(A Friend in Need)

April 29th, 1943*

1:10 pm*

*Highlands High School*

The beautiful afternoon sun shone upon the school as Anya was in gym class, running the track as she was still thinking about what happened two days prior.

"It seems I can't catch a break, can't I? I just hope Neville doesn't show his face here.." Anya thought to herself, continuing to run the track as she did so.

During this, Charlotte, who was playing volleyball, watched Anya running the track with a concerned look on her face.

"I hope Anya is okay.." Charlotte thought to herself as she continued to play amongst her classmates.

3:10 pm*

Two hours passed since gym class and Anya exited the school building, hoping to get home so she could prepare for prom until she heard a familiar voice.

The voice was Cynthia Harris, and she was wearing shades to avoid publicity from anyone who might recognize her.

"Hey, girl. What's with the long face? I want my good ole doppelgänger to smilin." Cynthia (Now 20 years old) greeted Anya with a smile, waving at her.

After this, Anya turned back and was surprised to see Cynthia, her dear friend.

"H-Hey! It's great to see you and I've been dealing with stuff, but I'm hanging in there, how about you?" Anya responded, hugging her friend with a smile while Cynthia hugged back.

"Oh no. I hope that you're able to take care of those things, and I've been good. Cynthia responded as she and Anya began walking.

"Thank you, I've been trying..oh, I love your tan. It suits you quite well, my good friend." Anya responded while also admiring Cynthia's new look.

Of course, this made Cynthia smile at what she heard before speaking.

"Aww, thanks. I'm glad you've noticed. I did it because I wanted a new look and also Robert, my husband, has a thing for tan girls, so you know I had to do it." Cynthia responded, laughing to herself while Anya laughed back, feeling a bit better.

"How wonderful, and I'm glad things are going well between the both of you." Anya responded with more joy in her voice while she continued walking with her friend.

During the walk, Cynthia looked back and noticed Anya's change in demeanor.

"Hey, If you need anythin. Don't be afraid to hit up your girl, okay? I'm always a telephone call away." Cynthia advised her friend, looking her in the eye while Anya nodded.

"Thanks. You've always been such a help, and I will." Anya responded, feeling more better as both girls resumed walking.

During the walk, Cynthia softly hummed to herself, enjoying the walk while Anya found it to be soothing.

"You have a good singing voice. You should sing more, I know you're still modeling of course." Anya complimented while Cynthia turned around, smiling back.

"Thanks, girl. If I'm feelin up for it. I might just sing during your prom, and I know, a twenty-year-old gal like me attending prom is odd and all.." Cynthia thanked Anya with a smile, looking up to the sky afterward, speaking once more.

"But I want to live my life without regrets. All that fame isn't worth it if I'm going to waste it all away doing nothin." Cynthia spoke once more to Anya, feeling a little more serious before quickly laughing.

"Damn, didn't expect to get all serious but, yeah, it's how I feel and all." Cynthia spoke yet again to Anya while Anya nodded with complete understanding.

"Oh no, I get it. It's nice to spend time with your loved ones. You'll never know when you might need it." Anya responded, patting her friend on the shoulder while doing so.

Soon after, a limousine arrived, parking in front of the two girls.

"Oh crap, it's for me. My man is lookin for me since I'm not supposed to be here..yet.." Cynthia spoke to Anya, chuckling to herself while Anya's eyes widened in surprise.

"Cynthia, don't tell me you snuck out? I don't want you to encounter any stalkers or anything." Anya responded in a joking manner.

Of course, Cynthia chucked, responding to what she heard.

"Yeahh, I'm still bound to my bodyguard's rules and I also promised Robert a special night.." Cynthia responded, blushing at her last comment while Anya tilted her head in confusion, not getting what her friend meant.

"Special night? You mean dinner?" Anya asked, feeling confused by what she heard while Cynthia smirked.

"Oh, well, you know! Just husband and wife doing things…" Cynthia responded in a somewhat flirty voice before she opened the limo door, waving at Robert while she got in the limo.

During this, Anya saw Robert and she and him waved at each other with a smile.

"Hey, Anya. How are things going? Excited for prom in a few days? Can't wait to see you and your friends there?" Robert greeted Anya from the limo with a smile while Anya waved back.

"I'm doing okay, and I'm excited. I've picked out my dress and, yeah. I'm pretty excited." Anya responded, feeling a bit excited and nervous about prom while Robert nodded understandably.

"I'm so glad, and I wish we could talk more but we have to get going so I'll be seeing you." Robert responded to Anya for the final time, waving goodbye while Anya did the same.

"Thanks and same for you, Robert. It was wonderful speaking to you." Anya responded to Robert, waving him goodbye as well. Soon after, Cynthia waved her friend goodbye as well.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now. It was nice chattin with you, girl. See you at prom." Cynthia spoke to Anya for the final time.

"Same for you, my friend." Anya responded, smiling while seeing the door close as the limo drove off, leaving her alone.

After seeing this, Anya took a deep breath before walking again; however, she remembered Neville's assault on her, causing her to feel nervous.

Anya's breathing became rapid, not too fast but slow breaths that made her sit down on the nearby bench.

"P-Please don't let Neville be here.." Anya thought to herself, feeling more anxious due to her being alone and the fear of Neville.

Anya's heartbeat and breathing increased as she found herself having a small panic attack.

Anya could feel herself sweating profusely along with her breathing and heart rate increasing, and this went on until she felt a warm hand touching her hand, it was Charlotte.

"It's okay, I'm here…breath in and out. Count slowly.." Charlotte advised Anya in a soft-spoken voice, gently breathing alongside Anya.

After this, Anya nodded, beginning to breathe in and out while counting in her head, hoping that she'll calm down.

This went on for a few seconds until Anya was able to calm down.

"T-Thank you.." Anya softly thanked Charlotte, smiling at her.

"Anytime, and do you want some water?" Charlotte asked Anya, gently offering her the water bottle.

"S-Sure.." Anya responded in a calm yet monotone voice, drinking the water.

During this, Charlotte felt relief that her friend was able to calm down.

"Do you feel comfortable receiving a hug, friend?" Charlotte asked Anya in a gentle yet warm voice, respecting the boundaries of her friend.

After hearing this, Anya nodded, accepting the offer, not saying a word.

"I love you, Anya." Charlotte spoke to her friend, hugging her tightly yet gently at the same time.

This act made Anya nearly tear up; however, she managed to control it.

"I love you too, my friend, thank you for being there for me…" Anya responded, feeling the warmth of her friend.

With the support of her friend, Anya continued to push through the difficult week she was having.

*2 days until prom*