Snakes in my hair? It’s more likely than you think. - Chapter 18：You Have Changed

That voice, it’s Kylie Rhys.

“Um, yes!”

Kylie walks in with a smile on her face. She’s carrying some books and papers. She’s still dressed in her uniform even though it’s the weekend. Guess, people like her never truly have a day off.

She sets down her stuff on the nearest table and then sits on one of the chairs, her posture prim and proper.

“Juno, I’m so glad to see you’re okay. I was so worried!”

The nurse’s words from yesterday come back to her “She acted fast and didn’t panic. Truly remarkable… Next time you see her, say thank you.”

“Ah yeah! And well that’s thanks to you. I almost can’t believe it. Seriously, thank you.”

She covers her face with her hands and turns her head away from Juno. Is she embarrassed? “Hehe. No need to thank me at all. It’s always a pleasure to help.”

“So um what’s with all those books,” she asks curiosity getting the best of her.

“Oh! Most of these are for you, you see I spoke with your teachers and they gave me all the assignments you missed. But you don’t have to worry too much about the work. They’ve extended your deadlines and said you can take your time. But I brought it in case you wanted to work on it. Ah, and some are just regular books to pass the time.”

Juno grimaces, “Ah, thanks.”

“Bringing you work when you’re sick, I’m sorry! But really you don’t have to do it now if you don’t want to.”

“I-I might! I mean it’s not like I have anything better to do, aha,” she can’t hide the sadness in her voice.

“I heard about what happened to your sister. I am so sorry.”

That catches Juno off guard, “How did you find out?!”

Kylie looks thoughtful before admitting, “Oh, I spoke with your parents.”

“Ah.”

She finds it weird that they spoke but doesn’t say anything about it.

After a moment of awkward silence Kylie says,

“Don’t look so sad, Juno. Things will work out, I’m sure of it!”

“I hope so…”

Another moment of silence passes before she speaks up again her tone changing into something more serious, “You know, Juno. I understand your pain.”

“You do?”

The smile doesn’t leave her face as she elaborates, “Yes, someone I knew went missing.”

“Did-did they find them!?”

Her smile twitches slightly, “Of course. So I have hope your sister will be found as well.”

“I am so sorry you had to go through that, but how-how did you deal with it?”

She stops smiling and looks at her in the eyes, “I didn’t let the pain consume me. I consumed the pain.”

“Um. What?”

“I didn’t let pain take over me but instead I used it to my advantage. I became stronger.”

Juno blinks back at her.

“Sorry was that weird? Sometimes I can get intense.”

//Yeah that was weird but I think I’m starting to get used to it by now.//

“Er- yes but I think I get what you’re saying.”

“Hm. That’s good. I wouldn’t want you to misunderstand. I believe that if anything good can come from this situation, it’s that you’ll be much more powerful than before.”

“Ha. There’s no way that’s gonna happen. Someone like me? I’ll never change.”

//I’ll always be weak. I didn’t care before but now, I wish I was just a little bit more stronger.//

“But you have changed. You may not see it now but you will soon. I would argue that nothing stays the same, eventually change comes. Now, one has the choice on how they’ll change. Make the most out of that choice.”

“That was um, very deep.”

“Hehe. You know, I’ve changed so much. If you met me in the past, I guarantee you would not recognize me at all.”

“Ah, really? You’ve changed that much?”

“Yup. I constantly change, I strive to be better than I was before.”

Juno looks down at her hands, “I should too. I want to do better.”

Unexpectedly, Kylie puts her hand over hers, “You will be great.”

Her cold hands and whispered words make Juno suppress a shiver.

Luckily, she takes away her hand quickly and then gets up.

“I have to get going! But before I leave, I want to make sure you’re really okay? Other than everything we spoke about, there’s nothing else wrong right? Don’t be afraid to reach out to me.”

“Aha, I’m fine.”

“You’re sure? I would rather not see you collapse again.”

“Yes I am! Haha! I’ll be fine, I promise.”

Her smile becomes smaller, but she accepts Juno’s answer, “If you insist.” She picks up one of her books and walks to the door, “Goodbye! I won’t be able to visit tomorrow because I’ll be busy but we’ll see each other soon.”

“Ah, that’s okay. Thank you again.”

She nods and as she’s about to open the door to leave, someone else stands in the doorway.

And they’re holding a bouquet of flowers?