Til The Stars Don't Shine

Chapter 1

Tina was tired of crying.

Ever since that fateful night, all she ever did was cry.

Usually, she would refrain from doing so, it made her look weak & she needed to be strong.

For Queenie.

But now there was no Queenie to be strong for.

So she cried.

Tina stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Tina?" There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" She croaked.

"It's Newt."

Tina took a deep breath.

"Come in."

The door slowly creaked open.

"How are you doing?"

Tina glared at him through tear-filled, bloodshot eyes.

"What am I talking about? Of course, you're not doing well. Do you want to talk about it?"

Tina paused, thinking. She hadn't really talked to anyone for weeks.

"Actually, yes."

A surprised look spread across Newt's face.

Tina patted the spot beside her.

Newt sat next to her.

"Thanks, Newt. For letting Jacob & I stay here."

"Of course, you two a going through a rough time."

"I just can't believe she did it."

"Me either..."

Tears began to well in Tina's eyes.

"I-I'm sorry," she sniffed, hastily brushing them away.

"No, Tina, it's fine," Newt patted her awkwardly on the back. "You have to let the feelings out."

"It's just...I've been letting them out since it happened."

"For some people, it'll take more time. She's your sister, of course, it'll hurt more."

"I guess that's true..." Tina sniffed.

They sat in silence for a while, Newt patting her on the back gently.

"How about you? How are you doing?" Tina looked at him.

"Well, I've been having a sense of loss for a while. Everything seems...empty."

Tina nodded in agreement.

"It must be hard to lose your best friend. Without her sacrifice, we all might be dead. At least she's at peace."

"That's true. All her life she's been tormented with guilt. Now, she has a chance to be at rest."

"How's your brother?"

"Torn to shreds. He loved her more than words could say."

For the first time in weeks, Tina remembered about her feelings for Newt.

The loss of Queenie had taken such a toll on her that Tina forgot how Newt made her feel.

How he would make her heart race.

How he never left her mind.

And how heartbroken she was when she thought he loved someone else.

For the first time in weeks, Tina remembered that she loved Newt.

But now, there wasn't enough space in her heart for love.