SHE COULDN'T DO IT.

She couldn't clean up the broken pieces. 

Leaned forward, Amora stared at it from the couch, rubbing her temple. It was already well into the evening, darkness seeping inside, but she still couldn't do it. She wasn't ready to clean up the shattered glass because it would just hurt too much. 

But that wasn't the only thing she couldn't do. 

Digging through her pocket, she pulled out her phone and sighed. Her mother had told her earlier that day of her nightmare about Willow. Soon after, she left the place, determined to check in on her, but after that fight, she couldn't will herself to dial the number. 

Amora scrolled through her contacts until she saw it: Willow's name. After a moment, she pressed 'call' and it went straight to voicemail. 

At this, she gritted her teeth, tossing the phone aside. Willow would always answer her, whether it be night or day; this was a first. "Well," she mumbled, "it's about time you have the courage to block me." 

After Amora stood, wiping her face, she trudged down the hallway and into her bedroom. After rummaging through her closet, she felt the glass bottle, pulled it out, and smiled. It had been a while since she'd been this down, so the alcohol was covered with dust. Slowly, she cleared it off as she contemplated. 

In the next moment, Amora returned it with a toss. I'm better than this, she mused. I don't need to-

That was when she heard it. Amora gave a small smile as she stood, thinking back to that night. Then, hugging herself, she made way for the living room, drew near, and pressed a hand against the glass. 

I liked the rain too, Bridger. 

-

Five years ago

She firmly held the roses, her hands white. When the engine turned off, she looked around, wondering if it was too late to run. Maybe Willow didn't know as much as she thought; maybe this would only scar her for life. 

Amora shivered. 

Slowly, a black-hooded figure emerged from the car. 

If she wasn't frozen, heart pounding, she'd have been long gone by now. If-

"Who are you?" came a low, gravelly voice. "Are you... Willow?" 

As they drew near, Amora could only struggle for words. "Willow" - she swallowed hard - "brought me here."

After coming forward, the figure stopped, creating a distance. "You're not her," they finally scoffed. "You're just that girl who's always late." 

Amora looked to her feet, tears welling up. "You're upset again, aren't you?"

For a moment, the figure tried to catch her gaze, before yanking their hoodie away. "Do I look mad to you?" he hissed, but then his face softened. "You're not going to try this again, right? Whatever this is?"

Amora kicked at stray wood chips. "No..."

Then, in the next moment, he turned, about the leave. "Goodbye, Amora."

"Goodnight, Bridger," Amora mumbled, but suddenly set her jaw. I might as well make the most of it. "December 18th, 2014."

"What?" Bridger slowly turned, mouth hanging. "What did you say?"

"It was the day you helped Liam escape a bully," she said, staring off. "Remember Pete O'brim? Remember him? He shoved defenseless Liam against a locker and walked off, snickering. Everyone laughed with him."

"I don't see how this has to do with anyth-"

"You were the only one who came forward, Bridger. You helped him collect his papers, not caring what others thought. You were the only student to show some empathy."

"I-"

"And it was also the day I started liking you." Amora's eyes turned cold. "So, Bridger, if you want to walk off this time, fine, be my guest. All I know is this"- she gestured around -"isn't what I wanted."

Bridger only stared back, brows pinched. "How... do you know the exact date?"

"Because," she said, flailing her arms, "I like you!" Then she dropped the roses and smashed them with a shoe. "At least now I know you're not worth it." As she marched off, clinging to her straps, she wiped at her face. 

"Wait."

Amora paused, back to him, sniffling. "What?"

"Come back." His tone had softened. "I need to tell you something."

Amora hugged herself, shivering, as she inched around. "What is it?"

"We broke up." Bridger averted his gaze. "Faya and I are done, but you already know this, don't you? You two set this up after hearing the news." Then he looked away, trying to compose himself. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have tried again."

"Bridger?" Amora said stiffly. "I didn't know, but I'm sorry."

"Yeah," he scoffed, "I bet you are."

"You know what's sad, Bridger?" she went on, chuckling dryly. "When you snapped at me, and rightfully so for trying to get with you, I only admired you more. It showed that you valued your relationship with Faya. It reminded me that you're a better person than I could ever be."

"Oh, shut it," Bridger said, searching her face. "You really think I'm a good person?"

"Yes."

With that, he dug through his bag and studied her. "Then why do I still have this?" Suddenly, he took out a paper, tossing his bag aside. "Recognize this?"

"It's..." she trailed, taken aback, "my note."

"Yeah."

"You kept it!"

"Which means I'm not as good a person as you thought I was." He sighed, shifting on his feet. "We got off on the wrong foot, but I'm not sure I want to try again. I'm sorry."

"Well," Amora said, retracing her steps, "you're now single, so it's no longer wrong." Then she picked up the roses, now crumbled, and tried to straighten them. "If you're sure, though, I understand."

"I don't know, Amora."

Mustering a smile, she gently took his hand, placed one inside, and wrapped it up. "Okay, well, I can live with that."

"Goodnight, Amora."

"Goodbye, Bridger." But then she cleared her throat. "You know, I also like the rain. Always did."

For a long moment, Bridger stared ahead, then met her gaze in the next. "Willow told you I loved it, didn't she?" he asked, giving a small smile. "It really had to be tonight, didn't it?" 

Amora nodded, smiling softly back. "It doesn't rain here much."

"It's a shame," he mused. "Always hated it."

"Ever hear of Fiesta Cancun? That Mexican restaurant?"

Bridger lowered his gaze, sighed, then lifted his head. "You're not going to let this go, are you?" When she remained silent, he gave a small chuckle. "I'm very free, but the problem is I'm not much for Mexican food. Or for you."

Amora laughed, despite herself.

In response, his smile left, and he crossed his arms. "You mentioned before that it was your last chance. Well, this is your last chance. I'm free on Saturday and we'll go from there, but you must promise me something."

"What?"

"You must promise me that if it doesn't work, you'll let it go. That this will then be a one-time thing."

"Okay." She swallowed hard. "I promise."

He looked at her, nodding, then back to his car. "Well, see you on Saturday."

"Wait!" Amora said, catching his gaze. "Just... wait."

"What?"

Before he could react, Amora came forward and kissed him softly on the lips. After drawing back, she kicked at the wood chips, watching him. "I may not get to do it later. For all I know, you might bail on me."

Bridger stiffened, then cleared his throat. "Bye, Amora."

"Goodbye, Bridger." As he turned to leave, Amora saw him stifle a smirk, reaching for his bag. Little did she know, it would be his last one; his last smile. 

-

Present time

Ruff.

Amora jolted away from the window. Hands on hips, she forced a frown as she turned. 

From within the gate, left wide-open, Nara stared right back, her worn collar in her mouth. That was when she shivered, knowing full-well that it was still in her bedroom. This was impossi-

It's time to move on, she reminded herself. It's time to let go. 

It was time to drop the act. 

After closing her eyes, willing her away, Amora sighed heavily. Once more, she was alone, just as she was all along. "Well, I have you two are reunited. He was a better owner than I ever was."

As she stood there, struggling, Amora turned in the direction of her bedroom. Maybe that alcohol wasn't such a bad idea.

However, that was when something caught her eye. The broken pieces - they were just under her. "Bad time to be barefoot." Her tone was dry. "You could have cut yourself." The longer she stared, though, the more her blood boiled. 

I was the one who deserved better. 

In the next beat, Amora pulled out her phone, scrolled through the contacts, then gritted her teeth. Willow. It used to be a name she loved, despite their differences. Not anymore. After contemplating, she clicked 'call' and waited for voicemail. 

It was time for her to get the last say. 

"You go ahead, Willow. Block me. Just know that in the end, it was me," Amora hissed. "I'm the one who ended our friendship, not you." Then she kicked at broken glass. "Oh, and Willow? I'm losing your number for the second time. Only now, it's really over."

As she hung up, sniffling, her gaze drifted to the door. Then, after drawing near, she grabbed her leathered jacket from the hanging rack and twisted the knob. You can't ignore me if I come to you.

-

It got progressively worse. 

Hands white, Amora squinted at the road, lightning teasing from above. All the while, she contemplated what she'd say, word-for-word, only to draft it each time. It just didn't do her justice. But if she was really right, why was this so difficult?

She gritted her teeth. More importantly, why was Willow so difficult? Why would-

Suddenly, time stopped. 

When she swerved on the highway, nearly ramming into another vehicle, her heart skipped a beat. On any normal occasion, she'd have freaked out and turned around. However, she couldn't; not when she needed to last say. 

That was when Amora glanced down at that passenger seat. "If not for you, I would be home by now. Probably would have turned back after the first couple minutes..." She chuckled dryly. "Maybe you weren't such a bad idea, after all."

The alcohol. She had drunk just enough to calm herself down; no more, no less. 

"I...I remember the first time," Amora said, gripping the wheel. "That was many years ago." Then she glanced its way and sighed. "Geez, you always make me depressed..."

The next few minutes would creep by, as if time was in slow motion. As she merged from the highway, tapping a thumb, she shivered. It wasn't from the chill air, but the anticipation. 

 Suddenly, there was a low rumble, then a streak of lightning from above. 

Amora shivered again. 

When it was time, she slowly pulled up to the curb, gathering her thoughts. For some reason, her speech didn't sound as convincing when said aloud. A moment more, however, and she was outside, slamming the door shut. 

Amora was already committed. 

At the door, though, she paused, then stepped back. Her balcony appeared vacant, its rail bars rusty and dented. Typical. 

Willow had lived in this apartment complex for the last five years, fresh out of high school. From the bottom floor up, it was built of brick, now faded with age, and designed with a balcony per room. Without fail, the musty smell from within would make her sick. 

This time was no exception. 

Hand to mouth, Amora scrunched up her nose as she ascended the stairs. She was known for being sensitive to smell. When it would go unnoticed to most, she would take note. After arriving at the second story, she stopped and sighed. I can still remember every detail of that night, Bridger... Every scent. 

She knocked. 

There was no answer or movement. 

This time, she knocked harder, hands in fists. "Open up, Willow, I know you're in there!"

In return, a pair of footsteps came her way. There was silence, then a huff. "What do you want, Amora?"

"I want you to open this door! We need to talk."

"No, you need to go," Willow sneered. 

"No, I-"

Suddenly, the door flew open, but Willow stayed halfway inside. For a moment, she searched her face, her own crumbled. "Well, congratulations. You can now see me, but now you don't."

"Wait," Amora said, wedging a foot, "I need to know something."

Willow sighed, then nudged the door open all the way. "What do you want?"

"Is it true? Did you block me?"

She nodded stiffly. "Yes, karma hurts, doesn't it? Well, bye, Amora. I've got a life."

"Listen, I'm sorry," Amora said, shifting. "All those years ago, I shouldn't have blocked you. I'm sorry."

Willow scoffed. "Yes, as I said, karma hurts, huh? Oh, by the way, I thought I looked rough. You should take a look in the mirror."

"Willow-"

"You've been drinking. I can tell by your eyes." Willow forced a chuckle, arms crossed. "You can't live without me, admit it."

Amora paled, stumbled for words, then looked her over. "Yeah, well, at least I'm not in my pajamas..."

"Just admit it, Amora. I was the best thing to ever happen to you."

Amora stiffened under her glare. "Listen, I'm the one, Willow," she hissed, pointing to her chest. "I'm the one who blocked you first, so don't you dare say I needed you; that I relied on you. I know how much it hurt. I know it stung when you realized. Back then, our friendship hung by a thread because you were only convenient. Now is no different. So no, Willow, I never needed you."

She swallowed hard but kept her gaze steady. "Amora, get out now. I'm not telling you again."

"And you know what else, Willow?" Amora went on, holding back tears. "It's on you that he died. You are the one who set us up; not me. If not for that one night, I wouldn't have kissed him... a-and I wouldn't have asked to meet up. His death is all your fault."

"You just admitted that it's on you," Willow snickered, but the first tear fell. "I set you up, sure, but you ultimately killed him. You're the one that asked about Fiesta Cancun." With that, she slammed the door shut, sniffling. "Our chapter ends here, Amora. It's time you make a new one."

It must be karma, Amora realized. She had done the same thing to Faya. When her friend called her, at her most vulnerable, she had blocked her. All because of that one night. 

Karma really does suck. 

Hey, everyone! I hope you liked this chapter. If you've got questions, I'd love to hear them. As always, please feel free to point out any faults you find in this story. The more, the better! 

Anyway, it's time for our interrogation. *rubs hands together*

1) How many drafted stories do you have?

2) Do you normally write some parts, or the whole story, before publishing?

Yeah, these might seem like weird question, but I've been a bit curious, lol. Anyway, as always I hope you're doing well and God bless. <3