be brave

Nah, you’re right. Guess it’s not really a good time for a lot of folks. How’re you holding up?

I'm... I'm definitely better now. I mean, it's been two years. Zach wouldn't be very happy if he knew that I'm still grieving.

Too old to make a snow fort, then?

I'm sixteen, Mica. What do you think? And besides, it's not fun without Zach.

Well, hi to you too.

Oh, hey Colette. Are you gonna be doing anything fun for Christmas?

Very new. Madeline, it’s a pleasure to meet you. The Soup Gallery? Really? Jesus, this place and it’s names are givin’ me a toothache. 

Welcome to Ashtown, then. I'm Acacia. Yeah, really. Gotta say, people around here don't exactly have a knack for creativity.

I would hope so if it’s known as the soup place. Where is it at? I’m just a little oblivious to all these shops.

You new around here? Or just someone who don't go out much? Ah, it's not too far from the park. It's called the Soup Gallery.

Well, look at that. Her little sister was now so grown up that Colette felt ridiculous. She actually wanted to cry, which made her feel like she was twenty years older than she actually was. Colette listened intently to Acacia answer her questions and she couldn’t help the bittersweet smile on her face. On one hand, she was really glad that Acacia was finally getting some experience and that she was living life the way it should be lived. On the other hand, hearing her talk about it makes her feel even more distant than before. Hugging herself, Colette made sure the smile was intact on herself as she absorbed everything. “Brian sounds like a jock name.” Colette made a face before giggling. “No, it wasn’t a long explanation at all. If you needed to elaborate on a few more thing, feel free to do so, but damn. That was a bit.. . fast, wasn’t it? Maybe he’s just scared of being in a relationship or he’s just not ready? Maybe he’s a playboy who wants to try out every girl like they’re just another flavor in an ice cream store?”

It had been surprisingly easy for Acacia to get over Brian, and the two of them were like best friends now. Nothing went wrong in their relationship, they just didn't have that spark that lasted. People just didn't seem to get it, though. She shrugged her shoulders when Colette suggested a few theories, "Nah, it's not either of them. We just didn't work out. But really, we're cool. He's always been a friend, so." She was used to people not getting it, —only Brian and herself did get it—so she didn't bother elaborating about it too much. "Really, no heartbreaks and tears and all that. Maybe he just wasn't the one, you know?"

I look like Rudolph. Just my luck, yeah? Someone should bring me soup.

That's so sad, being sick just before Christmas. Why don't you head over to that soup place? It has good soup.

As Acacia began to walk towards the tree with no response, Leila took a deep breath in, preparing herself. Not because she was afraid of what Acacia was going to say, but because if Leila’s gut feeling was right and Acacia was about to apologize, then it was going to be a bumpy road. The pair had a history of Leila apologizing over small things, that was how she was, but not Acacia. As Leila followed her friend towards the tree, the loud music and the chattering people soon becoming a low muffle behind them. 

Acacia felt uncomfortable—having to do this. But if she didn't, she knew that she'd be whiny the whole night, and she wanted to have a good time at the bonfire as opposed to moping around. But Leila's smug smile wasn't helping, but she internally groaned at how difficult this was. She hadn't apologized to anyone ever since Zach died, because her brother was the only person who she cared enough about to apologize whenever they fought. With Leila or her other friends, she'd simply wait for them to apologize to her first—which then she'd reply with, "Yeah, I'm sorry too. So we're good?" Not for the first—or last—time, Acacia cursed Zach for no longer being around. He would've been great help if he were here. Heck, she probably wouldn't be here bothering to apologize if she had Zach to hang out with. The cool thing about her brother was that he had always welcomed her to hang out with his friends, people who were three to four years older than her.

After the little ‘fight’ Leila had with Acacia the night before, Leila just wanted to go out and forget it happened. She had to admit that it was annoying that she cancelled so last minute, but she was also frustrated that Acacia made such a big deal of it. It wasn’t like Leila did it often. Sure she had come late to a few things, but in her defense, this time it wasn’t her fault. For Acacia to blame Leila and be a bitch about it was nothing new, it was just the fact that it was the night before the bonfire that bugged her most. They had planned to hang out altogether with the rest of their friends, but as they hadn’t spoken since the incident, Leila didn’t even know if Acacia was coming. 

It was kind of funny to see Leila so baffled when she had came over to talk. Acacia knew that her friend had probably expected her to dis her and make some snide comments. And that had honestly crossed her mind. But she was already unhappy enough tonight that she hadn't had any energy to do that. She just wanted to get this thing over with. Acacia hated the turmoil building up in her. She hated the way she was just so gloomy that if one more thing upsets her, then she would probably scream.