The Sway and Slide of Love by Jean Song

Noelle knew she was sick. She knew Seline was no longer in this world, yet she kept hearing her voice lately.

Sometimes, Seline would talk to her as usual, chattering about the latest gossip. Other times, she would cry and ask Noelle why she didn't save her. At times, she would say she had willingly sacrificed herself and that Noelle shouldn't feel guilty.

But then there were times she would angrily call Noelle ungrateful, asking why she had to die, why it had to be her of all people?

These voices and images of Seline kept appearing in front of Noelle. They didn't even feel like hallucinations, because when Noelle reached out, she could almost

feel Seline's presence.

But Seline was already gone.

Hendrix took Noelle to see a psychologist. But Noelle refused to talk to the psychologist. She wouldn't let anyone bring up Seline's name, yet she kept telling Hendrix that she wanted to see Marla and Marshall.

She knew they resented her, but she still wanted to see them. She even felt that only if they lashed out at her would she feel a little better.

"Wait a couple of days. I'll take you to see them once the weather is better," Hendrix said.

at him. "You're lying

"I'm not."

not going to take me to see

I promised you something, then you can be

turned her head to stare blankly out of the

had found out a couple of days ago that she was in Hendrix's newly built house. From where she was sitting, she could see the

leaves fallen? Or had the new

know, nor was she willing to think about it anymore. She just closed her eyes

her for a while, then reached out to tuck her in before leaving

household staff

on Noelle. Call me immediately

Freeman." The household staff nodded. But by the time she looked up,

where Rosie had been staying this whole time. Beatrice cared for her just as she always had,

no longer played on the swings or liked any of her

herself in her room, silently

hired a psychologist for