Gwen and Faith
Gwen woke up the next morning, still feeling depressed. But nothing was going to change that. She got up and had a shower and put on the clothes Faith had left out for her. When she was dressed, she went into the kitchen, looking for food. Faith was in there waiting for her.
"Morning."
"Morning." Gwen numbly accepted the food Faith handed to her. She ate in silence while Faith got up and prowled arounbd her house, trying to act busy, when she clearly had nothing to do. "Faith?"
"Yo?"
"I..." Gwen stopped, her eyes becoming watery again. "I need help."
Faith came back into the kitchen and sat on her bench. "That's what I'm here for."
"I know that we don't know each other that well... or really at all, and I'm still not sure why you let me stay the night, and stuff..."
"Hey, you're ok by Angel, you're ok by me."
"I sorta feel like... we're the same."
Faith paused. "I guess we are."
"So that's why I need you to help me."
"Ok?"
"I want to go back... but I don't think I can."
"Why?"
Gwen dropped her spoon back into the bowl with a loud clang. Her tears started falling more frequently and faster. "I'm scared."
"Of what he's going to say?"
Gwen nodded, unable to speak with the large lump that had lodged itself in her throat.
"You're worried because you think he's going to be mad at you."
"Yes."
Faith decided to take the rough approach. Gwen wasn't the kind of person to be coddled, and it wasn't the best thing for her.
"Tough. Gwen, I know you didn't mean to do what you did, but the thing is, it happened. And you can't run from that, because sooner or later, that's gonna catch up with you. So you have to face it."
"How did you... how did you do it?"
"I went back. It wasn't easy, I'll give you that, but in the end, I knew it was best. Because I was hurting more without Zac then I was when I was around. And that's what you have to decide... when it comes right down to it, I can't make you do anything, no one can. You have to make the choice yourself."
"I want to go back... but I can't. Not right now."
"So when? Days, weeks, years? If you don't go back now, then you'll never be able to go back. Saying you'll go, isn't the same as going, Gwen."
"It's hard... it's too hard."
"So you'll give up? You'll just ignore the pain you feel inside, and you'll keep running? Coz I gotta tell ya, that life, is lonely. And it doesn't get you anywhere."
"I know that, ok? Why can't you see that I want to go back, but I'm not ready!"
"This isn't just about you, Gwen! He's hurting, I know he is, because I heard the way he talked about you, and I saw the way he looked at you! So he's gotta be hurting right now!"
"I just need a few days."
"You've had a few days. Now you're just looking for excuses." Faith jumped off the bench and headed out the door. "Don't leave it too late. Otherwise, you'll never get the courage."