No, and you check in

He's still mute as a fish. You're on the verge of total desperation, and you make one last try.

-Can you just say something? Anything, really, I just want to know that you've listened to me.-.

Pause.

-D-Do any sound, I'm not trying to make you talk, really.-.

Pause.

-Just... let me know you're alright...-.

Nothing. Not a bump in the wall, a cough, a groan. Nothing. But he's inside, right? You turn the handle: it's locked, so he must be in. Yet, he hasn't produced a single noise from the beginning, as if he was in apnea, immobile and...

Oh God.

You throw to the wind all precautions, really concerned about his status. What if he had felt bad? What if you've made him faint?

-Tom, I'm entering just to check you're ok!- You announce, and you put your fingertip on the lock. You focus and a red tendril stretches out from your pores, which takes the form of the key. You turn and enter.

-Tom?-.

You're left flabbergasted at the sight of his empty room. The window is opened. No, no, this can't be true. You call out his name, you search into the closet and under the bed, you look in the street and call him again.

He's just gone.

-No, no, what have I done??? What, what can I do???- You frantically dangle across the room, your hands on your hair.

-Stupid, stupid, stupid! How couldn't I predict this??? Mom and Kim will kill me!!!- You draw your phone and dial his number, but it goes straight to voicemail.

-Fuck!!! Fuck, fuck!- You scream, your imprecations get increasingly dimmer. You feel like you're losing control. What to do now? Where to go?

-I'm sorry, I didn't know who else to talk with.- You sob, now resting on your best friend's bed. She sits on your side and gently caresses your back. You have just finished telling her the entire story.

-Oh Heather, I thought... I thought I could convince him, you see? But he was angry and... and now he's gone.-.

-Don't worry, we will find a solution together.- She tenderly consoles you. She's so sweet, even if you've just loaded her with such a burden. Plus, she seemed really busy when you rang her doorbell.

-It's a nightmare!- You bury your face in your hands: -I've messed all up, haven't I? I should have kept my mouth closed!-.

-You were trying to do the right thing...-.

Sniff: -No, I was just... so stupid! I'm so sorry, Heather! You will hate me now!-.

-W-Why would I?- She exclaims surprised: -Tina, I can't hate you! I... I love you.-.

-For this reason!- You reply piping up your head: -I didn't think about the consequences, Heather! If I won't be Tina anymore, and if you won't be her anymore, then...-.

...then she will no longer have any hope that you can love her one day. She realizes it only now, as her face darkens. But she smiles the same.

-Tina, as you've told me last time, I'll never hate you, no matter what. You're my friend. I'll support you, whatever you decide to do. So... don't be sad, please. I'm sure everything will be alright.- She softly clings to you, placing your temple on her shoulder. Her auburn locks tickle your cheek. She's warm.

Why is she so kind to you, even now? This is not fair, you've thought only for yourself even coming here, and yet... yet...

I can't hate you, she has said.

I love you.

You raise your eyes to her, to her serene expression despite the thousand thoughts that must be crowding her mind. She's always been like this. She was there every time you needed. She's always been your support, your rod, your rock.

-Tina?-.

You detach and look at her intensely. She blushes sheepishly. She's, indeed, beautiful.