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.

him. "You're

"I'm not."

me to see

then you can be sure that I'll make it happen,"

her head to stare blankly out

ago that she was in Hendrix's newly built house. From where she was sitting, she could see the green

winter-when hadn't the leaves fallen? Or had the new year already arrived? So, how long had it been since

nor was she willing to think about it anymore.

a while, then reached out to tuck her in before

household staff quickly

on Noelle. Call me

by the time she looked up, Hendrix

drove straight from Roselle Court to Sienna Villa, where Rosie had been staying this whole time. Beatrice cared for her just as she always

no longer played on the swings or liked any of

in her room, silently

had also hired a psychologist for her,