Bella arrived at the hospital without thinking too much.
Her hands were still trembling a little as she pushed open the door to Room 202.
Alice was sitting up in bed. She looked pale and tired, a dark bruise blooming on her cheek. One of her wrists was wrapped in a bandage. Her eyes found Bella the moment she stepped in.
"You came…" Alice said softly.
Bella didn't answer at first. She just nodded and sat down in the chair beside the bed. The silence felt heavy.
After a beat, she finally spoke. "What happened? Who did this to you?"
Alice gave a faint smile, but it didn't touch her eyes.
"My ex-husband," she said quietly. "He got angry when he found out I saw you… that day. Said I was disgusting. That I ruined his life. All because he found out about you and me."
She looked away, voice trembling slightly.
"He yelled… and then he hit me
"And who would believe me?" Alice gave a tired, bitter laugh.
"He's clean. Respected. Straight. And me?" She looked away.
Bella reached out carefully, her fingers gently resting on Alice's hand.
"You don't deserve this," she said quietly. "No one does." Bella gave her hand a soft squeeze.
Their eyes met. There was something lingering in Alice's gaze—something old, fragile, maybe still hoping.
"I still think about you," she said. "When things get bad… you're the only one I want to see."
Bella paused. Her heart ached—but not from longing. More like… sadness for what they used to be.
"I'm not the same person anymore," she said gently.
Alice gave a small nod, and looked away. Maybe she understood. Or maybe she just didn't want to argue anymore.
Back at home, Ellie stood outside with her hands stuffed in the front pocket of her hoodie. She'd walked around the block once already, pretending she just needed some air. But really, she was hoping to catch a glimpse of Bella.
Nothing.
Now she sat on the front steps, staring out at the empty street. Her mind was noisy.
"She's avoiding me," she muttered. "Of course she is."
She stood, restless, and went back inside. The house felt still—too still. Every sound echoed.
She paced the living room a little, then finally sat down on the couch. The TV was off. Her phone buzzed once, but it wasn't Bella.
She opened a message draft.
"Hey, are you okay?"
She stared at it. Then erased it.
No. One message wouldn't be enough. And maybe Bella didn't want to hear from her right now.
She checked the time. Almost 10 p.m.
Maybe she's not coming back tonight.
But still, she waited.
Even if she didn't know what to say yet, Ellie knew one thing for sure now:
She didn't regret the kiss.
And she didn't want to pretend like it didn't mean anything.
Not anymore.
Then—the sound of keys at the door.
Ellie sat up instantly.
The door creaked open, and Bella stepped inside, looking completely worn out. Her hair was tied in a loose bun, and she paused in surprise when she saw Ellie sitting there in the dimly lit living room.
"You're still up?" Bella asked, her voice tired.
Ellie slowly stood up, nerves buzzing under her skin.
"I was waiting for you."
Bella furrowed her brows slightly. "What's wrong?"
Ellie hesitated, trying to find the right words.
"So… about last night," she said softly. "When I kissed you…"
Before she could finish, Bella quickly cut in, her tone flat.
"Oh. Never mind that. It was probably just… a mistake."
Ellie blinked, caught off guard.
"A mistake?" she echoed. "I don't think it was."
She took a breath. "Bella, I've been thinking about it for a while now. I guess I have a—"
Again, Bella interrupted.
Her eyes met Ellie's briefly, then darted away.
"It's not supposed to be like this, Ellie. Girls and boys—that's how it's supposed to be."
Ellie nodded slowly. She didn't look angry. Just… disappointed.
"But do you really believe that?" she asked quietly. "Or is it just easier to say?"
Bella looked down.
"I don't want to hurt you. I don't want things to get… complicated."
Ellie gave a small, understanding smile. "I get that. I really do."
There was a long pause. Then Bella finally said, "Maybe you should find someone else. Someone who's with a man. It's easier that way."
Ellie held her gaze, just for a moment. Then she nodded. "If that's what you want, I'll respect it."
They stood there in silence for a beat.
"Okay then," Bella muttered, turning toward her room. "I guess we're clear now. You should get some sleep too. It's late."
But just before she could leave, Ellie called out softly,
"Bella?"
Bella paused. Turned halfway back.
"Do you think we can still be friends?"
Bella looked at her, her expression finally softening.
"Yeah. I want that too."
Ellie smiled, quiet and genuine. "Good. I don't want to lose you."
Bella smiled back—a small.
And even though things weren't simple, in that quiet moment… they felt okay