WARNING: UPSETTING CONTENT

NOTE: PLEASE DO THE INTERACTIVE BIT AT THE END, AND COMMENT IF YOU CAN! I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS.

Esther, Olivia and Arden stared at the sign on the door that read
'no support group sessions until further notice.'

"Good", said Arden.
"About time."

"It's only been a couple of sessions", said Liv.
"Maybe she would've gotten better if we actually gave her a chance?"

"I thought Rory was your friend?", asked Arden.

"I like the guy.
But I barely know him", said Liv.
"Still.
What happened to him was out of order."

"So why are you defending Aaronson?"

"Because she's out of her depth.
She's trying to help but she keeps getting it wrong.
I mean, we all know what it's like to have people walk on eggshells around us", explained Liv.

Esther agreed with Liv.
As much as she disliked what Miss Aaronson did, she knew that this was all new to Miss Aaronson too.

"So what do we do now?", asked Esther.

"I'm going to the skate park.
Later losers", said Arden, before walking away.

Esther watched as Arden left.
She wanted to spend more time with Liv.
After all, she wasn't supposed to be home for a hours.
But Rabbi Levinson's words echoed in her head.

"I've lived here for 13 years and I've never been to the skate park", said Liv.

"Well, I could show you if you like?", asked Esther.

Liv smiled.
"Thanks!"

The pair opted to walk to the skate park, which wasn't very far from the Synagogue.

"So, how are you doing?
Like, really doing?", asked Esther.

Liv sighed.
"Not good, to be honest.
I keep thinking that we could've done more to help Rory."

"Me too!", agreed Esther.
"I keep replaying that day in my head."

"Arden tore Miss Aaronson a new one", said Liv.
"I wasn't sure how to feel about them at first, then I liked them.
Now I'm not so sure."

"I know, right?
I mean, I didn't really like Arden until they shouted at Miss Aaronson.
Now I think maybe I got them all wrong."

Liv shrugged.
"I'm still on the fence."

"Well, atleast we'll have each other to vent to", said Esther, earning a smile from Liv.

Liv's phone vibrated, pulling her away from the conversation.
The frown that appeared on her face worried Esther.

"Is everything ok?"

Liv sighed.
"It's my sister.
She's had the worst day and she needs me at home."

Esther frowned.
"Oh no, I hope she's ok.
I'll call a taxi for you to-"

"-No, it's fine, don't worry.
I'll just get the bus.
If I need help I'll just ask for directions. Thanks though."

Esther wasn't quite convinced, but she nodded.
"Oh, ok then.
Text me if you need anything.
I've got the best selection of comedy movies to watch when you're sad."

Liv chuckled.
"Thanks, Esther."

______________________________

When Liv left, Esther wasn't sure what to do next.
She didn't want to impose on her parents' alone time, especially since it was rare for neither her nor Isaac to be away from home for long.

A can of spray paint rolled towards Esther.
Curious, she picked it up and looked at the can.

"Hey, give that back", said Arden.

Esther jumped, earning an amused look from Arden.
"This is yours?"

"Yeah, got a problem with that?"

"No, I- just curious, that's all."

Arden nodded, before grabbing the can out of Esther's hands.
She watched as Arden made their way over to Camryn's art design for Darius.

"Can't stand fakes", they muttered, before taking the can's lid off.

Esther's eyes widened, and she ran over to them, yanking the spray can out of their hand.
"What the heck?
You can't vandalise!"

Arden looked at Esther like she had done the most outrageous thing in the world.
"What's your problem?"

"What's my problem?
You're ruining my friend's hard work!"

"Your friend?"

"My younger brother's best friend.
She made that for a friend that was going through a rough time.
So please, don't call it fake when you have no idea of her intentions", defended Esther.

Arden remained silent for a few seconds, but they glanced at Camryn's work.
They sighed.
"Sorry.
My mind ran away with me for a minute.
She really did this?"

Esther nodded.
"There are nice people in the world, you know.
I get the feeling that you don't know that."

Arden shrugged.
"When you've got cancer, you stop seeing the world how you used to."

"I can relate to that", said Esther.
"But that doesn't mean you should be mean to other people."

"Save me the lecture, yeah?
I thought you were different."

Esther's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"You did?"

Arden nodded.
"You looked so out of place.
I felt like that too."

"I wasn't- I don't feel like that in the Synagogue."

"Not the Synagogue.
In that group."

"Oh.
Well, I... yeah.
I haven't really socialised much since my diagnosis.
And now I mainly spend my days with my parents and brother, my friend or my boyfriend."

"I keep to myself too", said Arden.
They looked at the spray paint can in Esther's hand.
"Wanna find a better place to paint?"

"Oh!
I um... I can't.
Liv's got a problem and I want to be av-"

Esther's phone vibrated, and she quickly checked it.

Liv: Hey. Don't know if you're still at the skate park but it's sorted.
The thing with my sister.

Esther: Oh, that's good! Yeah, I'm still here. Did you want to hang out?

Liv: I want to stay in case she needs me. She seems pretty happy though.

Esther: Yeah?

Liv: Yeah. But this jerk called her ugly earlier.

Esther: That's horrible!

Liv: Yeah. But she just spent the last 10 minutes telling me about this boy that talked to her at the bus stop. Apparently he was really awkward but he made her laugh a lot.

Esther: Aww, that's so cute! Be prepared to hear all about her future interactions with him.

Liv: Lol speaking from experience?

Esther: Noooo...

Liv: Lol suuure

Esther: Does this godsend of a guy have a name?

Liv: Changing the subject huh? She won't tell me his name. He's got curly hair though.

Esther: That could be anyone!

Liv: I know, I know. I'll get my detective hat on! 🧐

Esther: Haha love that

Liv: Ttyl

"Earth to Esther?", called out Arden.

"Oh!
S-Sorry.
What did you say?"

"Want to spray paint somewhere else?"

Esther thought back to what Rabbi Levinson said.
She knew giving Arden a chance was the right thing to do.

"Sure.
Let's go."

_________________________

Hi!

It looks like Esther's finding some more friends! Are you happy to see her branching out, or do you think she should stick to Nico and Kayden?

What are your thoughts on Liv?

What are your thoughts on Arden?

10 points to those that can guess who Liv's little sister was talking about! I can reveal that it won't be a proper storyline, and was more of a comment, but it does show a nice full-circle moment for the character!

Side note, the next chapter was so fun, but also quite emotional for me to write!

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

Also, feel free to send me your Pinterest usernames if you have Pinterest accounts, and I'll add you to the Theatre Club board!

Also, when do you guys have holidays? I want to work my updating schedule according to when the holidays start.

yeonskosmos

-cherrysvalanxe

CaptainHermioneSwan

The_Slytherclaw

gillioddities

DoodleYeet

starryeyedturtle