-willow tree-

Willow

Later that night, after the busy day had settled into a quiet stillness, Adaline found herself wandering outside. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a gentle glow over the neighborhood, and her feet seemed to carry her instinctively toward the old willow tree at the edge of the park. It had always been a place of solace for her, a spot where she could think and escape the pressures of the world.

As she approached the tree, she noticed a figure sitting beneath its sweeping branches. Adaline's heart sank when she realized it was Jane. Memories of the day flooded her mind—the harsh words, the laughter of her friends, and the way she had pushed Jane away. Guilt washed over her, yet she felt an inexplicable pull to come closer.

Jane was sitting cross-legged on the ground, her head bowed as she traced patterns in the dirt with a stick. The moonlight illuminated her features, and Adaline could see the remnants of tears on her cheeks, even from a distance. Adaline hesitated, unsure whether to approach, but something inside her urged her to move forward.

"Hey, Jane," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she stepped into the light of the moon.

Jane looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Oh. Hey, Adaline," she replied, her tone flat, devoid of the enthusiasm it had held earlier that day.

Adaline felt a knot form in her stomach. "I didn't expect to see you here," she said awkwardly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"Yeah, well, I needed some air," Jane replied, her gaze dropping back to the ground. "It's nice to be away from all the... drama."

Adaline swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Jane's words. "I'm really sorry about what happened earlier. I didn't mean to... I don't know. I just got caught up in everything."

Jane glanced up, her expression guarded. "It's fine. I get it. You've got your friends, and you want to fit in," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I just thought maybe you were different."

The words struck Adaline like a physical blow. She took a step closer, her heart aching at the sight of Jane's hurt. "I don't want to be like that," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't want to hurt people to feel accepted. I'm sorry for how I treated you."

Jane remained silent for a moment, studying Adaline's face. "You don't have to apologize to me," she finally said, her voice softening. "You were just... being who you thought you should be."

Adaline felt a rush of emotion. "But I don't want to be that person. I want to be someone who stands up for others, not pushes them down," she confessed, feeling vulnerable in the moonlight.

Jane looked at her, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "It's hard to break away from what everyone expects you to be. I know that feeling all too well," she said quietly.

Underneath the willow tree, the air felt charged with unspoken words. Adaline took a deep breath, feeling a shift within herself. "Maybe we can help each other," she suggested, her voice steadier now. "I mean, if you're open to it. I'd like to get to know you better."

Jane's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of surprise and hope filling her expression. "Really? You want to be friends?"

"Yeah, I do," Adaline replied earnestly, a smile creeping onto her face. "I want to be better, and I think you can help me with that."

As they sat together beneath the willow tree, the tension of the day began to dissipate, replaced by the possibility of a new connection. The branches swayed gently in the night breeze, and for the first time, Adaline felt a sense of peace wash over her. She realized that true friendship meant embracing others for who they were, not who society expected them to be, and in that moment, she was ready to take that step forward.