THE FIRST TWO TIMES, Amora shrugged it off. Perhaps it was just a wrong number. 

But then it came again. 

And again. 

With a huff, she shut her book, all progress lost, and tossed it at her feet. "Are you gonna answer that?"

Willow sighed as she rubbed her arms. From head to toe, her bruises were now a faded brown and left unbandaged. As for her oxygen mask, it had been taken away yesterday. "You mean the phone?"

"Yeah, the phone."

Willow pushed a button beside her bed, then reclined upright, slow and steady. "I've just been ignoring it."

The television, looming from above, murmured in the background. 

Amora reached for the remote and hit 'pause'. Then, maintaining eye contact, she sank back into the plastic chair. "That number - it keeps ringing you. It must be important."

Willow shook her head, stiff. "Probably a telemarketer. I'm not expecting phone calls, anyway."

Amora, with a small nod, leaned in. "Willow, can I ask you something?"

Willow hung her head. "Depends what it is..."

Amora peered around the room, then at the door. Faya was still gone. So, turning back to her, she cleared her throat. "You've been awake two days and insist this was an accident... but now's your chance to tell me the truth."

For a moment, Willow stared back with a flushed face. "Is it- is it really that hard to believe?"

"Yes."

"As I said, I went to that lake after leaving a note for you. I'd knew you'd find it and remember. Since you were taking so long, though, I went in myself."

"And drowned," Amora finished. "So that's still your story?"

Willow huffed. "It's not just a story. You're lucky you saved me that night. I could say a thing or two right now."

Amora remained quiet. 

"The past couple days you've just been sitting there, silently judging me. I'm tired of it." 

Amora dropped her gaze, repositioned, then returned the look. "I'd love to believe you, I really would, but you apologized, Willow. When you woke up, you gestured me close and apologized, so how else am I supposed to interpret it?"

Willow exhaled as she blinked back tears. "I was loopy."

"Loopy, huh?"

"Yeah, that's what I said." Then, staring back, she gritted her teeth. "Either shut your mouth or leave me alone! Please, I'm sick of that face; of all that pity!"

"I found something, Willow." After looking her over for a sign - anything - Amora dug into her pocket. "I found this at the lake."

That was when the door opened.

It was Amora's turn to exhale. Shoving it back inside, she turned to the door and smiled. "Faya, you're back. Got any snacks? You know how I get when I'm hungry."

"Oh, you don't need to remind me about yesterday. You really fired at that doctor, who was only trying to help, by the way."

"I'm not about to keep silent when he tells me-" Then Amora paused, shaking her head. "Willow will walk again, I'm sure of it. Her brain just needs a little time."

Faya sighed as she wandered to Willow's bedside, then stopped and looked both over. "Did I miss something? You two look a little frazzled."

Amora reached for the book at her feet. Her page was unmarked, but she hated reading, anyway. It was only to distract her from-

"Willow?"

Amora lifted her head. "What's going on?"

Faya, arms crossed, stepped back and huffed. "Yeah, that's what I'm wondering. I can't leave you two alone, can I?" She dug into her pocket, revealing a chocolate bar with nuts. "Here, Willow, I got this for you. You're favorite."

Willow managed a smile and accepted it. Instead of undoing the wrapper, though, she set it aside and fidgeted. "It's been days. I'll learn to walk again soon, so could you guys leave? Maybe just for a while? It's weird having no privacy..."

Faya cocked her head, searching her, then closed her mouth. "Maybe you're right. I've got some business to attend to, anyway. All this time off work isn't helping anyone... but just call me whenever, okay? Don't hesitate."

Willow smiled and nodded. "Thank you for being such a great friend. You've always been there for me." Then she gestured to the door. "You may not be at my bedside, but I know you're a phone call away."

A beat passed.

"See you later, okay? Between Amora and I, you'll always have someone." Faya looked to Amora, then back at her. "Goodbye, Willow." With that, she began for the door when-

The phone rang again.

With a drawn-out sigh, Willow reached for it and gasped. After swiping at the screen, all went silent, and she began to type. 

Faya was now turned, hand over heart. "What is it?"

Willow giggled. "Remember that guy from the speed-dating event? It's been him all along!"

So Faya knew about him, too. Amora cleared her throat. "He hasn't tried calling or anything for days, so I just assumed you guys broke up."

"I thought so, too." Willow bit her lip. "I knew he was a keeper."

"What about that guy you met at the store after the event?" Amora prodded. "You said he was cute and got his number."

"He gave me a random number. I was scammed."

Faya chuckled, waving her off. "Well, I can see you're just fine now." Then, after another beat, she started off but lingered in the doorway. "Bye, Willow."

"Bye, Faya."

-

"Willow?" 

Willow remained silent as she scrolled through her phone. 

Amora looked her over, tracing the item in her pocket. Then, with a huff, she leaned in. "Are you listening to me?"

Willow scoffed. "Why would I listen when you never listen to me?"

"What's that supposed to me?"

This time, she lifted her head and stared. "Remember an hour ago? I said I wanted privacy. My good friend Faya left, but did you?"

"No..."

"That was rhetorical!"

For a moment, the room fell quiet, each locked in on the other. 

A beat passed. 

And then another. 

"Or m-maybe you're just losing your mind, like your mother. I know how bad her Alzheimer's is and I also know it's inherited." Willow, with a low chuckle, dropped her gaze. "This was a mistake. You shouldn't have saved me."

Amora resisted choice words. "Look at me."

"No."

"I said look at me!"

Taken aback, Willow flinched and met her face. A single tear fell. "What do you want from me?"

Amora gritted her teeth as she dug into her pocket. "See this?" Then she held it up: the pill bottle. "I found this at the lake. I'm tired of the deceit, so tell me the truth." 

All air was sucked out of the room. 

Willow shuffled back. "Just leave, now."

"But-"

"Now!" Her face was flushed, breaths short and ragged. "I-I shouldn't have left that note for you... I should have just done it."

With that, Amora stood and neared her bedside, slow but even. As she looked down, head tilted, she mustered a smile. "I'd do it all over again."

"But it was perfect, Amora. It was right back to where it all started: the lake." Willow began to rock, hands around knees. "Don't you remember all those years ago?"

"It was where we first met."

"Exactly. And it was where your puppy, Nara, died..."

Amora dropped then leveled her gaze. She couldn't lose character; not when her friend needed her. "Well, at least I saved yo-"

"But you can't save everybody."

A beat passed. 

Amora exhaled, looking her over. "Willow, you were there when I needed you, right? When I needed a friend?"

Willow remained silent. 

"My best friend, Faya, had just moved and I was friendless... You were the one who offered that handshake; you were the one who started a lifelong friendship." Amora wiped at her face. "I was in a rut and you pulled me out. It's time for me to return the gesture, so please, let me help you."

Willow gave a low chuckle. Then, all-too-sudden, she went quiet and searched her. "Amora?"

"Yeah?"

"Does this mean you forgive me... for setting you and Bridger up?"

Amora's breath hitched. Then, after a pause, she lunged in with a tight hug. "I should have forgiven you years ago."

Willow tensed, then hugged back, head on shoulder. "Can we start over?"

"I'd love to."

Hey there! I hope this chapter was enjoyable. If there's anything I need to improve on, please let me know. The more criticism, the better! Anyway, I didn't get through everything I was planning for in this chapter, but I think this was a nice ending. It was supposed to be titled 'Red Flags', but now that'd be the next one. 

Anyway, time for another interrogation! As always, feel free to skip this:

1) What's an interesting story that happened to you and/or a loved one?

2) What is/was your favorite subject in school?

3) What are your favorite tv shows?

Well, that wraps it up. I hope you're well and God bless. <3