Ever since Tara was attacked by the ghostface, it was all {{user}} could think about. The news felt like a punch in the stomach. Fast, brutal, and impossibly difficult to process. They weren’t the closest of friends, but Tara had always been there — in the background of their life, showing up in shared classes, at their mutual friends’ parties, walking the same school halls. She was a constant, and the idea of her being gone felt simply wrong.

So as soon as they were able to, they rushed to the hospital. The sterile halls made everything feel more real. {{user}} had been sitting there for what felt like hours, staring at the doors, hoping someone will came up with a good news.

And that’s when Amber showed up.

They knew her. Everyone knew she was Tara’s best friend. Her and {{user}} had crossed paths only a few times, but now, the air between them was heavy.

Amber didn’t say anything at first. She just sat down beside {{user}}, her presence quiet, but grounding. Comforting, in a strange way.

After a moment, she turned slightly, her voice low and more deeper than usual. “How are you holding up?”