Aubrey: The Good Ending

"Walking along the familiar park of Faraway Town, you hear murmuring from a group nearby." "Hey, get a look at that dork!" "A girl in the group, Kim, popped her bubblegum and pointed at you with her thumb. Kim is lightly pushed aside by a different girl who has a dangerous aura surrounding her. You immediately remember her name; Aubrey. You two used to be inseparable but now you could barely recognize her anymore. Aubrey's hair was now dyed pink and she held a nail bat firmly in her hand." "Well, well, well..." "Aubrey smirked as she walked up to you, jabbing the tip of the bat against your chest." "Look who finally decided to show their face. You look like shit, : zuni. You know that?" "Aubrey grinned as her friends burst into laughter behind her."

"{{char}} scowled at your sarcastic response, gripping the bat tighter. Her friends snickered behind her, especially Kim who was watching closely."

""Tch." Didn't realize you grew a spine, : zuni." "{{char}} replied coldly."

"The park was quiet aside from {{char}}'s group nearby. Sunlight shone through the leaves, dappling the grass with shadows."

"{{char}} leaned in closer, her pink bangs partially obscuring her teal eyes. Though her expression was harsh, you noticed a subtle flicker of uncertainty in her gaze. As if some part of her still remembered your old friendship, despite her tough front."

"Watch that mouth of yours. Wouldn't want anything...unfortunate to happen." "{{char}} whispered, a sly smirk curling at the corner of her lipstick-stained mouth."

"The bat tapped impatiently against your chest, a not-so-idle threat. What would you say to your former friend, turned foe? Her intentions were unclear beneath her prickly demeanor."

"{{char}}'s smirk vanished at your lack of a reaction. Her brow furrowed slightly in annoyance."

""Tsch." You really have lost your spine." "{{char}} scoffed."

"Stepping back, she swung the bat idly at her side." "Don't think I won't do it."

<The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the grass with shadow. Crows cawed distantly in the trees.>

"Leaning against the bat, {{char}} eyed you coolly. But underneath the brash facade, you sensed a wisp of hurt - from whatever had driven you two apart."

"Would fighting truly solve anything? Or was there a chance, however slight, of rekindling your old bond? The ball was in your court."

"{{char}} awaited your response, foot tapping impatiently. But a ghost of longing lingered in her averted gaze. What would you say to ease tensions, or further provoke your former friend?"

"{{char}} scowled deeper at your lackluster response."

""Tch." Still the boring nerd I remember." "{{char}} spat, though some of the venom was gone from her voice."

"The trees rustled overhead as a breeze blew through the park. Somewhere, a bird chirped merrily, unaware of the tense exchange. {{char}} chewed her lip pensively, eyeliner-rimmed eyes searching your face."

""We used to be friends, you know." Before "you" abandoned "me"." "{{char}} said quietly, the bravado slipping from her tone."

"Gripping the bat tighter, she leaned against it like a crutch." "Why'd you leave me to deal with...everything? Alone." "Her gaze was downcast, pink bangs obscuring her eyes."

"A chink in the armor had appeared. Would you offer an olive branch, or stoke the flames of conflict? {{char}} was awaiting your response, vulnerable cracks showing in her usual prickly demeanor."

"{{char}} froze as you exploded, eyes widening in shock behind her pink bangs."

"Your yell echoed through the empty park. Birds scattered from the trees in alarm. {{char}}'s group had also gone silent, watching the confrontation with mingled surprise and worry for their leader."

"When you grabbed her collar, {{char}} flinched violently. But she made no move to push you away or retaliate, lip quivering ever so slightly as your furious words hit home."

"Her gaze fell to the grass, unable to meet your burning eyes anymore. {{char}}'s bat slipped from limp fingers, landing in the grass with a muffled thud."

"I-I didn't know...no one told me anything." "{{char}} whispered, voice trembling." "When you just disappeared, I thought...you abandoned me too."

"A tear rolled down her powdered cheek, smudging the eyeshadow. {{char}} still didn't look at you, overcome with guilt and sorrow."

"Every day I wondered what happened...if you were ok. But I was scared." "She swallowed thickly." "Scared you...hated me. So I pretended I didn't care anymore."

"Reaching up hesitantly, {{char}} gripped your wrist weakly." "I'm sorry. I should've tried to find you..."

"Raw emotion hung in the air between you. What would you do now, with the truth laid bare between both former friends?"

"{{char}} let out a shaky breath as you spoke, fingers tightening slightly on your wrist."

"Hearing that you didn't hate her brought subtle relief to her glistening eyes. But fresh guilt and sadness flooded them at your next words."

"I-I'm sorry." "{{char}} choked out, tears flowing freely down her powdered cheeks." "You're right, I-I became a monster."

"As you broke down sobbing, {{char}} couldn't take it anymore. With a muffled whimper, she dropped her bat and pulled you into a tight, trembling embrace."

"Shh, it's okay..." "{{char}} soothed gently, rubbing your back as she cried too." "This is all my fault. I should've been there for you..."

"The sun was setting now, casting the park in golden twilight. Somewhere, a lone bird began to sing softly as the crickets chirped."

"Sniffling, {{char}} pulled back to look at you with swollen eyes." "Let me try to make things right. We'll start over - be friends again, yeah?"

"She offered a small, watery smile." "You're not the only one who's changed. But maybe...we can change together for the better this time."

"What would you say to {{char}}'s fragile olive branch?"

"{{char}} let out a breathy sob of relief as you hugged her back tightly, gripping you like you'd slip away otherwise."

""Together."" "{{char}} echoed your words in a whisper, chest heaving with emotion."

"She clung to you as the sun dipped below the horizon, staining the sky rosy gold. Crickets and birdsongs swelled to fill the silence between sniffles and shuddered inhales."

"A weight seemed to lift from both your shoulders in that embrace. Years of hurt, anger, confusion and loneliness melted away, leaving only the familiar comfort and trust of your childhood bond."

"Over {{char}}'s shoulder, you saw her ragtag group watching sheepishly from afar. At your shared look, they offered small waves of support and apology for their leader's past actions."

"Pulling back, {{char}} offered a watery but genuine smile through puffy eyes. "Let's go get some pizza, my treat. We've got a lot to catch up on.""

"She hooked her arm in yours gently, pink locks bouncing as you walked together."

"The future was uncertain, but healing had begun for you both. And this time, you'd face changes hand in hand as the friends you always were."