A Bridge Rebuilt
902 Words
The sun was high in the sky when Bonny returned to the EmberWing packhouse. The journey home from Stormgale territory had been uneventful, but her mind was far from at ease. Elias’s words echoed in her thoughts, filling her with a mixture of hope and anxiety.
*People like her usually do. When she’s ready, she’ll tell you what’s going on.*
Bonny sighed as she stepped into the house, the familiar scent of wood and herbs greeting her. She had spent the entire ride back thinking about what she would say to Aneles, rehearsing the words over and over in her mind. Now that she was here, standing in the quiet hallway, her courage faltered.
But she couldn’t let this drag on any longer. Aneles meant too much to her to let a wall grow between them. Taking a deep breath, she made her way to Aneles’s room.
---
Bonny knocked softly on the door, her heart pounding. “Aneles? It’s me. Can I come in?”
There was a long pause before she heard the faint shuffle of footsteps. The door opened a c***k, revealing Aneles’s wary green eyes.
“Hey,” Aneles said, her voice hesitant. “What’s up?”
Bonny offered a small, nervous smile. “Can we talk?”
Aneles hesitated for a moment before nodding and opening the door wider. “Sure.”
The room was as tidy as ever, books neatly stacked on the desk and the bed made with military precision. Bonny stepped inside, the familiar comfort of her best friend’s space helping to steady her nerves.
“So, what’s on your mind?” Aneles asked, sitting down on the edge of her bed.
Bonny took a seat in the chair by the desk, fidgeting with the hem of her cardigan. “I… I wanted to apologize. For how I’ve been acting lately.”
Aneles tilted her head, confusion flickering across her face. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been pushy,” Bonny admitted, her voice quiet. “I’ve been asking too many questions and… hovering. I just… I’ve been so worried about you, Aneles. I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong, and it’s been driving me crazy not knowing what it is.”
Aneles looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting together. “Bonny, you don’t have to—”
“Please let me finish,” Bonny interrupted gently. “I just want you to know that I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable or pressured. That was never my intention. I just… I care about you. You’re my best friend, and it hurts to see you carrying something so heavy on your own.”
Aneles’s shoulders sagged, and she let out a shaky breath. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, Bonny. I do. It’s just… it’s hard.”
“I get that,” Bonny said, leaning forward. “And I’m not here to push you. I just want you to know that I’m here for you, no matter what. You don’t have to go through this alone.”
There was a long silence as Aneles stared at the floor, her expression conflicted. Bonny waited patiently, resisting the urge to fill the quiet with more words.
Finally, Aneles spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not that simple, Bonny. There are things about me… about my past… that I can’t just… put into words.”
Bonny’s heart ached at the vulnerability in her friend’s voice. “I understand,” she said softly. “But when you’re ready, I’ll be here. No questions, no judgment. Just me.”
Aneles looked up then, her green eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling. “That means more to me than you know.”
Bonny reached out and took Aneles’s hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re not alone, okay? Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together.”
Aneles nodded, a small, tentative smile breaking through her sadness. For the first time in weeks, the tension between them seemed to ease, replaced by the warmth of their friendship.
---
They spent the rest of the afternoon together, talking about lighter things. Bonny told Aneles about her trip to the Stormgale territory, describing the ice stadium and the flowers in the garden. She left out Elias’s questions about Aneles, deciding it was better to focus on the positive for now.
“You should come with me next time,” Bonny said, her tone hopeful. “It was so much fun. We could all go skating together. I think you’d love it.”
Aneles hesitated, but the idea of getting out of the packhouse—even just for a little while—was tempting. “Maybe,” she said finally. “We’ll see.”
Bonny beamed, feeling a glimmer of hope. It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no either. For now, that was enough.
---
That evening, as Bonny left Aneles’s room and headed to her own, she felt lighter than she had in weeks. The wall between them wasn’t gone, but it had cracks now—cracks that could grow with time and patience.
As she settled into bed, she thought about Elias’s words again. He had been right. Aneles just needed time and understanding. And Bonny was determined to give her both.
*Whatever happens, I won’t let her face it alone.*
- Writer
