When Stars Collide | rorasa

Chapter 4: Sunset Tears

But even as Rora's spirits lifted, a shadow hung over their newfound friendship. Asa's brightness seemed to dim with each passing day, her laughter growing softer, her smiles more forced. Rora noticed the change, of course, but she didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to acknowledge the possibility that their time together might be limited.

One afternoon, as they sat on the roof, watching the sun set in a blaze of orange and pink, Rora finally broached the subject.

"You've been quiet lately," she said, her voice gentle. "Is everything okay?"

Asa hesitated, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "I...I have something to tell you, Rora. But I don't know how."

Rora's heart skipped a beat. She could sense the gravity of Asa's words, the weight of the unspoken truth hanging between them like a dark cloud.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me," Rora said, reaching out to squeeze Asa's hand. "I'm here for you, no matter what."

Asa took a deep breath, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I went to the doctor yesterday," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "They found...something."

Rora's stomach dropped. She knew without Asa having to say it what that "something" was. The word hung in the air between them, heavy and suffocating.

Cancer.

The word echoed in Rora's mind, sending shockwaves through her body. It felt like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of her sails.

Asa continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "I don't know what's going to happen, Rora. But I wanted you to know. I didn't want to keep it from you."

Rora felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She wanted to scream, to rage against the unfairness of it all. Asa didn't deserve this. No one did.

Instead, she pulled Asa into a tight embrace, holding her close as they cried together, their tears mingling with the fading light of the sunset.

From that moment on, everything changed. The specter of Asa's illness hung over them like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over their once bright friendship. But even in the midst of the darkness, they clung to each other, finding solace in their shared pain.

Asa's treatments began in earnest, a grueling regimen of chemotherapy and radiation that left her weak and exhausted. But through it all, she remained determined to make the most of her remaining time. She refused to let the cancer define her, choosing instead to focus on the moments of joy and laughter that she and Rora shared together.

And so they continued to stargaze, their nightly ritual now tinged with a bittersweetness that was impossible to ignore. They talked about the future, about their hopes and dreams, knowing that the road ahead would be anything but easy.

But for now, in the stillness of the night, they found solace in each other's company, holding onto the light that had brought them together in the first place.

For Rora, it was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still beauty to be found. And for Asa, it was a testament to the strength of their friendship, a beacon of hope in a world filled with uncertainty.

Together, they faced the unknown, their hearts intertwined like the constellations above, shining bright against the backdrop of the lonely sky.