Keller’s POV “I-I can stay with her, Mom.” I watch Zara while she grimaces and talks in her sleep. Mom and I have both tried to wake her up, but it was a useless effort. She woke up for a moment and said something about finding a solution and fell back asleep. Whatever she’s dreaming about, it’s upsetting her and it’s painful to watch. “I don’t want to leave her.” “Keller, if I can feel your anxiety, imagine what she is going through right now!” Mom’s tone changes as she becomes protective of Zara. “Go take a walk.” “Mom-“ I stand up and feel myself take a step back. After twenty-two years, I know what comes next. ‘Take a walk’ is Mom’s warning that Lily isn’t happy. In a flash, Lily comes to the surface, throwing an arm across Zara’s body. Her eyes turn black, and she snarls at me with long fangs. “Get. Back.” “Okay, okay! I get it, Lily!” I raise my hands up and back out of the room, closing the door behind me. 

Even though we had talked about her going to bed early, she was on a roll in the living room, so I didn’t bother her. It was close to midnight when I find her asleep on the sofa in front of her laptop. I crouch down in front of her and slide the computer off her lap. I take a moment to cherish her delicate features before I lean forward and caress my fingers across her cheek. How is it possible for her to become more beautiful every day? “Time for bed, Pocket.” I use a quiet tone so I won’t startle her. Part of me doesn’t want to wake her up. I would rather move her papers out of the way and snuggle up on the sofa with her. She opens her sleepy eyes for a moment and hums when she closes them again. “Is it morning?” “Not yet, but it’s pretty late.” I tilt my head and watch her try to wake up enough to go to her room. “Mmm, okay.” She opens her eyes again and smiles at me. “I stayed up too late. There’s still more to do.” I chuckle and take her

Zara lets me buckle her in after I help her into the car, but takes she my hand before I’m finished. “What changed your mind?” Her question catches me off guard. I look up at her and think of the best way to answer. She looks so tired. I wish I could give her my energy. Hopefully, after I accept her, she will start feeling better. If not, I’ll search the world for a doctor that can help her. “I think it’s more that I stopped changing my mind. I stopped trying to convince myself that I'm not good enough for you or that the differences between us are reasons to not be with you. Thinking about you leaving, not being able to talk to you or spend time with you, no more notes on the kitchen counter, spending my nights watching cartoons, or making sure I stock the fridge with apple juice instead of beer.” I shake my head resolutely and kiss her hand between my words. “I would be stupid to miss out on sharing my life with you, Zara. The more I get to know you, the more I see

“ZARA?!” I call out, panicking and sniffing the air for her rose and chamomile scent. I follow my nose to the bathroom.  “Zara?” I crack the door open and peek in. I see her curled up next to the toilet. She looks clammy and her eyes are closed, her head is resting against the toilet seat. When she opens her eyes, she tries to look at me, but the movement upsets her stomach. She turns and vomits into the bowl. Well, mostly into the bowl. The smell of apple juice and a faint familiar sweet tang mixes with the pungent bile from her stomach.  Oh fuck. This can’t be happening. I look at my watch. It’s four forty-five a.m. If she’s vomiting now, that means she took the drug before she cut herself. She must have mixed in it with the juice. “No no no no no, Zara, no no no…” I run over and kneel next to her, taking her face in my hands. Her head is heavy and her eyes try to roll back, but she’s fighting to keep looking at me. I use my sleeve to wipe

“Zara, what are you doing out of bed?” I put her phone in my pocket and rush to her. “Why were you looking at my phone?” Her voice still sounds small, but the color is back in her face. “Come on, Zara. Let’s get you back to bed. I don’t know how you are even awake right now, but you need to rest.” I turn her by her shoulders, but she stops me. When she tries to turn back around, she wobbles on her feet and grips the doorway. I catch her by the waist and support her. “No, wait, what were you doing with my phone?” She persists, trying to push my hands off of her. She is still weak, but determined. “No arguments. Back to bed.” I pick her up and carry her. To be honest, I don’t even know how to explain how upset I am about what I just saw without lashing out at her. Thankfully, she doesn’t fight me and lets me carry her back to her bed. “Keller, tell me.” She sits up straight in the bed and looks at me. Her face is full of concern. “What were you