When Evy woke up, there was a smell of cinnamon wafting through the house, and she followed her nose down to the kitchen. She found Liv making pancakes and waffles, everything infused with her favourite spice.

“Oh hey Evy, sit down anywhere you like. Breakfast is ready in a minute.”

She felt like Liv was spoiling her, but she gladly accepted if that was the case. Especially after yesterday, she really wanted someone to take care of her. She sat down on a carefully crafted kitchen chair, still wearing the soft flanels. Steam rose from the cup of tea Liv had just poured her, and she let her eyes follow the fleeting vapor, not wanting to think just yet.

“Mom is grocery shopping and Eric is at school, so you have a bit to wake up and eat some,” Liv said, while setting down plate after plate of delicious looking food.

Despite the horrible event she went through only a handful of hours ago, she felt like starving. Some sugar would at least help her kickstart her new path, wherever it may lead. She popped a blueberry coated in cinnamon sugar into her mouth and looked up as Liv sat down next to her.

“How are you feeling?” She asked softly.

Evy gave her a small smile, and yet she also wanted to cry at the same time. The girl seemed to notice. Warm hands were placed on hers, the tender gesture giving her courage to speak.

“Well, maybe a tiny bit better than yesterday. It’s still a lot to process, and knowing myself it will probably take some time for me to function normally again.” 

“Good,” Liv replied, “Every step forward is a step in the right direction, no matter how small or how big that step is. And even if you fall in the process, we’ll be here to help you back up.” She brought Evy’s hands up to her lips and placed a soft kiss on them, much like sealing a promise.

Evy’s heart carefully dared to flutter again, the girl’s soft words and gentle motions slowly helping heal the cracks that had formed last night, bit by bit. She took a bite of the waffles and then the pancakes, wanting her skin to smell like cinnamon after this.

* * * *

Liv had called the two of them in sick for the day and then texted the boys to bring them whatever homework they got asigned for the day. Luckily it was Friday, so Evy had the weekend too before she had to face the world again.

After an uneventful day watching horrible scripted reality TV, playing videogames and helping Liv’s mother with dinner, they met with Evan and Jamie in the evening.

“Did Liv take good care of you?” Jamie asked as he hugged the shorter pink-haired girl, and receiving a nod back.

 She noticed his hands were bandaged up, but as none brought it up and she was still exhausted from the previous day, she decided to not ask any questions about it.

“Good,” Evan said, kissing her forehead.

They were all so kind and caring. Her light started to shine just a bit brighter again.

“Want to watch some anime with us?” Liv asked, patting the seat next to her.

“Sure. We could make it a slumber party if your mom is okay with it?”

“What do you think, Evy?”

She liked that idea. And she wanted to spend more time with the boys too. “I would love to.”

Liv nodded, satisfied by the girl’s answer, and then when on to ask her mother for permission and snacks. When she returned to give the okay, the other three had already gathered everything soft and fluffy in the house. She grinned.

“You guys should be glad my mom isn’t the worst with sleep overs, otherwise you would have to return everything to its original place.”

They gave her a sheepish look that was so comical, Liv couldn’t help but laugh. Soon the others followed.

“So, what are we going to watch?” Jamie asked when they had returned to normal.

“I’ve heard of Konosuba being popular a while back,” Liv sugested, “Though we could also binge some Studio Ghibli movies. Hmm...”

“I’ve heard of Ghibli, but my parents never let me watch anything foreign. So I’m really curious about what the movies are like.”

Evy felt an arm around her shoulders.

“Then it’s time to discover the wonderful world of perfect animation, Evy,” Liv grinned and waved with her hand dramatically.

“Dramaqueen!”

“Dramaqueen!”

Liv stuck out her tongue to the boys who were teasing her and then reached for her DVD collection. Her family was probably one of the few who still owned DVDs and a DVD player.

“Howl’s Moving Castle or My Neighbor Totoro?”

Jamie settled down into the massive pile of pillows, his boyfriend joining him not long after.

“Howl’s Moving Castle. I think Evy will really like the costume design in that one. Plus Howl is hot.”

Liv nodded in agreement, grinning, and after getting some more snacks fron the kitchen, they started the first movie. It was lovely all thoughout and Evy was enamoured with the fairytale-like art and story telling. After watching another movie (The Wind Rises), the group fell asleep one by one, comforably surrounded by plush blankets and each other.

Maybe it was time to spread her wings.