Since Scarlett's admission into hospital, the closest Stephie had come to visiting her was watching her through the window in her door. At first it was because she was angry at Scarlett, for losing it when Stephie needed her but by now her anger had dissipated and turned into something else. A sort of helplessness whenever she heard how badly Scarlett was doing. And frustration. If Tasha could convince herself she was living in the real world now, why couldn't Scarlett? Scarlett hadn't even been taken by Magnus.

Maiya said she shouldn't people's problems because everyone handled stuff differently but Stephie couldn't help it, really. It was too hard to just accept what Scarlett was going through. When someone was suffering, it was so much easier to be around them when you could tell they were trying to get better, but Scarlett hadn't reached that point yet, and till she did, Stephie had no idea how to help her.

But mostly, mostly she just missed her Scarlett. They'd been friends for years and years and she considered Scarlett her sister like she considered Thomas her brother, and there had been times in Stephie's life when Scarlett had been the only one she wanted near her. And now on her birthday, Scarlett was pretty much the only one she wanted to talk to.

Stephie bit down hard on her knuckles then pushed the door open, slowly. She lingered near the doorway, wondering why Scarlett was asleep on the floor, and wondering if it would be really bad if she woke her up. Afraid to try, she leaned up against the wall and watched her, chewing the skin on her knuckles, waiting.