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It was almost evening when Melinda got back home from work. She just dropped her jacket on her floor, walked to the living room and plopped down on the couch, spent. She leaned backward and closed her eyes.
"Oh, my goddess, that was a day and a half," she said aloud. She pulled out her phone. Not a lot going on, just a few messages.
(Émilie) Yeah, sure. I don’t really have anything planned for the weekend.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2kIz02n3U
(Émilie)… anymore. Now that… 49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWv0cx6D2c
(Émilie) Sorry, I must be a bother for you.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGvlhlz8b0
(Émilie) I understand if you wanna take that offer back, I’m horrible company at the moment.
It was like something twisted inside Melinda as her fingers flew to answer the messages. No, she wasn’t a bother! At all! On the contrary, she… well, she was my friend… wasn’t she? Right? Or did I want something more…?
(Melinda) You’re not a bother! And I’m really, really sorry for reminding you about that. Truly, Emi. I’m sorry. I will not take the offer back, if that’s okay with you. I’m free any day, so whenever you want to… just let me know.
She put the phone on her table and leaned back again. What is it that I want from her? She thought. Do I want to stay as her friend, or do I want something more…? And if I do, what ‘more’ do I mean? Do I want to be her BFF, or…
She almost jumped out of her skin when her phone went ‘ping’ on the table. She grabbed it and quickly opened her messages.
(Émilie) Thank you, Mel. I really needed that. You do know I appreciate you being my friend a whole lot. It’s just that… there’s so much on my mind now and I can’t do this alone… thanks for being there, Mel.
Melinda felt a lump in her throat and swallowed hard. Her fingers were typing already, before she had even noticed it herself.
(Melinda) Anytime, Emi. If you feel like it, even if it’s 3 am, just shoot a message or call.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdSV6DLvwu
(Melinda) How’re you holding up now?
She looked at the screen and before she even had time to put it down, a new message arrived.
(Émilie) I’m… alright, I don’t wanna lie to you. To be honest, not that well. The reality is starting to hit me. I’ve been crying my eyes out for the last two hours. This is the first night without… without her… without us being… ‘us’. To be fair, Mel, I’m not taking it too well. 49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y9idiAMVM
(Melinda) If there’s anything…! ANYTHING you want me to do, just say it, Emi. 49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZNHgxgmgI
(Melinda) You’ve always been sensitive, and heartbreaks bring you down so much, I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through now. I’ve never had my heart broken like that. I’m so sorry I can’t do more…49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRvbRiMQOe
(Émilie) If I’m honest, there is one thing… But…49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3BeZPuD6W
(Melinda) Emi. Just spit it out. I said anything; I meant *anything*!49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hq9HUJ91c
(Émilie) I… I don’t wanna be alone, Mel. It’s tearing me apart, being here with just my thoughts.49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU7CRV8nJt
(Émilie) Could I… 49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHa3fo1MjC
(Émilie) nvm, that’s too much to ask. Just forget about it.
Melinda felt her own eyes water. She jumped up from the couch and grabbed her jacket, the day’s tiredness fading to a memory and being replaced by worry about her friend.
While running out and to her car, she shot Émilie a quick message and then threw the phone in her pocket and started driving.
(Melinda) Pack up, I’m on my way.
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