For once her life, Keanu's mother felt relief. The constant anxiety, the fear, and the pain seemed to wash away for a moment. Instead, pure joy filled her body and she turned to curly-haired boy across the dining room table from her. 

There was Yellowbooks, library books, and anything you can think of that had anything to do with the Hanahaki disease and with the authors of The Petals of Daffodils. The authors, Nagito Tanaka and Lucille Parker, had finally been found. 

"I think I found them, Alex!" She exclaimed, feeling a tiny speck of hope come back to life. 

"The authors?" Alex asked, the optimism raising in his voice. 

"Yes!" Keanu's mother exclaimed, peering down at the Yellowbook in front of her. Soon everything was going to be okay again. 

"Let's see...They're all the way in New York." Keanu's mother mumbled, glancing at the information about Dr. Parker and Dr. Tanaka. 

"Maybe you should call, see if they're willing to help." Alex suggested. 

"They better help else or else!" The older woman muttered, standing up and hurrying to the telephone to make a very important call. 

After convincing both his mother and Alex he would be fine, Keanu managed to leave his house to some fresh air. He was walking down the neighborhood, just taking in the view and appreciating the small things in life. He isn't quite sure if he'll have this opportunity again, especially if there is no help. 

"Keanu. Hey, Keanu!" A familiar soft voice called out, and Keanu panicked. Of course, he had to pass Ren's house right when she was outside. 

But nevertheless he stopped and smiled at the brunette, she still looked beautiful. I mean, a few months didn't change that, it just changed their friendship. 

"Hi Ren." Keanu greeted with a wave, and she smiled in return. She's noticed the subtle changes, and she realizes, he really does look sick. 

He's almost the mirror of the person she used to see everyday to buy comics with. Ren walks down her porch steps and towards Keanu, gazing up at him once she finally reaches him. 

It hurts is the first thing Keanu thinks. He doesn't want to cough in front of Ren, that would horrifying to explain. He just hopes the moment will be brief and bearable. 

"How have you been? I haven't seen you in awhile." Ren comments, and for a split moment, Keanu let's his irritation gets the best of him. 

"I figured that happens when you stop answering my calls." Keanu replies, noticing how Ren looks away, perhaps from shame. 

"I'm sorry Keanu, you I'm just—" Ren starts saying quickly, but she's cut off by Keanu.

"Busy? Busy with River?" Keanu finishes for her, and all he feels is some sort of anger. Anger towards himself, towards River and Ren, towards the whole damn world. 

But Ren frowns, "Keanu, please don't be like that. I thought you would've been supportive of us." 

"I don't know if this is some sort of sick revenge, Ren. I know I fucked up, and I'm so sorry. I know I should've paid more attention to you when I was with Jennifer. You told me to not be a stranger, but guess what? Now, you're the stranger! I don't understand what you want from me or if you even want me at all." Keanu maunder out, feeling a small bit of relief of having some of his suppressed feelings come out. 

And suddenly, a wave of guilt washes all over Ren, as she continues to stare at Keanu. Deep down, Ren was aware of her actions and changes of feelings towards Keanu, but it didn't truly hurt until he confronted her about it. Keanu looks pale and miserable, almost as he's hanging on to a small thread that's ready to snap. 

She wasn't too sure what she wanted, or if she was ready to answer Keanu's question. It felt so good to kiss River, have him hold her, and read comics with him, she forgot how much she wanted to do that with Keanu too. But the urge for Keanu wasn't as strong before, or at least Ren didn't so. 

"Look Ren, maybe we shouldn't see each other anymore." Keanu choked out, resisting the urge puking petals in front of Ren. She didn't need to know about his condition at all, Keanu didn't want Ren to feel sad or guilty. It's not her fault that he's in love with her. 

"What? Keanu, what on earth are you talking about?" Ren questioned in shock, feeling anguished about the outrageous suggestion. 

"After today, we shouldn't see each other anymore." Keanu says, after swallowing down the petals. Perhaps if he stopped seeing Ren, he might stop coughing these damn flowers up. He'll switch schools, move out of town, who knows. 

Out of emotional stress, Keanu pulls out his lighter and cigarette. He doesn't smoke much, unless it's desperately needed like it is now. Ren is tempted to cry, mostly because her childhood  friendship is dying. 

She sits down on the curb, her hands in her face. She wanted to know why he was leaving, was she really that bad. Keanu follows her action, sitting down next to her. 

Ren lets out a heavy sigh, "How did things become so fucked up?" But she knew the truth, things became bad when she started developing feelings–romantic feelings for both River and Keanu.

"We stopped talking." Keanu replies, taking a drag of his cigarette. He knew she hated the smell of cigarettes; almost as much as she hated how that he smoked them in the first place.

"Yeah, I guess we did." Ren mutters, thinking back before everything went to complete shit.

Life had been simpler back then, especially when the two of them were just kids. Ren didn't worry about love, especially not when cooties existed. But they grew up, met new people, and things started to change for better or worst.

But it's too late now. Things are different now, and the only thing they can focus on is what happens next.

"What happens now? What will you do when I'm gone?" Keanu asks, glancing at the brunette next to him.

"I wish I knew." Ren spoke softly, looking right back at her best friend.

Her best friend, the one she loved, and the one she ignored. She wanted to scream and kick, yell was he was leaving. But she didn't and they spent that moment together, watching the sunset together for once last time. 

"Ren, before I go, I just wanted to tell you I'm in love with you." 

•••

Author's note: 

Don't you love sadness and cliffhangers ? Because I do. I apologize for any grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors!  Also, sorry this is short!