"Lily!"
A worried Joan exclaimed as Lily dragged herself into the apartment. The first thing Joan noticed was her friend's sunken eyes. Lily looked and smelled absolutely terrible.
"Have you been crying?"
Lily gently shut the door behind her, dragging her feet towards the couch in their living room. Joan followed her, waiting patiently for Lily to give her a proper explanation.
With an exasperated sigh, Lily collapsed into the soft long cushion. Without warning, she burst into a quiet sob.
"Oh Lily," Joan spoke softly as she took her arms around her best friend. "I'm so sorry."
With her head resting against Joan's shoulder, Lily didn't make any effort to stop the hot tears from rolling down her cheeks. Silence, punctuated by muffled sobs, filled the air for minutes. Joan patiently and quietly waited for Lily to let all the hurt out of her system. Hoping to bring some comfort, regardless of how little, she rubbed Lily's shoulder and stroked her dark brown hair.
