a side of Mia they had never known. They read about her struggles with mental illness, her daily battles with herself, and her fear of being a burden to them.

Mia had written about her reasons for distancing herself. She was scared of their judgment, scared for their safety. She had been living in fear, not just of the man who was stalking her, but also of the potential harm her struggles could bring to Ava and Lily.

They also found entries about their conversations that Mia had overheard. She had written about her feelings of hurt and betrayal, her confusion, and her despair. It was a painful revelation for Ava and Lily, their guilt intensifying.

The diary also contained details about Mia's past encounters with the man. She had been attacked by him multiple times before, each incident leaving her more fearful and isolated.

After reading Mia's diary, Ava and Lily were left in stunned silence. The revelations about Mia's struggles and fears were hard to digest. They sat in Mia's room, her diary lying open between them, a tangible reminder of the pain Mia had been silently enduring.

Ava was the first to break the silence. "We... we had no idea," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "She was in so much pain, and we... we didn't know."

Lily nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "She was scared... scared for us," she added, her voice barely a whisper. "She distanced herself to protect us, and all this time, we... we thought..."

Their conversation was filled with regret and guilt. They had misjudged Mia, misunderstood her actions. They had been hurt by her distancing, but they hadn't realized the extent of Mia's fear and pain.

The room was filled with a heavy silence as Ava and Lily grappled with their newfound understanding of Mia's struggles. They were both filled with a profound sense of guilt and regret, their minds filled with 'what ifs' and 'if onlys'.

"We... we should have been there for her," Ava said, her voice filled with regret. "We should have noticed... we should have realized that something was wrong."

Lily nodded, her heart aching with guilt. "We were so caught up in our own feelings, our own hurt... we didn't see the signs," she admitted, her voice trembling. "She was crying out for help in her own way, and we... we failed her."

Their conversation was a painful one, but it was also a necessary one. They needed to confront their guilt and their regret, to understand where they had gone wrong. They vowed to do better, to be there for Mia when she needed them.

While going through Mia's belongings, Ava and Lily found another book. It was filled with words, phrases, and sentences, each one meticulously written down. As they flipped through the pages, they realized that these were words that people had said to Mia - birthday wishes, words of encouragement, but also hurtful words.

Ava and Lily found their own words in that book, words they had said in moments of anger and frustration. They were taken aback, realizing that Mia had been carrying these words with her, that she had been using them as a reminder to improve herself and to not burden them.

"She... she kept all this to herself," Ava said, her voice filled with disbelief and regret. "She didn't deserve any of this."

Lily nodded, her heart heavy with guilt. "We... we said things... we didn't mean," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "And she... she took it all to heart."
.
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As Mia regained consciousness, the reality of her situation weighed heavily on her. The fear, the loneliness, and the pain were overwhelming. In her despair, Mia attempted to end her life. However, the hospital staff intervened in time, saving Mia from her desperate act.

Mia was put under close observation, her condition still critical. She refused to talk or meet anyone, her despair evident in her silence and her distant gaze.

When Ava and Lily learned about Mia's attempt, they were devastated. They felt a deep sense of guilt and regret, wishing they could have been there for Mia, wishing they could have done something to ease her pain.

Mia's struggle with her mental health, the fear from the man who had been stalking her, and her secret battle with stage 2 brain cancer had pushed her to a breaking point. She felt overwhelmed, helpless, and most of all, she felt like a burden to Ava and Lily.

Her attempt to end her life was a desperate act, born out of her desire to not burden her friends any further, especially as her health condition was getting more serious. She had been wanting to tell Ava and Lily about her cancer since the day ava and lily had an argument, but held back, fearing it would only add to their worries.

After a few weeks in the hospital, Mia was finally discharged. Ava and Lily were relieved to see her out of the hospital, but they were surprised by the change in her behavior. Mia, who had been so distant and quiet, was suddenly full of life and energy. She was bubbly, cheerful, and seemed happier than they had seen her in a long time.

It was as if nothing had happened. As if the fear, the pain, and the loneliness of the past few weeks had never existed. Mia was back to being the vibrant, spirited person they knew before.

Ava and Lily were glad to see Mia happy, but they couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. They knew about Mia's struggles, her mental illness, and her desperate act in the hospital. They wondered if Mia's sudden change in behavior was her way of coping with her struggles.