"What do you mean? She's dead." Ellie slowly said, trying to comprehend what Hailey said.
"I know, look..." Hailey took a deep breath and continued. "Do you still have anything that belongs to her?"
"What? Are we doing some kind of ritual?" Ellie asked wide-eyed.
"No, no.... If you have anything of hers, I'll tell you what to do." Hailey said confidently.
"Some of her belongings are still in the basement, but I have a scarf of hers...." she paused and stood up heading to her wardrobe. She opened it and pulled out a small bag. She walked back to her bed and sat beside Hailey, and brought out a gray scarf from the bag.
Hailey watched as tears formed in her eyes and she put a hand on her shoulders.
"She left this scarf on my bed while talking to me the day she died, I told her leave and she did. She loved this scarf even though it wasn't her best colour." she paused as tears dropped from her eyes.
"Ellie....."
"She told me she'll tell me why she loved this scarf the most, but she never got to tell me. I know I'm acting somehow and no matter how many people telling me, I know deep down it's still my fault. If I have listened to her or maybe didn't tell her to leave, all this couldn't have happened. It plays in my head everyday how things could have turned out if I acted a little reasonably." Ellie's face became puffy as she lamented.
"Ellie, your sister is worried about you. You can't afford to stress her for long, look at me." she said and held Ellie's two hands and looked her in the face.
She continued, "Your sister cannot hate you, she's wise and loving and won't probably put the blame on you. You love her and she knows, but if you keep detaching from the world she'll worry without you seeing her. Imagine instead of taking her rest, she's worried, not only about you but your mother as well."
"What should I do with the scarf?" Ellie said, shaking with tear filled eyes.
"Talk to her." she looked at her and looked down the scarf. "Use the scarf as a connection and talk to her, tell her everything.....how you're sorry and missing her and whatever, then you let go and live your life."
"Let go? I can't let her go."
"Letting her go is not forgetting about her, it's all about giving yourself and everyone you love peace, including her. She deserves it at least right? You are already two worlds apart, just like she's on a vacation and you'll join later. I'll be outside okay." she stood up to leave but Ellie held her back.
"I'd also like to tell her about the person that is helping me like she always does." she said and took up the scarf, wiping her tears, smiling like it was facetime.
"I am so sorry sis for making you worry so much about me. I'm sorry for asking you to leave my room, I'm sorry because you were right too. I'm so ashamed but I promise not to cause any troubles again and take good care of dad and mum." she sobbed. "Hailey talked sense into me and I'll make you proud. Thank you for everything." she cried.
"It's okay." Hailey consoled her as she held her in a tight embrace.
"So what now?"Ellie said calmly in a cracked voice.
"If you want, we could go down the beach and you can throw in the scarf or keep it and get fresh air."
"Fresh air sounds nice, I'll keep the scarf."
They came down and Mrs.Laura could tell something was up, but she could only hope it was positive.
"Mum, we're going out for a bit."
"Alright, be home for dinner." Laura said stealing a what-is-happening glance at Hailey and she just shrugged.
"We'll be fine Mrs. Ford." Hailey smiled as they left.
They strolled and Ellie showed her around, her favourite and popular places.
"Let's get chocolate, they give discounts to new customers." Ellie said looking at Hailey excitedly.
"And I'm the new customer." Ellie said and gave a short laugh.
They entered the shop and one of the employees was excited to see Ellie.
"Good to see you Ellie, feels like years." he beamed with smiles.
"Good to see you too Ken.....Ken, this is Hailey. Hailey, this is Ken." she introduced as they exchanged pleasantries.
"Ken, Hailey our new customer wants to get chocolate." she tilted her head and smiled at Ken.
"Of course." Ken laughed. "All new customers comes through her, she's our little ambassador." he said to Hailey and she chuckled.
Ken got the chocolate for them. " On the house." Ken announced. "I miss my little Ellie."
"Thanks Ken, see you around." she said and they left.
"You guys seems like good friends, first person I've seen friendly to you." Hailey said.
"I know many people, I just stayed on my own after my sister's death."
"Will you come to school tomorrow then?"
"No." Ellie said. She didn't know why but she didn't feel like going and Hailey didn't ask her why.
They walked to the park and Hailey noticed that almost everyone knew Ellie, and was either happy or surprised to see her. That was when Hailey understood the depth of Ellie's isolation from the world and was happy she made a chance to help, and was happy it was yielding results or so it seems.
"Thank you Hailey, for everything." Ellie said with eyes full of appreciation. "I would like to know if you used magic on me." she said and they laughed.
After spending some time at the park they headed home. Laura already made dinner when they came in.
"Ellie I'll see you around." Hailey made to leave but Laura stopped her.
"You can stay for dinner, I called your mum."
"Thanks ma'am."
They ate dinner quietly and Hailey went home.
"I never knew a day could pass this fast." Hailey said to herself, taking a deep breath as she retired to bed.