"Hey Soriel, are you there already? I'm pretty close by," I asked, walking leisurely.
It was a Saturday and I was on the phone with Soriel as I made my way through the streets of New York.
The sky was clear, without any signs of rain like the day before.
And honestly, that was a relief.
"I just arrived. I'll wait for you," Soriel answered calmly through the call.
"Sounds good. I'll hurry up then," I replied.
You see, since Soriel began to act normal again, she wanted to do some community service work.
This time though, I offered to help.
'Looks like I'm here.'
After turning a corner, I could see Soriel a few feet away.
She noticed me as well.
"Hi," she greeted.
Soriel wore a plain white dress with white shoes to match.
'Is she wearing makeup?'
I was never able to tell if Soriel wore makeup, but if she did, it felt like she put on a little extra that day.
Although, it didn't really matter.
"Hey. Are you ready to go in?" I greeted back.
We were participating in a neighborhood a clean up a middle school had organized.
"Not yet. We have special guest on their way,"
"Eh? You didn't tell me about anyone else coming."
"It was a surprise."
"You're always so full of surprises, aren't you?"
Soriel smiled cheekily.
'Is that her?'
In the distance, I saw a female figure approaching.
The figure was petite with jet black hair and very familar to Elliot.
'Ash?'
"Hey Soriel! Huh? E-Elliot?" Ash greeted, standing in front of us.
"Hey Ash," I replied.
Ash gave Soriel a very confused look while she just grinned.
"Can we head inside now?" I asked, growing impatient.
"Yes, let's go,"
The two of us began walking in the school but Ash stood there for a moment.
"Soriel, aren't you going to explain? Soriel!" Ash exclaimed, jogging a little to catch up to us.
**
"Hurry up Ash, I need the trash bag," I ordered.
Ash's eyebrow twitched.
"Dont order me around!" She retorted as she followed my orders.
We were walking on the sidewalk with the rest of the volunteers.
Soon after we entered the school building, the neighborhood clean up began and we were all given trash pickers and trash bags.
And Ash happened to be one of the people holding trash bags.
"Ash, I have some trash for you too," Soriel said, walking towards her.
Ash sighed and turned the bag to her as Soriel dropped the trash inside.
Soriel then moved up to walk beside me.
"You doing okay?" I asked softly.
"Yes, I'm okay," she replied.
"Alright but remember you can tell me if something's bothering you. I told you not to take things on by yourself anymore,"
Ever since Soriel's steady recovery, she's been acting normally but subtly stopped telling me her thoughts like before.
It was like we were taking steps backwards.
"Um…" Soriel began.
She hesitated but continued to speak.
"I still haven't told Ash about what happened to Grandpa," she eventually said.
I froze.
'What? Isn't she her best friend?'
It was weird, Soriel had told me about her grandfather's passing but not Ash.
"Why?" asked curiously.
"Well because unlike you, she wasn't with me for the news. She also didn't see in person that something was wrong. So I just never had a reason to," she explained.
"Do you want to tell her?"
"I'm not sure."
I silently sighed.
"Well, it's your choice. You can do whatever makes you most comfortable."
It was decision Soriel had to make, I didn't want or need to intrude on it.
I was not Soriel. I was myself.
So I'd do what I could and trust Soriel.
————————————
Soriel POV:
My stomach churned.
'What do I do?'
Grandpa was important to me in a way no one else could be.
Even mentioned his passing was like a knife to the heart.
Yet, it wasn't like I was the only one who knew him.
Ash did too.
She had spent so much time at my house and knew him well.
Not telling her, would feel wrong.
'But how can I even tell her? I can't just walk up and drop that on her.'
As our group entered a park to continue our clean up, my thoughts were plagued with indecisiveness.
'Just focus on cleaning.'
Putting aside my worries, I began to pick up trash with Elliot once again.
We continued for a while, moving from place to place.
I joked with Elliot and Ash a bit, to keep my mind off things.
But eventually, our time ended.
The event ended and we all went back to the school.
"I'm gonna head home. I got studying to do," Elliot said, obviously dejected when he spoke the word studying.
"Oh okay. I'll see you later," I replied.
"See ya," Ash added.
Elliot gave me a quick glance, as if to ask if I'm okay.
I tried giving a reassuring smile and a nod.
Elliot seemed satisfied with that and left Ash and I alone.
"Do you want to walk around together?" I asked.
"Where?"
"Anywhere."
Ash shrugged.
"Sure why not."
The two of us began to walk, taking in the sights around us.
Every tree, every bird, every person, was a gift to see.
With what happened to grandpa, I realized being alive was a gift.
And so were all these people.
"Oh yeah! Hey Soriel," Ash spoke.
"Yes, what is it?"
"I have a school piano performance coming up," she said.
"Can you come to perform with me? It's next Friday."
I opened my mouth to say yes instinctively, but no sound came out.
'I have grandpa's funeral that day.'
My brain began to think.
'Maybe I can try and delay the funeral? Or try going to both on the same day? Or maybe…'
My thoughts suddenly stopped, recalling something.
You can't help everyone. You cannot save everyone.
That is what Elliot had told me.
It hurt, but he was right.
Sometimes, I wouldn't be able to help.
"Sorry. I can't. You see…"
I hesitated, I really didn't want to say it.
Even so, I continued.
"Grandpa…passed away. His funeral is next Thursday."
I saw Ash's breath leave her body and her fingers tremble.
She swallowed silently and took a small breath.
"I am so so sorry that happened. Are you okay?" She replied.
"Mostly, I'm still grieving a bit though."
Ash quickly embraced me in a hug.
It was gentle and sweet, not rushed or forced.
The hug was so loving, almost like…
'Grandpa…'
In that embrace, I let a few small tears flow down my face.
I was sad.
But I wasn't alone.