The door to the infirmary creaked open, the faint scent of rain still clinging to the hallway outside. Sora’s head lifted at the sound of hurried footsteps and then she froze when she saw the origin of those footsteps. 

Her father and mother had finally arrived. 

The moment their eyes met, the dam inside Sora broke again. Tears blurred her vision, spilling hot and heavy down her cheeks before she could stop them.

Sora: (choking on the words) M-Mom… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry!

Her voice cracked, trembling as all the guilt she’d carried surged up in a wave she could no longer contain.

Sora: It’s my fault Naomi’s gone… I should’ve helped her… I should’ve been there for her… If I hadn’t been so cruel, so selfish, she—she’d still...

She couldn’t finish. Her words dissolved into sobs as her whole body shook.

Her mother’s eyes filled with tears of her own, as memories of Sora and Naomi when they were younger flashed in her mind, and in two quick steps she was at Sora’s side, gathering her into her arms like she was a child again.

Mrs Fujimoto: (voice breaking) Stop. Don’t say that.... Don’t carry that weight, Sora. This isn’t your fault.... I was wrong for ever putting the blame on you alone. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry Sora!! 

Sora clung to her desperately, her cries muffled against her shoulder.

Mrs Fujimoto: I’m not going anywhere. Do you hear me? I won’t leave you ever again. 

David and Mr Fujimoto stood aside as they watched the sight with big smiles on their faces as it seemed like things were finally going back to the way normal. 

*****

Two days later…

The Tanaka house smelled faintly of butter and toasted bread. Chloe practically flew down the stairs, her messy hair bouncing as she followed the mouthwatering aroma. Toasted sandwiches. Her absolute favorite before heading out for school.

Mother: (calling from the kitchen) Slow down, Chloe. They won’t run away.

Chloe ignored her, snatching up a plate and grinning in triumph as she bit into the golden crisp bread. Warm cheese oozed across her tongue comfort in its purest form.

Her phone buzzed on the table and when she glanced down at it, she saw that it was a Twibbler notification from David and it read: 

"Come outside. Need to talk to you." 

Chloe frowned, a piece of sandwich still sticking from her mouth. She leaned toward the window and pulled the curtains slightly open. Sure enough, there he was, standing just outside the gate, waving up at her with one hand.

David: (yelling) Oi! Text Ava too! I don’t have her number! Text her to come too! It’s important!

Chloe blinked at him, still chewing slowly, before pulling her phone closer. She couldn’t help smirking.

Chloe: (muttering to herself) What on earth are you plotting this early in the morning, David?

With a small sigh, she typed Ava’s name into her contacts and sent the message and a few minutes later, Chloe emerged from her house with her bag slung over her shoulders, ready to go to school.

Chloe: So what's so urgent that you had to come all the way to my house? And how did you find it anyway? 

David: Uh... I used the Booble Maps? Like what most people woudl do when they want to track down a friend? And as for why I called you, I'll let you know when we see Ava. 

Chloe: Is that so? By the way you look happy really today, what's the occasion?

David smiled at Chloe which got her more curious.

David: You'll see...

Chloe decided to not press and patiently wait for the time he'd eventually reveal why he was so happy and upbeat that morning. 

Soon enough, they ran into Ava who lived closer to their school but despite that, David didn't reveal the reason why he had called the two girls and just when they were about to ask him why, they got to a bus stop and when they saw Sora seated there. But this time she looked different. 

For once she didn't have that cold expression on her face anymore and her right ankle was bandaged and a pair of crutches were rested beside her. This ofcourse threw the two girls off and their facial expressions changed. 

Chloe: Sora?

Ava: (irritated) Hey David. What's the meaning of this? Why did you bring us to Sora? 

David: So... I need you all to just hear her out, okay?

Ava: Why? So she can spew out more hurtful words like she did the last time? 

Chloe took a look at Sora and saw that the look in her eyes has totally changed and then she tapped Ava on the shoulder.

Chloe: I think we should listen to what she has to say. 

Ava: Huh? You too? Are you feeling sorry for her because she's on crutches? Don't you remember what she said to you last week? 

Chloe: Yeah I remember but look at her now, does she look like the same girl we're used to seeing? 

Ava took a look at her face and saw the change that Chloe saw mere moments ago and then calmed down. 

Ava: Fine... I'll listen to what she has to say. 

Sora gripped her crutches, her voice trembling as she spoke.

Sora: I… I want to apologize, for everything. For the way I treated you both… for blaming Chloe when we lost… for shutting you out and looking down on both you and not even having faith in any of you... I'm sorry.

There was a bit of silence before she spoke again. 

Sora: I let something that happened in my past change the way I saw everyone around me. I hurt people who didn’t deserve it and looked down on people who looked up to me. 

Her throat tightened, but she pressed on.

Sora: I thought shutting people out was what was best for the path I wanted to take. And when Naomi died… I failed to see how my own actions contributed to it or rather I pretended not to. That’s the truth of who I was. But… I don’t want to be that person anymore. I want to walk down a new path and bring myself out of the Blue End I created for myself.

She bowed her head, tears brimming.

Sora: Please, give me a chance to make things right.

The silence that followed felt heavy. Ava’s lips parted like she wanted to snap back, but then she caught Chloe’s expression. Chloe’s smile was small, faint, but full of something unmistakable; happiness.

Chloe thought of David’s words, of how he’d said he wanted to be the one to change Sora. And looking at her now, Chloe realized… he had. 

Chloe: (smiling gently) I forgive you, Sora.

Ava groaned, pinching her nose.

Ava: Tch. Don’t think this fixes everything. But… fine. I’ll give you a chance.

Sora’s lips trembled into the smallest smile, her tears threatening to spill again, but she held them back.

Behind them, David smiled and then decided to join in on the conversation. 

David: Well, since we're all here, let's head on to school together. You know, so we don't end up late? 

The girls nodded in agreement and soon enough they all began their journey to school which wasn't too far from where they were with Sora moving slowly behind them as it wasn't easy to move fast with crutches.

As she looked at everyone as they walked ahead of her, a warm feeling suddenly manifested itself within her and she began to recall how things used to be over a month ago and how things had now changed and she realized that she wasn't so lonely anymore. 

As she stood there lost in thought, David turned back and noticed Sora was still a bit far away from them and urged everyone to stop and wait for Sora to catch up.

At that moment too, the sun began to creep out of the clouds which had covered the whole sky like a blanket & as everyone called out for her to catch up with them and the scene brought a small tear to her eyes and then David called out her name once again.

David: Come on, Sora. We’re waiting for you.

She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes, but they glimmered all the same as her lips curved upward. For the first time, David saw her smile, bright, genuine, and unbroken like sunlight after endless rain.

Sora: I’m coming!

And with that, she stepped forward, leaving the Blue End behind.

*******

The End.