60 -

Ellie was feeling better and better. It was subtle, almost imperceptible to her own eyes, but each day spent in Paris allowed her to breathe a little more freely. The memories of her doubts and fears seemed less overwhelming, softened by the comforting presence of Joan and Aubrey, and by the city itself.

The fear of abandonment was still there, lurking deep inside her, like a shadow that never fully disappeared. Yet, something was changing. Ellie felt a desire to move forward, to no longer be trapped by her own walls. Life was way too short, and the scars of her past couldn't dictate her future forever. The days passed by in a blur, and soon, the departure for London was approaching.

Sitting on the couch in the apartment they had rented, Ellie looked out at the view beyond the large windows. The smell of coffee and fresh croissants filled the air, reminding her of the moments shared with Joan and Aubrey. That morning, they were deep in a light conversation.

Joan: "I feel like this city has some sort of magic. Every street corner makes you think about your life, it's totally crazy or maybe I'm just going completely crazy, I don't know yet."

Aubrey, wrapped in a blanket, nodded with a laugh.

Aubrey: "I vote for the second option, Mr. Philosopher. The only thing I'll remember is the butter croissant from that little café near the Seine."

Joan gave her an amused look.

Joan: "Really, Aubrey? With everything we've seen here, your best memory is the food?"

Aubrey shrugged with a smile.

Aubrey: "Well, you've got to appreciate the little pleasures in life, right? And what about you, Ellie, what stands out the most for you?"

Ellie took a moment to think. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, moments of peace mixed with intense anxiety. But deep down, she felt something changing. Slow, fragile, but real.

Ellie: "I think it's this feeling of freedom. I still have trouble letting go, but I can feel something shifting inside me, like an armor cracking."

Joan put his cup down and looked at Ellie seriously.

Joan: "I can see it, you know? You seem different, more open. I don't know if you feel it, but it's obvious to us. And we're really proud of you."

Aubrey raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

Aubrey: "Maybe it's the Paris effect, or maybe it's because you've decided to stop fighting everything. You're about to join Joan in the very exclusive club of philosophers."

Ellie smiled, amused by the comment, but she knew Aubrey was right.

Ellie: "A little bit of both, I think. But mostly, it's because of you guys. You've been here, even when I wasn't ready to talk or let you in. That's made all the difference."

Joan: "We'll always be here," he replied confidently. "No matter where you are or what you're going through. That's what friends are for."

Ellie felt a wave of emotion rise within her. Joan and Aubrey had always been there for her. And it was because of their unwavering support that she was finally starting to allow herself to feel, to live again.

---

The next morning, as the sun rose over Paris, they took the train to London. The journey was long but pleasant, filled with bursts of laughter, moments of quiet contemplation, and a sense of anticipation that hung in the air. Ellie, sitting by the window, watched the landscape rush by, but her mind was elsewhere. She was thinking about Kate.

Kate. A friend she had neglected, someone who had meant a lot to her. Ellie knew she could no longer put off this meeting. It was time to see her again, apologize, and make up for all the lost time. With a certain nervousness, she took out her phone and typed a message.

Ellie: "Hey Kate, I hope you're doing well. Can we meet up? I'd really like to talk to you, a lot has happened."

She hesitated for a moment before pressing "send," a lump forming in her throat. Doubt immediately crept in. What if Kate didn't reply? What if she was too mad at her to want to see her? Ellie couldn't blame her if that was the case. She had been an absent friend, distant, closed off to any emotional connection.

The minutes after sending the message felt endless. She checked her phone every thirty seconds, cursing her impatience, wondering if she had made a mistake by reaching out. But a few minutes later, her phone finally buzzed.

Kate: "Ellie, of course! I'd love to see you. I'll be in London starting tomorrow, perfect timing."

Relief washed over her immediately. Ellie let out a sigh, feeling the tension leave her shoulders. Kate didn't hold a grudge. At least, that's how it seemed. But even with that reassuring reply, Ellie couldn't help but wonder if the meeting would really be as easy as it sounded. She knew there were unspoken things, buried emotions that might resurface.

After they arrived in London, they settled into a cozy Airbnb, a small apartment tucked away on a quiet street in the city. They spent the afternoon wandering the streets, exploring the lively corners of the British capital, enjoying the unique charm of the city.

----

The next morning, Ellie got up early, her heart pounding at the thought of her meeting with Kate.

Ellie: "I need to step out for a bit," she said to Joan and Aubrey as they were having breakfast. "I need to pick something up before meeting Kate."

Joan gave her a questioning look but didn't press her.

Joan: "Do you want us to come with you?"

Ellie: "No, it's fine. I'll be quick," she replied with a smile, knowing she needed a little alone time before this important meeting.

---

Lunch hour was approaching as Ellie made her way through the streets of London to meet her friend. As she got closer to the café where they had arranged to meet, Ellie spotted Kate, sitting at a table on the terrace, lost in a book about photography.

Taking a deep breath, Ellie walked up, holding a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Her steps echoed in her ears, as if each movement was bringing her closer to the inevitable moment of truth. There was no turning back now.

Kate looked up just as Ellie reached the table, surprised to see her there. When she saw the white tulips, an emotion passed through her eyes, one that Ellie had trouble deciphering. Ellie stood there, uncertain, before she shyly offered the flowers.

Ellie: "I'm so sorry, Kate. For everything. For being absent, for letting you down. I've been the worst friend ever."

Kate looked at her, surprised, before her gaze fell on the flowers. For a moment, silence stretched between them, filled with uncertainty. Ellie felt panic rise inside her. What if Kate didn't want her apology? What if she was still angry?

But then, to her surprise, Kate stood up and pulled her into a hug. The embrace was soft, but full of emotion. Ellie froze for a moment before returning the hug, tears welling up in her eyes.

Kate: "I've already forgiven you, Ellie," she whispered. "I knew you were going through something difficult. I never really blamed you, you know."

They sat back down, and the conversation, which had started hesitantly, quickly found its natural flow. Ellie opened up about her mistakes, her fears of abandonment, how she had pushed everyone away, including Kate, out of fear of getting hurt more. She spoke frankly, knowing it was the only way to make things right.

Kate, in turn, shared her own journey. She told Ellie how she had finally let go of the sadness caused by her ex.

Kate: "I hate myself for letting that guy have such an impact on my life."

Ellie nodded, fully understanding that feeling.

Ellie: "We all make mistakes, but what matters is finding a way out."

Then the conversation took a different turn, Ellie felt the need to talk to Kate about Billie.

Ellie: "And then... there's Billie. She tried to be there for me, to support me. And I cowardly pushed her away, just like I did with you."

Kate frowned, paying close attention.

Kate: "Billie? What happened with her?"

Ellie took a deep breath, feeling the shame rise to the surface.

Ellie: "After everything she did for me, after supporting me when I was at my lowest, I ended up asking her to leave. I thought it was better for her. That I was protecting her by pushing her away. But now I realize I was just scared. I was... awful, Kate."

Kate: "You know, pushing people away out of fear is human. But that doesn't mean it's irreparable."

Ellie looked down, nervously fiddling with her napkin.

Ellie: "I don't know if she'll be able to forgive me. I've been so harsh with her."

Kate: "Have you talked to her since?"

Ellie: "No... not yet. I don't know how to start the conversation," she admitted, feeling a lump form in her throat. "How do you apologize when you know you've messed up like shit?"

Kate thought for a moment, then gave her a soft smile.

Kate: "Sometimes, it's not about the perfect apology we expect. It's just honesty. If you talk to her like you're talking to me now, with all that sincerity, I think she'll forgive you. But Ellie, you need to forgive yourself first."

Ellie sighed, aware of the truth in Kate's words.

Ellie: "I think that's the hardest part."

Kate: "We all make mistakes, but the fact that you want to make it right shows how much you care about her. So, let her know. Don't let her think you don't care about her, like you thought with me."

Ellie nodded. The fear was still there, that constant fear of being abandoned, of losing those who mattered. But this meeting with Kate had given her new strength. If she could make things right with her friend, maybe she could also fix things with Billie.

The conversation continued, moving from memories of old times shared to lighter topics. When their lunch was over, Ellie felt lighter, as though a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Ellie: "Thank you, Kate," she whispered as she stood up from the table.

Kate: "You don't have to thank me. We're friends, that'll never change."

Leaving the café, Ellie felt like a new chapter awaited her. The reconciliation with Kate was just the beginning. Now, she had to face Billie, make up for her mistakes. But this time, she wouldn't back down.