_" Sometimes letting go doesn't mean you are weak, it means you are strong to move on "
Elodie POV
As we walked into the school cafeteria together, I felt a sense of liberation wash over me. It was my first step towards letting go of the past and ignoring the gossip that had swirled around us for so long was the second step. Hannah still refused to eat the cafeteria food, a habit she'd developed over the years we'd been together.
"Here, Mum prepared this for you," I said, handing her a carefully packed lunch, a small smile on my face.
"Thanks," she replied, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled back.
But even as we sat together, trying to blend in, I could still feel the weight of curious gazes upon us. The whispers started, a gentle hum of speculation that followed us like a shadow.
"Looks like they're back together again," someone said, their voice barely above a whisper.
"They're so cute, I thought they were fighting," another person chimed in.
I felt Hannah's eyes flicker towards me, a hint of unease in their depths. But I just squeezed her hand, a silent reminder that we were in this together, and that their opinions no longer mattered.
school ended and I decided to go home,
As I walked through the front door, Mum's warm smile greeted me, accompanied by the savory aroma of dinner already prepared. "How was school, dear?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
"Fine, Mum," I replied, trying to brush off the lingering emotions of the day.
Mum's gaze narrowed slightly, her eyes probing for more information. "What about Hannah? I haven't seen her around in a while."
My silence was met with Mum's gentle persistence. "You two still fighting? You know you should let go, dear. Besides, she's been your friend since childhood. You two have been through so much together."
I looked away, trying to avoid the conversation, but Mum's words struck a chord. She was right; Hannah and I had shared countless memories, and our friendship was worth fighting for. I took a deep breath, knowing I had to make amends and move forward.
"I'm working on it, Mum," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, as I tried to reassure her without revealing too much.
Mum's eyes filled with concern, and she took a step closer. "Do you need my help, sweetie? Sometimes talking to someone can—"
I quickly interrupted, not wanting to have this conversation right now. "No, it's fine, Mum. Really. I just need some time to figure things out."
With that, I turned and headed upstairs, eager to escape the conversation and lose myself in the familiarity of my room. I changed into comfortable clothes, trying to shake off the emotional weight of the day, but Mum's words lingered in my mind, a gentle reminder that she was there for me, whenever I was ready to talk.
Picking up my cellphone as I texted Hannah, I hesitated for a moment, my thumb hovering over the screen as I debated whether to send the text or not. Finally, I took a deep breath and typed out the words: "Wanna come over today?... I miss you."
I paused again, my heart racing with anticipation, before hitting send. The wait for a response felt like an eternity. "Would she reply?" I wondered, my mind racing with possibilities.
The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an hour, as I stared at the screen, willing my phone to buzz with an incoming message. Had I made a mistake by reaching out? Was she still hurt from our past disagreements?
Just when I was starting to lose hope, my phone finally vibrated in my hand, Hannah's name flashing on the screen. My heart skipped a beat as I opened the message, my eyes scanning the words for a sign of what was to come.
Hannah's response flashed on the screen, her words sending a warm wave of relief through me:
"Sure, I miss you too"
I couldn't help but smile, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. The simplicity of her message spoke volumes - she still cared, and the door to our friendship was still open. I typed out a quick response, my fingers flying across the keyboard:
"Awesome! Come over anytime, Mum's made lunch. Can't wait to see you"
I hit send, already imagining the sound of her laughter, the way her eyes would light up as we hugged, and the familiar comfort of our friendship, rekindled once more.
Hannah POV
I stared at my phone, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Elodie's name flash on the screen. We hadn't hung out in weeks, not since our fight. I had missed her, but pride and hurt feelings had kept us from reaching out.
"Want to come over today?... I miss you"
Her text was simple, yet it spoke volumes. She was making the first move, extending an olive branch. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should respond, but my fingers seemed to move of their own accord.
"Sure, I miss you too"
I hit send, feeling a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, and a hint of trepidation. What would happen when we saw each other again? Would things go back to normal, or would the awkwardness linger?
I pushed the thoughts aside and grabbed my bag, heading out the door. As I walked to Elodie's house, I couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring. One thing was for sure, though - I had missed my friend, and I was ready to move forward.
I stood at the doorstep, my heart racing with anticipation and a hint of nervousness. I took a deep breath, reached out, and rang the doorbell. The familiar chime echoed through the house, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Who's there?" Elodie's voice called out from behind the door, a hint of curiosity and warmth in her tone.
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "It's me, Hannah," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
The door creaked open, and Elodie's face appeared, a bright smile spreading across her face. "Hey!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I returned the smile, feeling a sense of normalcy wash over me as we stood there, grinning at each other like we used to. The tension and awkwardness seemed to melt away, replaced by the familiar comfort of our friendship.
As the day wore on, our laughter and chatter filled the room, accompanied by the occasional pause to grab another snack or switch to a new movie. But beneath the surface, we both knew that the real conversation was yet to come.
Finally, as the evening drew in, we settled in on the couch, facing each other with a mix of nervousness and determination. "I'm sorry" we said in unison, our voices overlapping as we giggled.
"Go first, Hannah," Elodie said, her eyes locked on mine.
I took a deep breath. "Actually, I'm sorry. I should have told you about everything. I promise it won't happen again."
Elodie's expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze my hand. "It's fine, I'm sorry too, for ignoring you, Hannah. I should have listened to what you were going to say."
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of our apologies hanging in the air.
"I missed you," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
Elodie's smile was radiant. "I missed you more."
We leaned in, embracing each other tightly, the warmth of our friendship enveloping us once again.
Elodie's eyes sparkled with excitement as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box. "I got you an early birthday gift," she said, her voice trembling with anticipation.
I gasped as she opened the box, revealing a beautiful necklace with a delicate pendant that shimmered in the light. "Oh, Elodie... it's stunning!" I exclaimed happily.
"Thanks," I said, my voice filled with emotion, as I wrapped my arms around her in a tight hug. "You're the best, Elodie. You've always been the best to me."
Elodie hugged me back, her arms warm and comforting. "I love you, Hannah," she whispered.
"I love you too, Elodie," I replied, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and friendship.
As we pulled back, Elodie smiled and helped me put on the necklace. I touched the pendant, feeling a sense of joy and connection to my dear friend. It was more than just a gift – it was a symbol of our unbreakable bond.