It was the second day in a row Kate hadn't shown up to school.
Amy sat across from Lacey at their usual lunch table, her tray untouched.
"She didn't text you either?" Lacey asked, poking at her fruit cup. "It's weird, right? I mean, Kate never skips. Like, ever."
Amy shook her head, concerned about tightening her features. "I figured maybe she was sick, but... I don't know. Something feels off."
Lacey raised an eyebrow. "You think it's that guy? The one she said creeped her out last week?"
Amy's fingers curled slightly around her drink. "She brushed it off when I asked. Said it was nothing. But you saw how shaken she looked."
Lacey gave a small nod. "She was pale. Like, really pale."
Amy stood up, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "I'm gonna check on her after school. Just to make sure she's okay."
Kate jolted awake with a sharp inhale. Late afternoon sunlight filtered through her blinds, washing her room in a soft orange glow. Her body felt heavy, her mind foggy—like she'd been underwater for hours.
Blinking, she sat up slowly and turned her head toward the small cardboard box on her desk.
The bird.
She shuffled over, her bare feet dragging on the floor. The lid was cracked open just enough for light and air to pass through. Carefully, she lifted it and peered inside.
The small creature stirred—still weak, but breathing steadily. It blinked up at her, feathers ruffled but intact.
Kate exhaled in quiet relief.
She reached for the tiny bottle cap of water she'd left beside it and refreshed it, then gently dropped a few soaked breadcrumbs near the bird's beak. It pecked at one, feebly but willingly.
"Still kicking," she whispered, managing a tiny smile. "Good."
After a moment watching it settle, she turned toward the door. That's when she heard the voices.
Muffled, low.
She sat up slowly, heart thudding. Someone was here.
Padding softly down the hallway, she paused at the corner before peeking into the living room.
There, sitting on the couch, were Rose and—
"Amy?" Kate rasped, her voice rough from sleep and disuse. "What are you doing here?"
Amy turned, her expression softening when she saw her. "Hey... You've been off the grid. We were worried."
Kate blinked at her, still processing. "I... I didn't mean to sleep this long."
"She's been like this for days," Rose said, not unkindly. She glanced over at Kate with something between concern and helplessness. "Barely eats. Barely talks. It's not like her."
Amy glanced between the sisters, her usual playful energy subdued. "You don't have to tell me what happened," she said gently. "But I can tell something did. And whatever it is, you don't have to go through it alone."
Kate hesitated in the doorway, feeling exposed, raw—but also relieved. Amy had come. Someone noticed.
Rose's stern expression softened for a moment as she rolled her eyes. "Drama queen," she muttered, though there was a slight chuckle in her tone.
Amy broke in before the situation could escalate any further, holding up a stack of papers. "Alright, alright, let's not make this worse," she said, cutting off the mock-scolding. She flashed Kate a reassuring grin, handing her the notes from her classes. "I got your absences excused, so no worries. Your teachers know you weren't feeling well. And I brought all the notes and work you missed."
Kate's tears quickly began running down the sides of her cheeks, and she let out a relieved sigh. "You're a lifesaver, Amy. I seriously don't know what I'd do without you."
Rose raised an eyebrow. "Well, looks like Amy's your personal superhero now," she teased, but her tone had softened.
Kate laughed, wiping her eyes. "I guess so. Thanks, Amy. For real."
"Anytime," Amy said with a wink, sitting back down. "Try not to skip again. I don't want to be your homework fairy every time you need a nap."
Kate grinned sheepishly, nodding. "I'll try my best. No more skipping for me. Promise."
Rose just shook her head, still smiling. "You better," she muttered, sinking back onto the couch.
As Kate sat down with her notes, Rose gave Amy a long, thoughtful look. There was something in her gaze that made Amy pause. Finally, Rose spoke up, her voice surprisingly soft but laced with sincerity.
"You know, Amy, I've gotta say... you've been nothing but amazing with Kate. It's not just the notes and the homework, it's the way you take care of her. You're always there when she needs someone, even when she's acting all stubborn. It's like... you're the perfect balance to her chaos."
Amy blinked, her heart suddenly pounding. Rose's words landed differently—unexpectedly sincere, layered with something warmer than gratitude. She reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, her fingers lingering there a moment too long before dropping awkwardly to her lap.
"Uh... thanks?" she stammered, trying to hide her flustered expression by looking anywhere but at Rose. Was she serious? Was this just a moment? She had no idea what to do with that tone, that look.
Rose's smile widened, but there was a deeper warmth in her eyes now, something that caught Amy off guard. "No, seriously. You've got this way about you," Rose continued, her voice almost teasing, but quieter now—nearly vulnerable."You're patient. You listen. Most of us just get frustrated with her... but not you."
Amy felt her heart race, her mind spinning as the weight of Rose's words settled on her. It was clear now—there was something more to the compliment, something unspoken between the lines. Her mouth went dry as she tried to keep her composure. "I... I don't know what to say," she muttered, feeling both flattered and unsure.
Kate, oblivious to the intensity of the moment, smirked. "Looks like Rose is trying to win you over, Amy. Don't get too excited."
Before she could respond, Rose stood up, her posture slightly stiffer than usual.
"Alright, alright," she said, clearing her throat in a forced sort of way. "Enough of all that. I'm starting dinner. You two better be hungry, 'cause I'm making enough to feed a small army."
Amy, still a little shell-shocked, nodded quickly. "Y-yeah, sure, I'll help."
Kate raised an eyebrow, sensing something in the air that she couldn't quite put her finger on. As the three of them made their way to the kitchen she let it go.
For now.