After willow's pneumonia had nearly cleared, they let her go from the hospital. She still had to take some medicine twice a day for it to completely heal, but she was doing much better.
But after what she had been through, she was ready to die practically. She spent a lot of time alone in her room and didn't talk to Jake much at school anymore. They hadn't gone on a date since, and she rarely ate with her family.
She slowly began to shut herself off from the rest of the world. She never had any other friends at school or anything. Jake was about to put an end to this.
He didn't like that she was shutting out everyone. It was like when he first met her. He would never let her go back to that.
So as he drove her to school today, he asked her out.
"So, willow. It's been a while since we went on a date... want to go to dinner tonight? I already talked to your dad."
Willow looked out the window. "I don't know..."
"Come on, it'll be fun!"
She looked at him slowly. "I- oh what the heck, why not?"
"Great. I'll pick you up at 7. Sound good?"
She nodded and looked back out the window. Jake reached over and took her hand. He held it as he drove with his other hand.
She squeezed it a little. This was so peaceful. She never wanted to get out. Alas, school called and she had to get out and go to her classes.
Jake didn't have any classes with her this year. They met up between classes and at lunch. Then he drove her home after school.
Willow did her normal after school chores and homework. Then she got ready for her date with Jake.
Andy ran around behind her as she did her makeup, bumping her and making her put a line of eyeliner across her forehead.
Willow quickly wiped it off, leaving a faded black streak. She turned to Andy.
"Andrew!!! Seriously??? Get out!"
Andy put his hands up as if to protect himself from her rage. "Sorry it was an acci-"
"I don't care! Get out!" She slammed the door behind him and got back to getting ready, grumbling as she did so. Andy's eyes were wide. He was used to having a teenage sister around, though.
He watched some TV until Jake knocked on the door. Andy jumped up to let him in.
He opened the door."oh... so that's why willow's all angry at me..."
Jake kinda laughed a little. "Angry?"
"Yeah. She was really mad and all. I bumped her and she freaked out. But she does that all the time. It's a good thing she put makeup on. Have you seen her in the morning??? Her hair is crazy, especially on her legs, and she's got those crusty things in her eyes. Yuck!"
Jake's eyes were wide now "I think that-"
Andy cut him off. "And when she gets out of the shower everyone sings praises because before the shower she just-"
Willow was running through the house to get to Andy. She shoved her hand over his mouth and pushed him aside.
She peeked her head out to Jake. "I'll be out in a minute. Just let me deal with this-" Andy bit her hand. "Ow! You little twerp!!"
She pushed the door and it closed to a Crack. Jake heard a bunch of stomping and yelling. Finally, after about a minute and a half, willow appeared. Her hair looked nice, but a little undone. She was out of breath and looked like she had just fought an army of gummy bears.
"Sorry about that... brothers..."
Jake kinda laughed. "Come on, let's go."
He walked her to the car, opened the door for her, closed it, and got in and drove. He drove to an affordable, but still nice restaurant, where he claimed the reservations.
They sat across from each other. Willow put a stray hair behind her ear and looked at Jake. "So why are you all of the sudden taking me on a date?"
"I was worried..."
Willow grew somber. "I see..."
"Willow, when we first met, you were a super mysterious girl that always shut everyone out. I broke you out of that shell... now you're going back into it... what's going on inside that beautiful, smart head of yours?"
Willow sighed. She opened her mouth to explain, but stopped. "I... I don't know ever since, well, your father, I haven't really felt the same. I'm worried all the time. It's not always about the same thing. It's about you, your dad, andy, school, everything. And then I feel like... I don't know like there's too much for me to handle."
Jake held her hand. "There's nothing wrong with asking for help, willow."
She pulled her hand away. "I know, but it makes me feel....weak."
"It shouldn't. To ask for help would show that you are strong. Stronger than anyone, like I know you are."
Willow smiled a little. This time when he held her hand, she didn't pull away. "You're right..."
Jake tilted his head slightly. "Promise me you'll ask for help?"
Willow smiled and laughed a little. She felt like a child, but said, "I pinky promise." And held out her pinky.
Jake smiled wider. "Good," He said and liked his pinky with hers.
After their date, jake drove willow home. Everything had gone perfect. Now it was all going to end. They knew this as they pulled up and saw an ambulance parked on the road...
