Everything

"And... that's why I'm here now." Amber finished with a sniffle. "I just started walking and my feet took me here."

Christie paused, letting everything sink in. "You're lucky I drive past this park on the way to your place. If I hadn't heard you crying I'd probably be at your parents' place panicking right now."

Amber waited, but Christie had no follow-up. "Is that it? Is that all you're gonna say? After what I told you? About my parents, about Jack, about... about the book?"

Christie started. "Oh yeah, I guess... I guess I should say something. You're probably a little freaked out." She turned gently placed her arm around Amber and lifted her face to make eye contact. "It's a bummer about your dad. That's super fucking weird, even for him. And it's a bummer about Jack. That's the damndest shit. The book is neat. It's really shitting awesome for you and you deserve it. That's what I have to say."

Amber stared at Christie, stunned. "You're... you're not mad?" She whispered.

Christie laughed. "Mad? Why would I be mad? My best friend in the whole wide world found something that's gonna make her happy! I'm thrilled for you! ...Were you seriously worried I'd be mad?"

"I... I kept it a secret from you."

"Yeah, for like, no time at all." Christie rolled her eyes. "You told me the first time you saw me in person. For damn sake Ambs, if that's what you consider keeping a secret, remind me never to tell you anything again."

Amber laughed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. Christie was the same as ever. Sarcastic and goofy, and the perfect kind of comforting. Whatever happened, Amber knew that Christie was gonna help her get through it, be it parents, Jack, or book. Christie pulled her to her feet.

"C'mon, get in the car. Let's go back to my place. I have stuff to talk to you about too, but it's the 3-am-had-my-mom's-wine kind of a talk."

Amber giggled as she followed. Christie had always had the craziest stuff to talk about. She was the adventurous girl that Amber had always wanted to be, doing things like partying, flirting, and even weed once. Amber had no idea why Christie was her friend given how much cooler she was, but as she got in the car she smiled at her friend. Everything was gonna be totally okay.