I stared at the phone, the video ending there. I was left feeling oddly sick to my stomach and emotional. Delina rubbed my arms, her eyes on me.

"Well... you watched it. How do you feel?" She asked with a worried smile.

"Fuck..." I blinked away more tears than I'd cried in a week, full of pain. "I don't know. That hurt."

"Yeah," She nodded, giving my arms a tender squeeze.

I tried not to ruin my last image of him with the image that threatened to spill over, but I could barely contain it. I wanted to remember him alive, smiling. Suddenly, I couldn't control it anymore. His face, pale, cold, and empty, was burned into my head. I fell into my knees, trembling and weeping. I didn't want to see him like that, but it had been stuck like an acid burn inside of me from the moment he'd died. I'd just been avoiding it, and well apparently.

I fought the breathless chokes and held myself as Delina wrapped her arms around me tightly. If only you knew the pain you put me through. I clutched my legs, hoping it would ease the pain somehow.

When I finally calmed down, I was dry and exhausted. The sunset had found its way into my room through the window, and I could barely swallow. Delina got up and walked out of my room, coming back a minute later with a glass full of water.

"Drink this," She instructed, handing the glass to me as she sat back down.

I chugged down the cold liquid, letting it rehydrate my sore throat. "...Thanks."

"Sure," She said simply, watching me with concern.

My stomach churned painfully, causing an awful acidic-like pain to envelop my insides. I clutched at it, wincing and hoping that Delina wouldn't notice. She rubbed my back, seeming quieter and sadder than I'd known her to be.

"You should eat," She said, reminding me I still had the full bowl of cereal that was by now spoiled.

"I'm fine. I'm not hungry," I argued, ignoring the gnawing growl my stomach made.

"And, I'm telling you that you're not. Jesus, Kallie. Take care of yourself." Delina demanded, shaking her head.

I looked at her, the worry filling her eyes making me feel even worse. I felt guilty, partly because she was right and partly because she was upset. I got up, walking to my living room table and inspecting the soggy bowl of cereal I'd left when we watched the movie. I picked it up, moving the spoon around in the contents, and settled for that.

I sat down on the couch, about to eat the cereal, when Delina swiped it from my hands in disgust and folded her arms. "No,"

"Wha- You took my food!" I muttered awkwardly.

"This!" She scrunched her nose at the sight of the bowl. "This is not food! Food is my Madre's homemade garlic bread! Food is going to a restaurant and ordering something! This- Ugh. You are about to make me go Great Aunt Tilia on your ass."

"Who?" I frowned, almost laughing at her tiny outburst.

"Nothing," She sighed and shook her head. "What do you have in your cabinets?"

I tried to take a mental inventory, but I had no idea what was left food-wise. I hadn't shopped in a while, and Bry's death had left me with new problems that took priority. Delina vocally showed her dissatisfaction with my lack of response and leaned her head back.

"Really?" She whined. "Ok. New plan. You're taking a shower, and then we are going shopping."

"I have no money?" I frowned, panic starting to greet me slowly. "Besides, it's been so long since I shopped for groceries. The last time I went was... for Bry. Um, look, can we-"

"Kallie." She said my name with exasperation and then looked at me. When she did, her face softened. "Hey, look, just... stay here, take a shower and clean up, I'll be back, ok?"

"I can't let you-"

"Yes, you can," She assured me, walking in front of me and kneeling. "Let me take care of you, alright?"

I rolled my eyes, but inside I was beyond grateful. I sighed, eventually nodding and looking into her eyes. "Ok, but, I'll pay you back... eventually."

"Kallie, you don't owe me anything," Delina whispered. "You already pay me by letting me enjoy your company."

"Since when did you become so mushy?" I asked.

"Oh, she has jokes," She smiled, kissing me on the cheek. "Just, do what I said. I'll be back later."

She gave me a wave before walking out the door and leaving me staring after her in awe. If there was one thing I enjoyed most about Delina, it was that she was extremely interesting. She made me forget about all my insecurities for a little while, and was helping me when I needed help most. I thought about the last week, thinking about Kevin and Delina; how they'd both come into my life when I'd needed them desperately. Thinking of them reminded me that I had been given orders, and I realized it was probably best if I listened.

I walked to my bathroom, for the first time not being overwhelmed by the memories that flooded back. Instead, I was able to look back at them with fondness. It was an odd yet strangely good feeling. I found myself almost smiling at the memory of Bry chasing after me, soap covering his arms.

After I took a shower, I finally brushed my teeth and put on some clean clothes. I got to cleaning the small apartment, and between the laundry and the smell it ended up taking me a few hours. But, in the end, I was left standing in a newly shining place. Somehow, cleaning left me satisfied and proud that I had been productive.

"Hey," Delina greeted me as she walked in with her arms full of groceries. She glanced around the apartment, her face lighting up. "Wow! Nice job."

"Here, let me get that," I said, walking up to her and grabbing the bags. I headed to the kitchen and put the bags on the counter, shocked. "How much did you get? There's like, 10 bags!"

"Eh, not that much," She grinned, helping me unload the groceries. "I got enough."

After spending the day actually doing things, I stifled a yawn from being genuinely tired. We finished putting the food away, standing together in a calm silence as night filled my apartment.

"It's late," I mentioned as Delina rested her head on my shoulder. "Do you want to go?"

"No," She smirked up at me. "Do you?"

I shook my head, admitting to myself and her that I didn't want her to go. "I wouldn't mind if you stay..."

"Good," She smiled, lifting her head and giving me a wink. "So, what should we do?"

"Um... I don't know?"

"Well, we could eat?" She looked around my cabinets, trying to find something of interest. "Mac and cheese? It's my favorite comfort food."

I fought back the urge to smile, barely ready to accept that what I felt in my heart was something akin to happy. "Ok,"

She grabbed the container, smiling the whole time we made a mess of my kitchen with some box mac and cheese. For the first time in weeks, I felt myself start to let go again. It was an odd sensation, but I found myself thinking about the future for the first time since Bry had told me he was sick.

Delina and I were laughing as the milky, cheesy mixture spilled all over us when she stirred it too fast. For once, I didn't feel the heavy weight on my chest. I felt lighter than before, yet I knew it was there. I knew he was there, right at the cusp of my thoughts. Delina filled two bowls with the gooey food, and then we sat down on the couch together. You would've loved her if you met her.

"I was thinking," She said with a forkful of macaroni in her mouth. "I want to buy my own tattoo shop."

"I think that would be great!" I agreed, the taste of food in my mouth feeling weird.

"Yeah, it would be. So, who's Kevin?" She asked, eyeing my phone that was on the coffee table.

"A friend, I guess. He... he's really nice, actually. Why? You know him?" I questioned, leaning and grabbing my phone.

"No, I just saw that he texted you." She chuckled, getting more comfortable on the sofa.

"Oh, shit," I opened my phone, checking his message.

9:05 PM- Hey, I have news. What're you doing tomorrow?

9:05 PM- Nothing that I know of. It's good news, right?

9:06 PM- LOL. Yes. We should hang. It's news I want to share in person

I frowned, unsure of what he wanted to tell and slightly worried. The last thing I needed was another Bry. I shook the thought away, texting Kevin back and telling myself not to worry. You don't need to worry.

9:07 PM- Alright, yeah, we can hang. But, someone might be with me if that's ok

9:07 PM- Delina?

9:07 PM- KEVIN

9:07 PM- What?

9:08 PM- Nvrmnd. Good night. I'll see you tomorrow I guess

9:08 PM- Ok, Kallie. Night

I huffed as I put my phone back, pouting and trying not to show it. Delina had an amused look on her face, and I tried my best to muster a glare. "Don't you start."

"What? Did he make you mad?" She asked with amusement, now barely hiding her smile.

"Ugh. He just won't stop teasing me," I whined, realizing I was actively smirking and not fighting it. "It's... annoying."

"Oh, I agree. You seem very annoyed right now," She teased.

"Delina!" I laughed, the feeling making my heart beat erratically.

"Ok, ok!" She laughed back. "I won't tease! You're so cute when you're like that. Like a fluffy bunny, all soft and cuddly. It's adorable."

"Stop!" I curled up into a ball, trying to hide my face.

"Aw! Look at you! You're so cute." She chuckled, leaning into me and wrapping me into a hug. "Now, stop hiding."

I looked up at her from behind my arms and sighed. I was tired, the day had been far more hectic than I'd expected, and Delina had been keeping my mind busy the entire time we'd been hanging out. I was exhausted, to be frank.

I straightened up, stretching and running my hand through my hair. "Ok, but it is late."

"You want to head to bed?" She asked, still wrapped around me.

"I think," I nodded, yawning. "Probably."

"Alright," She said, getting up and standing awkwardly. "So..."

"Don't worry," I assured her, standing up and giving her a half smile.

We went to my room and I pulled out a pillow from the closet, handing it to Delina. The action took me back to that night, and I felt my face curve down. Delina gave me a soft smile, taking the pillow and walking over to my bed. She tossed it onto the right side, climbing into the bed and taking off her shirt to reveal a tank top underneath.

I gawked at her, almost half laughing in surprise.

"What?" She questioned casually, getting comfortable and taking off her jeans.

"J- F- um... this. Just... this." I responded, lost in shock.

She laughed, shaking her head and laying down. "Come on! Don't be such a chicken. Or have you never had a sleepover?"

I walked over to her, determined. "I am not a chicken."

"B..."

"Hey!" I jumped onto the bed, Delina giggling and backing away.

"B- bawk!" She teased through incomprehensible laughter.

"How dare you." I frowned, folding my arms.

"Do you know what's so cute about you?" She asked, leaning on her elbow.

"Let me guess; everything?" I raised a brow, watching her face contort into hidden amusement.

"No," She said with a smirk and an eye roll. "No one is that cute."

I sat down on my bed, Delina sitting up. "Ok, I give up. What is?"

"You put the u in cute." She poked my nose.

"Oh, my god." I held back an outburst of laughter. "That's horrible."

"So bad," She agreed. "But, not as bad as my cheesy dad jokes."

"You have cheesy dad jokes?" I asked in disbelief.

"Uh, yeah! Doesn't everyone?" She questioned as if it was basic knowledge.

I laid down, my eyes stuck to the ceiling. The hourglass somehow felt like a sign. Time really is the most exhaustible resource. I put my hands behind my head and Delina laid down beside me.

"Hey," She shoulder-punched me. "Talk to me."

"Do you think you'd be ok with meeting a friend tomorrow?" I asked uneasily. "Kevin has something he wants to tell me, and after Bry, I just..."

"Kallie," She said seriously. "I get it. Trust me."

"Ok," I nodded.

I turned on my side, looking at Delina's face. I had memories of watching Bry's face, figuring out every little detail, what every slight frown line meant. But with Delina, it was new. She was so unexpected, and yet so familiar. I nervously leaned in and kissed her, pulling away quickly and blushing.

"I will pay you $50 the first time you kiss me and don't blush," She laughed.

"Do you think he was happy?" I asked her, my throat closing with the distance of my brows.

"In the end, I'm sure he was happy," She said quietly. "He had you."

I tried to smile, but I couldn't. I can't wait to smile again when I think of you. "Maybe he was angry. Maybe he-"

"Kallie, listen to me, what good does it do to stay stuck on those things?" She asked with a concerned frown. "What's the best thing you can say about him?"

"I don't even know where to begin," I admitted. "He was... nice to everybody? He wasn't afraid to... stick up for people? God. He was really something."

"What's the funniest thing you can say about him?" She continued.

"He... had a secret obsession with clean teeth and cats?" I frowned, fighting the pained smile that showed up.

"Um..." She rested her arm on my stomach, wearing a thoughtful expression. "Teeth?"

"Don't ask!" I laughed. "It... ugh... he just... had this thing where he loved clean teeth."

"Was he going to be a dentist?" She asked, frowning in confusion.

"No. He went to school for education. He wanted to be a teacher," I said. "But..."

"Kallie, close your eyes," Delina whispered.

I felt my anxiety go on guard, and I frowned. For some reason, most of me trusted her. I closed my eyes, wondering where this was going.

"Tell me three things you loved about him," She instructed me, her voice sounding oddly calm.

I opened my eyes, confused. "I'm sorry, what is this?"

"Just trust me! It's a therapy thing. I did it when I lost Abby, it really helps." She assured me calmly.

I sighed, closing my eyes again. Nothing may ever compare to the pain of losing you, but one thing will always remain true. You have my heart, and only you.