Aveline
It's been two months since that night.
That last conversation with Ruby in the hospital… since then, I've completely forgotten how to be me.
I isolated myself.
Didn't talk.
Didn't show up.
Didn't exist.
And Kai? He wouldn't stop.
Still threatening me—text after text. I was terrified.
If Ruby were here, she would've ended him. But I… I was the one who pushed her away.
I was the reason she vanished from my life.
One evening, my mom walked into my room and sat beside me, gently brushing through my tangled hair.
> "Aveline, baby… how long are you going to keep hiding like this?"
I didn't even know how to answer.
"I don't know, Mom… I pushed Ruby away, and now… now I'm breaking."
Mom let out a quiet sigh.
"Sweetheart… whatever happens with Ruby is your story to tell. But first, you need to take care of yourself. You've stopped living."
Then Mireline barged in, bold as ever:
> "Mom, no. She doesn't need healing—she needs Ruby."
"Shut up, Mireline!" I snapped, trying to protect myself—but deep down, she was right. I was losing it.
Mireline didn't stop.
"Mom, don't spoil her too much.
Look who's saying that. The same girl who couldn't even sleep when her rabbit was hurt. The same girl who blamed herself the entire night."
I blinked at her.
> "Wait… really?"
"She stayed with you the whole night, Aveline," Mom whispered.
"Worried sick. She held your hand when you cried in your sleep."
I stared at Mireline, searching for her eyes, and when I found them—they looked away.
No words. Just quiet love.
I jumped forward and hugged her.
She immediately pulled me into her arms and kissed my forehead.
> "You'll always be my little rabbit," she whispered.
And I cried. I cried like it was the only thing left I could do.
> "Sis… I miss her. I want her. But I pushed her away. I lost her…"
Mireline rubbed my back gently.
> "Stop crying. Just wait. Life has a weird way of giving you one more chance… if it does—take it."
> "If you get another shot… don't waste it."
Then she leaned closer and added softly:
> "And if the world ever turns against you, I'll fight it for you. I'll burn it down if I have to. Just be happy, rabbit. Please."
My mom sat silently, her voice low and solemn.
> "I heard Ruby's mother is getting worse… coughing blood. The doctors said… there's not much time left."
"What?"
I couldn't believe it.
That same woman—so bold, so full of fire at the hospital—how could she be…?
> "Mom…"
"Yes, Aveline?"
"What if… what if I still want to marry her—even though I hate her now? Will you still support me?"
My mom looked at me for a moment. Then she laughed.
Not mockingly—but like something bittersweet.
> "What a silly question," she smiled.
"Of course, I'll support you."
She reached out and took my hand.
> "And you know what else? I'll support your dancing too."
I blinked.
"Wait… what?"
She chuckled.
> "Back when I was your age… I was the best dancer in my campus. But I wasn't alone. I had a dance partner. The best one I ever knew."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"She was my best friend. My blood. My sister. Your aunt."
I gasped.
> "You mean…?"
She nodded.
> "Yes. That dance partner I always talk about? She was your aunt. She danced even when the doctors told her to stop. The day of our biggest competition, she collapsed on stage. She died chasing her dream."
A lump formed in my throat.
Mom wiped a tear away.
> "That's why I was always scared. Every time I saw you dance, I saw her. Same fire. Same smile. Same spark."
She took a deep breath.
> "I couldn't lose you the same way. I sacrificed Mireline's dream, and it still haunts me. I won't do it again."
I grabbed her hand tightly.
> "Mom, we're not mad at you. We get it. Really."
Mireline nodded and leaned in.
> "We love you, you emotional old lady."
She laughed, kissed both our foreheads, and left the room.
That night, I slept in Mireline's arms like I was little again.
---
The Next Morning…
I spent the whole day with Alia, but my heart felt off.
> "Hey Alia… don't you think I should apologize to Ruby?"
Alia almost spit her drink out.
> "YOU? Apologize?! What kinda anime redemption arc is this??"
"Shut up," I muttered. "Her birthday is coming. December 27th."
Alia blinked.
> "How do you know that?"
I smirked.
> "I asked Luna."
Alia rolled her eyes, but smirked back.
> "Fine. Do whatever your broken little heart wants."
---
But the next day... I heard the news.
Ruby's mother had died.
Two days before her birthday.
We went to the funeral.
I saw Ruby.
And she was... gone.
Not physically. But spiritually.
Her eyes were empty. Her face pale. Her soul? Missing.
The fire I knew was nothing but ash.
And even though I told myself I hated her…
Even though I promised I'd move on…
My heart broke all over again.
Because the girl I loved was now a ghost in her own body.
---