How had this happened? How had she been so careless? How could she ever recover from this?

Her life was going to be over, wasn't it? She had been found out. Soon everyone would know, wouldn't they?

What was she saying? That wasn't going to happen. It wasn't. They were friends. She... she shouldn't care. But, she couldn't help but wonder if that was wrong.

What had happened? Somehow, through some carelessness, Claudine had found out a very big secret Maya had. A secret that honestly could be the end of her if it fell into the wrong hands.

Currently, Maya was holed up in her room, buried under her blankets and crying. She was scared. She was scared that she was going to lose everything again.

Again...

This wouldn't be the first time this would happen to her. She's gone through rejection already. She's suffered through it all once before. And now she was going to have to go through it again, wasn't she?

But... it was Claudine. Her... friend. Dare she say best friend? They were always at each other's side to help. So, why was she worried this wouldn't be the same?

Maya really wished she knew. Deep down, she felt like this was it. That thought was killing her. She wanted it to stop. But... how did she do that?

She jumped as there was a knock on her door.

"Maya?"

Claudine was there. Probably came to check on her, right? She... had run off immediately. But, Maya didn't know if she wanted to talk right now.

"Can I come in?"

Still, it seemed like Claudine wasn't giving up. Even if she wasn't getting a response, she was still trying.

"If you don't respond, I'm coming in."

Maya couldn't muster a response. She just tightened her grip on the blanket and pulled it closer. Was this the end?

The door opened, and Maya heard footsteps approaching her bed. She felt the pressure as Claudine sat down.

"Maya... are you alright?"

Maya remained still, deciding to try and act as if she was sleeping.

"Well... if you won't talk, I guess I'll start talking myself. So, this... this doesn't change anything. I know you're scared. But, you don't have to be. I don't care, Maya. I really don't."

Maya had desperately wanted to hear those words, but even now, it felt weird. Why wasn't she able to respond? She had been told everything she needed to hear, and yet wasn't able to convey that.

"That's really all I came to say. If you need to talk, I'm here. I might not understand what you're going through, but I'll do what I can to support you. If... you don't have anything to say, I guess I'll take my leave."

Maya felt Claudine start standing up. She frantically reached out and grabbed her arm. She... she didn't want her to leave.

"Maya?"

Maya peaked out of the blankets, looking down at the bed, "C-could you stay with me?"

"Sure." Claudine shrugged and sat back down.

Maya sat up, allowing the blanket to fall off of her. She could only assume how much of a mess she looked right now. Her eyes were probably red from crying. Her hair was an absolute disaster now. Even her uniform was a mess.

Claudine reached over and brushed away the hair in Maya's face, "Do you need anything?"

She sounded very genuine and concerned. Something Maya appreciated.

"Hug..."

"Come here." Claudine held out her arms.

Maya was shocked that Claudine had agreed so easily. She nervously moved closer and accepted the hug. She allowed herself to relax, breathing a sigh of relief. Everything was okay. She was fine. She hadn't lost anything.

She was still who she was. Nothing had changed. And, that was the best outcome she could ask for.