"...Every day I'm tempted to do something stupid, just to make the pain stop. But I know it won't help. It'll only make things worse."
Her gaze locked on Nnenna, sharp and unyielding. The mask of indifference on Nnenna's face faltered, the cracks showing at last. Ava knew she had struck the right nerve.
"Think about that," Ava finished, turning toward the door.
"I'm… sorry for your loss."
The words slipped out of Nnenna before she could stop them. Ava froze, halfway out.
"This whole time you guys have been here for me, and I shut you all out," Nnenna admitted, voice trembling but steady enough to carry. "I knew you might be hurting just like me, but I was too messed up to help anyone. So I stayed away, thinking it was better… but I did not realize that wasn't much help to you either."
Ava turned slowly, eyes widening as Nnenna continued.
