Starfall - Our last call

Forget

March 7th 3:30pm 2031 - Zachary
"That's the whole story."
I say, all of my energy is officially gone from reliving that day for the 100th time. My therapist, Dr Jennifer Bray, nods.
"I'm proud of you that you found the strength to finally tell me your story Zachary.." she says sympathetically
"Yeah.. I think it would be good for you to know.."
She pauses, seeming deep in thought.
"Zachary, is there anything that triggers memories of that day?"
"Blood of any kind, tomatoes for some reason, that earthy greenhouse-y smell? When I see anything related to a hunter plant.. I.."
"Panic attacks?"
"..yes"
"What do you do to cope with your panic attacks?"
"I.. usually just try to deal with it til it goes away."
"Hmm.. that's not a very good way to cope, maybe you can try some breathing exercises? Next time that happens, can you try to remember to take a slow deep breath in, hold for 5 seconds and let it out slowly, this can also be good for stopping a panic attack before it happens, it's not 100% but it does help some people, so can you remember that?"
"Yes I can, thank you that helps."
"How long has it been since Milo died?"
"...about 9 months now.. I'm sorry I don't think I can keep talking about this, I don't have the energy for it.."
"That's okay, do you think you want to finish up for today?"
"Yeah, I don't think I have much else to talk about anyway."
"Ok, so I'll see you again 2 weeks from today?"
"Yeah, I'll see you then." We get up and she walks me out to the waiting room.
"thank you." I say.
"Have a good day." She smiles and heads back to her office. I take out my phone and call resse.
"Hello?"
"Hey, I'm all done here."
"Ok cool, I'll pick you up in a few mins, I'll call when I'm out front"
"Ok, thanks Reese."
"No problem friend! See you soon!"
I hang up, Reese can bring a genuine smile to anyone, even if it's for a brief moment. I take the elevator down to the first floor and wait for Reese. I sit on a near by bench and try to zone out on a phone game. But he's always in the back of my mind, I miss him so much.. I would do anything to bring him back..
the funeral and wake was the one of the hardest things I've had to do, seeing Milo's body laying in a casket, I still vividly remember all of the times I've seen him dead..
my thoughts are interrupted by my phone buzzing, Reese is here. I get up, walk out and get in the car.
"Hi, Mochi!"
Everyone in our friend group calls me 'Mochi' I'm still not sure why it hasn't gotten old yet.
"Hey, thank you for picking me up."
"It's no problem, really!"
Resse is really sweet and kind, especially for a half blood succubus, that's why she's been my best friend since middle school. her shoulder length brown to blond ombré hair is curled and done up for later tonight, she's even wearing the grungy outfit, not waiting til later to get ready, she's always been weird like that..
"Still letting me treat you to drinks tonight?" I smile. Resse blushes
"you know you don't have to right?"
"You've done so much for me, this is the least I could do!"
Resse squeaks
"Alright! I'll let you treat me! just remember I'm keeping my eye on you, no more than 3 drinks got it?"
Fuck.
"Ok I got it."
Reese pauses for a moment.
"Hey Zachary? Do you ever miss living up in Barkanley? Y'know, nature, small friendly community, that stuff?"
"Sometimes yes, but I try not to think about it, it's just too painful, life was perfect for a while."
"I see, sorry for bringing it up I didn't mean to bring painful memories back."
"Ah! No don't worry about it, almost everything reminds me of my old life anyway! It's really no big deal!"
I try to reassure Reese while forcing a laugh out.
"It is a pretty big deal, Zachary, you're going through a pretty insane situation right now.."
"..yeah I guess you're right.."
We arrive at Resse, her sister's and her sister's fiancés house. Candy's house is big and nice, Candy is a well off model and her music career is kicking off nicely too, she's tall and curvy with ruby red eyes, pastel pink skin with long horns the same colour, pointed ears, a long demon tail, with long white hair with bangs.
and her fiancé, Sophia, who just so happens to be my high school ex girlfriend, is a small nekonimi with a "soft girl aesthetic" as she puts it, she has skin the colour of milk chocolate, short curly dark brown hair with cat ears and tail to match. Back in high school my favourite thing about her was her big hazel eyes, I think they're Candy's favourite thing about her too. We enter the house and Candy and Sophie are inside making... what the hell even is that? It looks like a salad? Maybe An Alien?
"We're home!" Reese announces
Candy looks up and smiles
"Hey sis! What's up?"
Sophie smiles at us.
"Nothing much, also what the hell are you making?"
I ask, Sophie starts to laugh.
"You see, I was trying to teach candy how to make my family's guacamole recipe, and she added icing sugar instead of salt!"
"HOW DO YOU DO THAT?"
"I honestly have no idea!"
"That's mean Sophie! You know I'm bad at cooking! I couldn't tell difference between a bag of salt and icing sugar!"
Candy pouts and folds her arms as Sophie continues to laugh at candy, Candy sighs dramatically as a joke and turns to us.
"So, do you two have anything planned for the rest of the night or are you just chilling?"
Candy asks, I see Reese's eyes light up as she remembers our plans.
"actually! Me and Zachary are going out for a few drinks tonight, Wanna come with us? you'll probably have to pay for yourselves though."
"Ohhh!! absolutely yes! Will there be karaoke?"
"Yeah that's why I'm asking you!"
Reese laughs
"I think I'm going to stay here for tonight, thank you for the offer though!"
Sophie smiles meekly at us.
"That's totally okay, baby girl!"
Candy says as she pulls Sophie closer to her then leans down to kiss Sophie's forehead, Sophie blushes and smiles up at her with a slight purr in her throat.
"So, When are we leaving?"
Candy says while petting Sophie.
"Probably six"
"Why six? Isn't that a bit early?"
Reese glances at me
"I think it would be good to take a walk around the city for a little while, Zachary hasn't really been outside for a couple days until today"
"Well.. alright, I'll start getting ready."
"But It's only 4?"
I say confused
"I know, I wanna look good up on stage cause I have a song I really wanna do! Anyway, I'm gonna take a shower."
It may just be bar karaoke, but candy LOVES being the centre of attention no matter where it is, and she knows how to get it. Sophie however is very shy and introverted and would just prefer diving into some books for the night rather than going out. they balance each other out really well weirdly enough..
"Alright, I'm just gonna relax in the other room until 5:30 if anyone needs me."
I head down into the guest room I'm staying in, all my stuff still in boxes from moving out of our old apartment, and I sold the green house to Anna. I look out my window and see a boy putting a scarf around a girl's neck, she's blushing and smiling, not just from the cold air. That reminds me of when I first fell in love with Milo..