Shattered Like Glass

A Sweet Reunion

"Alina? Alina are you alright?" My mother called out. It's been a week since I last showed up to work. I haven't left my room, nor have I eaten. 

"I'm fine. Please leave me alone." I replied shakily. I heard her footsteps get fainter and fainter until she finally left the hallway. I was about to curl up onto my bed when the phone buzzed. I sprang up and picked it up immediately. I was ignoring the phone calls from my boss for the past couple days, and I think it's time for me to stop acting like a petulant child. 

"Noel?" Damn it! I can't deal with her right now. 

"What's the matter? You finally know I'm right?" Alice taunted. I glared at my "friend."

"Screw you Alice!" Alice gasped mockingly, 

"Watch you language. You're only 10. You act like you're 21." 

"My life is the same as a 21 year old." I replied calmly as I picked up the phone. Alice was about to say something, but she quickly cut herself off. 

"Alina? I'm so worried about you! Why haven't you been picking up?" I sighed, 

"Hi Noel." 

"Don't 'Hi Noel' me! MEET ME AT THE CAFE IN 10 MINUTES SHARP OR ELSE!" Then she hung up. Alice smirked, 

"Aww, your little music partner is missing the person who's doing the work for her?" 

"Ugh, you have no idea how jealous you sound right now. Stop being salty because you've been replaced." Alice gritted her teeth. Ha, got you. 

"Fine, whatever loser. I feel like I don't know you anymore." She vanished afterwards. 

I quickly tossed on a sweater and slipped out the window, not wanting anyone to see me leave the house. 

___

When I finally reach the cafe, I scanned the cafe for Noel. I finally found her, sitting at the usual window we sit us, sipping a cup of coffee. 

"Noel!" I waved. She grinned slightly and gave me a small hug. I still hate physical contact, but after throwing a tantrum for a week, a hug is what I need the most. I let her cling on to me for a while longer before I wriggled around, signaling for her to let go. Noel stared at me as I drained her cup of coffee. I told her, slightly embarrassed, 

"Sorry, haven't eaten in a week." Noel shook her head. 

"Then you must eat. Excuse me!" She called the waitress over and ordered a mug of hot chocolate and a chocolate cake. Aw, she knows I love chocolate. That's very sweet. She wrapped her arms around me again as we waited for food. 

"What happened to you? Why aren't you acting normal?" I shrank away from her again. I didn't want to tell her. I can hear Alice in the back of my mind, taunting me for being afraid and not trusting the person that makes me feel whole. If I was using my brain, I wouldn't say a word. 

I told her everything.

"..I couldn't stand the idea that you were just a bad influence." I sniffled. Noel hugged me tightly. 

"Alina, you should have told me earlier! You're like my little sister. You can tell me anything."

Again, I moved out of her grasp and focused on my cake. I took a huge bite. It tasted especially delicious today, probably because I haven't been eating properly. I answered after a few bites, 

"I know Noel. You're like my older sister. I will tell you everything from now on." 

"Good." This time, when she hugged me, I didn't move at all. 

Not even one tiny flinch.