Entwined

Chapter 7: Ephemeral

"Woah, hey," she uttered. "What happened?"

"I can't do this anymore, Mel. Why can't I do anything?" I complained, still sobbing.

"Calm down Easton, you're hurting me." She responded.

"I-I'm sorry Mel. I didn't..." I broke off from the hug but she immediately took me back in, gentler this time.

"It's fine, it's fine. I'm here. I won't leave you again." She said, her reassuring voice resonating deep within me.

I just hugged her and spoke up about my frustrations. Every word I said, she took it all, listened to me without complaining. I don't know what came over me, I was just tired of it all. I'm powerless to everything that's happening to me. Powerless to make things right.

I'm tired... really tired.

"I know how you feel, Easton. Let it all out. I'm here." She reassured.

She caressed my head and occasionally pats my back. Small gestures that somehow calmed me down a lot. She's never done this to me before but it feels like it's what I needed for a very long time. Eventually, I calmed down and broke off the hug.

"Thanks... Mel," I muttered. "I don't know what came over me."

"Oh, it's nothing. You just seemed a little frustrated about everything." She said and sat beside me. "And also, that's what I'm here for. Never suffer alone, okay?"

"Thank you..." I smiled.

 She's such a great friend, I missed her being with me. It made me remember all the times she dragged me to places because I was sad. She has this skill that allows her to know how to cheer me up, it's amazing.

"I remember you being this emotional when I mentioned I was going to leave." She recalled and giggled. "You clung to me the whole day, not letting any second pass knowing I'd leave the day after."

"You can't blame me; you told me too late," I retorted. "It was too sudden."

"I know, do you remember? I also made a promise that day."

"That you'd return, right?"

"You still... remember?"

She seemed surprised that I remembered. Of course, I'd remember it. It just stuck to me; it became my comfort for a while when she left. It kept me going, knowing someday she'll return and continue being friends. Just my young mind's optimism.

"You sure keep your promises, though." I said, smiling.

"Heh, it's nothing. I intend to come look for you when I get the chance." She replied.

"Oh, and Mel—" I spoke up but my stomach's audible grumble rudely interrupted me.

She looked at me for a second and laughed, "We should probably go downstairs and eat."

Embarrassed, I nodded and followed her downstairs. I knew she cooked dinner today but there's no scent wafting in the air. I grew curious and waited patiently as she took out the dishes. She brought out a neatly arranged tempura and fried chicken— things that I really loved eating when I was kid. I can tell she did this to make me feel better when she noticed I looked sad when I arrived earlier.

"You remembered my favorites?" I asked curiously, smiling while I stared at the food in front of me.

"To be fully honest, those are the first things I learned to cook when I started to take interest in cooking." She explained.

"Really? Why?" I asked, curious.

"It just seemed easier," she said. "It's a good start and you liked them a lot."