“

people cry, not because they are weak.

it's because they've been strong for too long.

”

—Johnny Depp.

THE walk back home was quiet.

Ariel didn't say anything to Jasper and Jasper never said a word - even when his coat became too cold for him to keep on moving or his hand gloves felt more like a second skin made of cold material. He walked on, never complaining once.

He was old enough to read the mood.

He wondered if his Aunt Ariel was feeling as cold as he was from time to time but never brought it up. She had given him an inner shirt, sweater and coat along with a brown beanie and brown knitted hand gloves when she dressed him up that morning. All the clothes seemed like extra luggage to him now that they failed to keep him warm.

Once they were back in Agape's apartment - Ariel gave Jasper a smile before pulling off his coat and handing him a long sleeved shirt instead. Ariel had left the heat switched on before she left so she enjoyed the warm atmosphere while she could.

Not once questioning why the front door she had locked with Agape's spare key had been found open. She already knew Agape was home.

When Ariel got into her room, she met Agape seated on her single bed with a cup of steamy hot chocolate to her lips. Her eyes blank and emotionless.

Ariel knew she was in trouble then. She had originally planned to get home before Agape did but had forgotten that today was one of Agape's few short shifts and she wasn't needed at her second job because the restaurant closed temporarily until their boss came back from his travel.

Ariel took off her boots and adjusted the dress she'd taken from Agape's closet before having a seat next to Agape on the bed.

Agape often did what she was doing right there. Acting like as if everything was okay but on the inside she was going to a mental war.

But something told Ariel it wasn't about Jasper leaving the house. It was because Agape knew where they had gone to.

"I assume he didn't accept you back then," Agape's jaw clenched but she proceeded to drink her hot chocolate anyway.

"No," Ariel replied. Her voice sounded distant even in her own ears.

"If you're going to keep on begging for that man's forgiveness. Feel free to cage yourself to him or have him sign an ownership contract on you if you'd like," Agape was seething as she spoke. She was never one to speak mindless because of something as simple as anger, but today she couldn't stop herself. "But never, ever, take my son with you. You can drop him off at the old lady's house whenever you feel the need to be a sacrificial offering to your god."

Her words hurt more than anything. They tore a hole in Ariel's heart and Ariel's tears were fighting to come to light. She did not want to cry in Agape's presence.

Especially when Agape thought she was so weak.

"Okay," Ariel's voice cracked as she spoke.

"I'm taking Jasper out for lunch. I'm sure he didn't give you any food so you can come along if you'd like."

"No, thank you. I'm fine on my own," even Ariel didn't believe her own words, but when Agape shot her a look of disbelief she couldn't bring herself to call Ariel out.

"Okay. We're leaving."

And just like that Agape walked away from Ariel. But in Ariel's head, Agape was never coming back.

××

Ariel was in the bath that afternoon.

It was the first time she had set up a bath for herself in a week. Agape did it for her all the time.

It was much easier to cry now that Agape was gone. Crying was all she was good for anyway.

She nearly choked on her own tears as they streamed down her cheeks. Deep down she knew Agape would never leave her. She knew Agape would rather be angry than leave her childhood friend.

She had given up her family, her inheritance, her heritage. Because of what? She wanted to see a man happy.

She could remember how Agape had begged her. Agape had begged her not to leave while they were on a phone call.

Agape knew there would be no turning back.

Ariel was still living a fairytale with Nick as her prince charming. Her knight in shining armour.

She cried even harder and her soapy fingers rested on her face. She couldn't believe herself - she had been so foolish.

Her shoulders shook violently and she cried until her throat dried, until her eyes were too tired to cry anymore. And without caring, still in the bathtub, she rested her head to fall into a deep slumber.

Agape had once told her that pain made people change. Agape had been right all along.

She always had.

×××

"Jasper! Get me a towel! Hurry. Come on, Ariel. Come on don't do this to me."

The little boy rushed over to his mother with a large towel - the look of fear and anxiety on his mother's face enough to tell him something was wrong.

He looked over his mother shoulder as she knelt by the bathtub.

His Aunt Ariel was fast asleep. Her bare skin was fully revealed once his mother drained the water that was in the bathtub.

Jasper used his small hands to cover his eyes. He could remember the time he had accidentally walked into the girls bathroom at the mall, his mother had dragged him out in time, but hadn't saved him one of her lectures. You can't look at people bare without them knowing, it's wrong and it makes you a coward, do you understand? Next time if you're in a situation like that, just close your eyes, say sorry and walk away.

He didn't want to do that to his Aunt Ariel.

She was hurt enough.

"Come on, Ariel," he didn't once open his eyes when his mother grunted from time to time. That was until the loud sound of coughing sounded.

It was like his Aunt Ariel was vomitting.

"My chest hurts," he heard his Aunt croak out.

"That's because you decided to fall asleep in the bathtub!" The towel was snatched away from Jasper's little hands and Agape slowly removed his hands from his face.

She smiled at him. "Honey, you've done well," she kissed his forehead. "Go watch something on my phone in the room, okay? I need to help you Aunt Ariel."

She needed to be with her alone. He understood. He looked at his Aunt one more time - her face looked too pale, her lips chapped, her long strawberry blonde hair was drenched wet in water. She was shivering.

Maybe this was just what she needed to be happy. So he waved his Aunt goodbye.