Kana had just uploaded her evening post on Twibbler and completed her nightly routine—taking her prescribed medication, hooking herself up to the IV drip, and having dinner. The routine was like clockwork, a series of motions that had become second nature to her over the years. Sitting back against her pillows, she stared at the screen of her phone. Her eyes flickered from the last conversation she had with John to her call log, where the most recent entry read:
1d ago, 7 mins.
Kana's thumb hovered over the screen as she studied the details, her finger lightly grazing the text of their conversation. Her gaze lingered on the last message she'd sent him before he'd called her that evening, then shifted to the number of minutes they'd talked. She felt her heart tighten slightly. The silence between them felt like a weight, heavy and constant.
Kana: (murmuring to herself) He didn't reach out today…
She tilted her head slightly, trying to reason with herself. Maybe he's busy with school? Or something came up?
Her mind then drifted to the conversation they'd had the night before. John had opened up to her about his family, about how complicated things were between him and his mother. It made her heart ache for him.
Kana: (quietly to herself) Maybe that's it. Maybe he's going through something at home again…
She paused, her thoughts swirling with a mixture of concern and doubt. The same doubts that always crept in when she didn't hear from him for a while.
Kana: (to herself, shaking her head) No… that doesn't make sense. Why should he always be the one to reach out?
The weight of her own self-doubt made her frown as she sat back. I should be the one to reach out, too. Why do I always expect him to make the first move? The thought lingered, unsettling her. Maybe she had been too passive, too reliant on him to come to her.
Sighing deeply, Kana swiped her screen open to their messages. She scanned the conversation, looking for any sign of when he might have been planning to contact her again. Her eyes darted to his online status. He'd been active right after their call the day before, but that was it. Her stomach twisted as the realization set in—there was nothing new, nothing that told her what was going on.
Kana: (to herself) Why… Why am I so worried about you?
Her fingers moved involuntarily, tracing the image of his face that appeared in her mind. She could practically hear his voice, soft but strong, the way it always seemed to soothe her when she needed it the most. The thoughts consumed her, making her feel both calm and restless at once.
Just then, her phone screen lit up. Kana blinked, momentarily startled as her thoughts shattered with the sudden notification. The caller ID read Rose.
A sense of familiarity washed over her. She had promised to continue tutoring Rose today at the same time as yesterday. But as she stared at the screen, a familiar feeling of unease crept into her chest.
She wasn't in the best mood today, she knew that. The thought of talking to Rose, even though she genuinely cared about her, felt like another responsibility she wasn't sure she was up for right now.
Maybe it was just a case of fatigue or emotional overload. Maybe she should just ignore the call.
But then…
John's words from yesterday echoed in her mind, clear and unwavering.
"But you care, and that's what matters. That's what people need most. Not perfection. Just someone who listens. Someone who understands, and maybe that's what Rose needs most right now."
His words hit her like a wave, washing over her doubts. She remembered the sincerity in his voice as he spoke about how important it was to simply be there for people—to be a listening ear, even if everything else felt like it was falling apart. She had always admired John for the way he could empathize with others, for the way he made it seem like being present was enough.
"You make it easy to see you."
The truth in those words struck her deep. It wasn't just about being there for people, it was about showing up, even when it wasn't easy. Maybe it was time she stopped hiding behind her own insecurities and self-doubt. Maybe it was time to be there for someone else, like John had always been there for her.
With a deep breath, Kana pushed aside the anxiety that had been gnawing at her. The unease about her conversation with Rose, the frustration over John's silence—all of it was secondary now. Rose needed her.
Kana tapped the screen and accepted the call, forcing a small smile as she answered. Her voice was steady, but there was a warmth in it that she hadn't felt all evening.
Lonelygirl4556
> Hey, Rose. Sorry for the delay, how's everything going?
*******
Kana and Rose's tutoring session was even shorter than yesterday's. Rose had picked up the idea of adding 'soul' to her writing quicker than Kana expected. She'd spent the day writing short stories—scrapping some, keeping a few.
One of the ones she kept was titled The Hollow House. She sent it to Kana for feedback.
****
The Hollow House
By Rose
The wind howled through the Hollow House's cracked windows. Ivy clung to its walls like veins on dying skin.
Inside, dust danced in the moonlight. Eliza stepped in, clutching a photo of her brother who had been missing for five years.
"Eliza…"
The whisper wasn't the wind.
*****
Kana quickly read through the short story, already feeling a sense of unease settle in her chest. She could see how much effort Rose had put into creating the atmosphere. The house itself seemed to breathe, as if it were alive. Kana took a deep breath, trying to put her thoughts into words as she spoke...
Lonelygirl4556
> Wow, Rose! This atmosphere is amazing. You really nailed the eerie vibe of the Hollow House. I felt like I was there with Eliza, hearing that whisper, feeling the tension in the air. It's definitely got 'soul' now.
One thing I'd suggest is adding a little more about Eliza's emotional state. Is she scared? Nervous? Hopeful? Even just a short sentence could really help readers connect with her. You want to make sure we're feeling what she's feeling.
Also, I love the 'veins on dying skin' description—it's so vivid! But maybe think about the tone of the story. Is it too dark for Eliza's character or the mood you want to set? You might want to tone it down a little, or you could keep it if you feel it adds to the mystery.
****
After going through the rest of Rose's stories, Kana found that the changes were becoming fewer and fewer. Rose had really been paying attention to her feedback, incorporating it into her writing quickly.
When they wrapped up the session, both of them were surprised at how little time they had spent compared to yesterday.
Kana leaned back in her bed, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. She felt proud of Rose. There had been such a visible improvement in her writing over the past couple of days. She couldn't help but share her thoughts with Rose.
Lonelygirl4556
> I'm really impressed, Rose! You picked up on everything I mentioned yesterday so quickly. If you keep up this pace and make those small adjustments I pointed out today, I'm sure you'll be back on the school paper in no time.
Rose smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly at the praise. She nervously adjusted her glasses, feeling a little overwhelmed by the positive feedback.
RecklessSoul06
> Uh... thanks. It's just something I've always been able to do. Grabbing things quickly, I mean.
Kana laughed, a light-hearted sound that made her feel closer to Rose somehow.
Lonelygirl4556
> For real? I wish I had that ability. I could use some of that talent for myself!
Rose giggled at Kana's response, and the two shared a moment of light-hearted laughter. It was one of those rare, carefree moments where everything felt easy and warm.
But as the laughter died down, a soft silence settled between them. Both girls stared at their screens, the hum of their devices filling their respective rooms.
It was then that Rose remembered the questions she had been dying to ask Kana. The ones that had been lingering in her mind for days, ever since she had started connecting with Kana on a deeper level. Now, it felt like the perfect opportunity to ask.
RecklessSoul06
> Um...
Kana's fingers hovered over her screen as she waited for Rose to continue.
Lonelygirl4556
> What's up?
Rose took a deep breath, her hands feeling slightly clammy as she prepared to respond. She had been holding onto these questions for a while, unsure if it was too soon to ask. But now, with Kana's gentle encouragement, she felt more confident.
RecklessSoul06
> I… I just wanted to ask you a few questions. I mean, I want to get to know you better, if that's okay.
Kana paused for a moment, listening to Rose's message carefully. A gentle smile tugged at her lips as she recalled something Jane had told her earlier that day:
"I'm sure she wants to know more about you too."
Kana felt a warmth spread through her chest, realizing just how much Rose must trust her to open up like this. She quickly replied.
Lonelygirl4556
> Yeah, of course! Ask away. I'm all ears.
Rose sat quietly, her mind racing as she sifted through the pile of questions swirling in her head. Each one seemed more pressing than the last, and she struggled to pick the right one to ask first.
How old are you?
How do you write like that?
What inspired your poems on Twibbler?
Why don't you post pictures of yourself?
What high school did you go to?
Where do you live?
She rubbed her temples, overwhelmed by thoughts all fighting for attention. The more she tried to choose a question, the harder it became.
Then suddenly, like a light flicking on, she had it, a single question that captured everything. Sitting up straighter, heart quickening, Rose knew exactly what to ask.
RecklessSoul06
> Who is Lonelygirl4556? I wanna know who she is.
Kana, on the other end of the line, felt her heart warm as she heard the question. It was as if Rose had peeled away all the layers and gotten straight to the heart of it. A smile tugged at Kana's lips as a memory of something John had told her the day before surfaced in her mind.
"You make it easy to see you."
Her fingers instinctively tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she reflected on his words. She felt a surge of gratitude and understanding. There was something about this question that made her feel seen—really seen, for the first time.
She took a deep breath, her smile widening, and then she decided to answer in a way that felt right. Instead of replying immediately with just words, she felt compelled to ask something in return, something that would allow them to step beyond the screen and into a more intimate conversation.
Lonelygirl4556
> You wanna switch to a video call?
Rose's eyes widened in surprise as she heard the request. A video call? The very thought of it left her momentarily speechless. She had expected to continue the conversation in the familiar comfort of typed words, not in the real-time vulnerability of a face-to-face chat.
RecklessSoul06
> W...what? A video call? Why?
Kana could hear the hesitation in Rose's voice, but she wasn't deterred. If there was one thing she'd learned in her time online, it was the importance of truly connecting with people.
Lonelygirl4556
> When you want to talk about something really important, I think it'd be better if we talked about it face to face, don't you think?
Rose's brow furrowed as she processed Kana's response. The words felt oddly mature, a kind of wisdom that left her in awe. It wasn't just about talking; it was about connecting. Rose could almost feel the sincerity in Kana's voice through the phone. She had been prepared to just ask questions, but this felt different. It felt like an invitation into something real, something raw.
RecklessSoul06
> Yeah. Let's do it.
*****
A few moments later, their video call began. Kana's screen lit up with the image of a blonde girl in circular glasses. Rose, on the other hand, saw a girl in hospital pajamas, her long brown hair draped over frail shoulders.
Kana hesitated, fingers tugging at the hem of her sleeve. Then, quietly, she began.
She told Rose about the sickness that stole four years of her life. About how her family had slowly disappeared, her mother pretending she didn't exist. She spoke of the day that broke her — when she tried to end it all — and how, even in that darkness, something inside her refused to let go.
She told her about Dr. Kennedy, the only person who stayed. About Jane, who became the sister she never had. And about the birthday gift that changed everything; a phone. Her first real connection to the world.
Rose whispered, wiping her eyes.
RecklessSoul06
> I...I had no idea. Hearing your story, I finally understand why your poems carry so much soul. You've taken your pain and turned it into something beautiful, Kana.
Kana didn't know how to respond. She wanted to smile, to reassure Rose, but the sadness in her heart wouldn't let her. Instead, she simply nodded, feeling a sense of connection that she hadn't felt before.
RecklessSoul06
> T… thank you…
Kana furrowed her brow, confused by her response.
Lonelygirl4556
> Thank you? For what?
RecklessSoul06
> For sharing your story with me. (paused, wiping her tears) I know it must've been hard to open up like that, especially to someone like me, someone you don't even know. But you did it anyway. And I'm so grateful for that.
Kana shook her head softly, a sad smile tugging at her lips. She was used to hearing those words "thank you" but this time, it felt different. This time, she understood the depth of what Rose was saying.
Lonelygirl4556
> No... don't say that. We're no longer strangers. After everything I've shared, we're way past being strangers now.
RecklessSoul06
> I don't even know what to say… You've been through so much, and yet you're still here, helping me. You're incredible, Kana. You're not just a stranger—you're a real friend. I just wish I could do more for you.
Kana smiled, the warmth in her chest a stark contrast to the sadness in her eyes.
Lonelygirl4556
> It's okay. There's nothing anyone else can do. My fate's already been sealed, you know? But... just talking to me, like this... that's enough.
RecklessSoul06
> Of course! I'll talk to you every day from now on. And I'm going to introduce you to my best friend, Amanda. She's going to love you. I just know it!
Kana laughed softly, her heart lifting even just a little. The sound of Rose's enthusiasm was like a balm to her soul.
Lonelygirl4556
> Yeah… I'd love that. I can't wait to meet her.
Their conversation stretched into the night, a quiet bond forming between two once-strangers. In a world where people came and went, Kana had found someone who truly listened and Rose, someone who truly mattered.
They weren't just voices behind screens anymore. They were friends, connected by pain, hope, and the simple promise that neither of them would ever feel alone again.