It was getting colder by the day. It was the end of November, when they started saying it would be snowing soon. Eden loved the snow; white, cold, a little star melting on the palm of her hand.

Though she was ecstatic about the upcoming cold, she wasn't so sure her grandmother was going to live to see it. She wasn't getting better, but she still wasn't getting worse.

Eden spent her days taking care of her, and when she was in school, she had nothing else to do than to ask Gracie, the widow next door, to check on her once in a while. Gracie was a kind woman with a angelic smile, but sadness in her eyes and fear in her step. Ever since her husband, Gracie didn't talk; strange, what love does to a person.

She rarely slept; and when she did, she'd jolt out of bed often, making sure to check on Nana again. Ace was there almost every day. Even if he was cramped, he'd come just to see if she was okay.

Ace, unlike Eden, had a future planned; a bright one. He was a excellent student, no doubt he'd get into any college he wished for. He was hard working, and had potential for almost anything. For what she knew, he had a stable life; a nice family and good friends.

Eden seemed to feel as if she was the only downside in his life; she had no money, and worked at bars at night (which, of course, Ace didn't know). She was never really smiling, and she was a pretty cynical and depressed person all together.

But the thing Eden had that kept Ace coming back to her is this quality she possessed, the one that shone in her eyes; the understanding she had for everything and how she cared if he had eaten and slept well, while she was practically starving. Eden never asked too many questions, and she kept reaching out for any opportunity she could. She fought with whatever life had thrown at her; and Ace found that admirable.

But what he didn't see is that she had no choice.

Ace didn't totally see how bad her situation was. For that there was a simple reason; she didn't want him to. Although he came every day, he would always try to help Eden without her really noticing because, even subconsciously, Eden didn't allow anyone to help her.

But this particular Saturday afternoon, when the sky was getting a little darker by the moment, Eden was sat at the bottom of her grandmother's bed. Ace didn't come that day; he usually came in the morning on weekends.

The only reason she craved his presence was the comfort and security he brought; and hope. Ace sparked hope in her life every time his eyes skimmed over her. She felt as if there was more to this life than just getting through it.

And this afternoon, she was feeling dead. The mint tea she drank had left a bitter aftertaste in her mouth; her legs were sore from working last night. The candles all around her grandmother's bed were almost completely melted. Her eyes stung, like needles were piercing through them.

Eden needed to see him; she needed to, just for a moment, rest her eyes no him and feel comfort. And she realized how easy it was for him to be gone. For him to just decide not to come; she wouldn't blame if he decided not to. She wouldn't because if she had a choice, she wouldn't be with herself either.

She leaned her head on the high bed rest, bringing her knees closer to her chest.

"I don't see why you're sitting there and watching over me like a hawk. I can't even move, don't be scared of me running away," Nana spoke, the sudden calmness in her voice making Eden feel like she was talking to the woman she owed her life to.

"I'm not," Eden said. "I just don't want you to be alone."

"Lies," Nana said with a sigh. "You don't want to be alone."

Eden knew her words were true, so she didn't argue over it.

"You know, you remind me of my granddaughter. She was always scared of being left alone," Nana spoke, and there was a small smile on her face as she did. The candles threw light right at her, making her look like an angel. She looked like a painting, sad but beautiful, in between it all; life and death, sleep and reality.

"She also had that hair you do, dark and in contrast with her face. And that scar of yours, it's painful to look at sometimes. Though girl, you look really tired. Your eyes are red, too. Hers were this honey caramel color. Oh, what I'd give to see them again," Nana said.

"And if you'd come to see that I was her. Your Eden, I mean," Eden said. By now the clock had striked six. Eden was certain he wouldn't come.

"Don't be silly, girl. She died a long time ago."

Why did Eden feel as if she really did?

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