Can You Keep A Secret?

13. Bianca: Flashback

As I finish jotting down my final words, I lean against the sturdy tree and carefully fold the paper, sealing it with a kiss before tucking it away. With a deep breath, I gaze up at the sky and take in the beauty of the sun's rays illuminating the clouds. It's a stark contrast to the heavy, somber mood that has been weighing on me all day. I had been waiting for her to show up, but deep down, I knew she wouldn't. It was no surprise.

Since that fateful day, everything had changed. I just didn't expect it to happen so quickly. Minutes turned into hours, hours into days, and days into months. The cold December air only added to the chill that had settled in my heart. Shivering on the grass, I let out a heavy sigh and gather my bag, leaving the papers by the tree where we used to spend countless hours together.

Leaving the school grounds, I spot my car waiting for me. Unlocking it, I slide inside and start the engine, heading towards the manor for what felt like the tenth time. Hoping against hope that she would be there. She had promised to pack her things and finally move in with Iris, but something kept drawing me back there.
As I pull into their driveway, I notice several boxes outside that I assume belong to her sitting on the ground. Taking my time to park the car in the garage and go look at the boxes, I catch a glimpse of a figure with striking blue hair running away. Sylvie?

I quickly exit the car and call out her name, but she continues to sprint away. I couldn't let her go- I had to follow her. I knew the feeling calling me back to the manor was right all along; she had come to collect her belongings. Jumping back into my car, I chase after her. The cars around me honk and swerve as I speed down the road, determined to catch up to her. I honk my horn three times, but she ignores me and keeps running with all her might. Where is she going?

I pull over and get out of the car, pursuing after her on foot as she disappears into the forest. Luckily, her bright blue hair makes it easy to keep track of her. "Wait, please!" I plead, running as fast as my legs could let me as she weaves through the trees and takes sharp turns. She finally stops at a strange house that was hidden among the trees. She bounds up the stairs, two at a time, and slams the door shut behind her. I pause, trying to catch my breath, and take in the unfamiliar house. The scent of fresh wood fills my nostrils, hinting at its newness.

Without wasting any time, I climb the stairs,  my feet practically flying as I push open the door, the wood creaking under my weight. "Sylvie, are you here?" I call out, hoping for a response but it was just the only sound of my heavy breathing. I take my time taking deep breathes, my eyes spotting a figure standing in the middle of the room, wearing a black hoodie. "Is that you?" I ask, panting heavily with my hands on my knees.
She slowly takes off the hoodie and turns to face me. "You shouldn't have followed me," she says, her voice low and filled with sadness. I continue to pant, looking at her with my hands still on my knees.

"You really shouldn't have followed me," she says coolly, as she walks over to the fridge and grabs a water bottle. My heart races as I still desperately try to catch air. "Well, excuse me for worrying about my friend," I reply, still panting. I watch as she pours the water into a cup, her head hung low. "No one asked you to," she retorts sharply. It's clear that she was carrying heavy baggage, and I can't help but feel guilty for possibly adding to it. But I couldn't just sit back and watch her skip classes and avoid us for the past two months. It was almost Christmas and she hadn't even been to BrookSville High for what seemed like an eternity.

"You didn't have to ask me anything, Sylvie. I'm your friend." I stated firmly, trying to hold my ground despite my shaky voice. My words seem to reverberate through the room, and for the first time, I realize that I was practically standing in a strange house, hidden in the woods. Where the hell was I?
"I have no friends, Bianca," she says, turning to face me with the glass in her hands, gripping it so tightly that her knuckles turn white. "So what does that make us?" I gesture between the two of us, my hands flailing. Were we just strangers who happened to know each other? Two girls that randomly happened to know each other? It didn't make sense to me. None of this was helping anything. I shake my head and turn to leave, feeling useless and stupid. I should have known better; should've known that I’d never be able to have a friend that truly counts. Sylvie stays silent.