Cebolla waited patiently inside the cafe. Kristen and Ringtail could arrive any minute. They didn't arrive till it got dark, even snow had begun to fall and stick on the ground. Kristen entered through the front door while Ringtail chose to run around for a bit outside. Both simply looked while they were both at a loss of words.
Until Kristen spoke up, "Can we talk?"
Cebolla's hope went up, "Yes! We can talk down here if you don't want to go upstairs"
Taking a seat, Ringtail finally entered, he jumped into Cebolla's arms.
"Did you leave to check up on her? Where's your shark hat?"
He cooed in response before she let him roam on the ground
"I'm really sorry. I should've warned you, and done enough that night at my parent's home. I thought I could fix everything with that dinner, and I only made things worse."
"I didn't mean for you to feel like I was embarrassed of you, and I'm really sorry for what I said, about proving my dad right. Of course I didn't mean it." Kristen continued
"Oo cookie, for me?" Ringtail jumped on the table behind them and chowed down.
"I'm sorry too. I let it turn into a fight, and afterwards when I let my pride take over. I could've handled it better, I know how they've been making you feel lately. "
"But.. Kristen, you worry too much about what your parents think. It's your life, not theirs"
"I know, but knowing that and trying to live it are different things. I grew up trying not to disappoint them. I was trying to juggle everything, school, them... us"
Cebolla stood up, "...So what does that mean for us then?"
"It means I can't juggle everything right now"
"So... then this is it? There's no second chance?" Cebolla asked on the verge of tears
"For now" She grabbed her hands, "Until someday, when I'm actually ready"
As Cebolla broke down into tears, Kristen pulled her into a tight hug
Ringtail's focus was elsewhere,
For a moment neither said a word.
"You, you should take Ringtail. So you're not feeling lonely"
"Are you sure? Isn't he the cafe's mascot?" Kristen asked
"He'll just miss all the snacks but he'll miss you more if he stayed. Maybe he can visit from time to time... with his shark hat"
Kristen began to laugh as she accepted Cebolla's offer.
Before they could leave, Cebolla woke up Ringtail and lifted him up.
"You take care of her, okay Ringtail?"
It wasn't an easy good bye for Cebolla but she had hope for their future
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