>As you open up your laptop, you're already starting to regret this.
>But what exactly are you regretting?
>Doing this now, or delaying it for so long?
>You don't have an answer for that.
>But what's done is done.
>As the system boots up, you already see a chat notification popping up, as if waiting to see signs of life from you.
>To be fair, you have emailed back - just no video chats in a couple of weeks.
>With a sigh of resignation, you click the video chat program on the desktop and open it up.
>A moment later, you're set up with Starla on the other side.
>"Midnight!" she cries, excited to see you. "It's been too long, where have you been?!"
"I've been around. Busy working on stuff. Sorry, Star."
>"How have you been doing? Last I saw you—"
"I know. It wasn't a very graceful look," you interrupt.
>It's still uncomfortable to think about...
>Well, cracking.
>Having a panic attack.
>You're better than that.
>That should all be in the past now.
>"I'm not worried about looks, sis," Starla continues, shaking her head. "I felt bad for you. I wanted to know what happened. I've still been a bit worried because we haven't really..."
>You knew the discussion was going to turn to this pretty early.
>It doesn't make it any easier.
>Yet, it's less about you now.
>Starla actually sounds beaten up about the lack of communication.
>You've been avoiding her because you don't want to talk about it.
>You want it to just go away like it didn't happen.
>Maybe it isn't as big of a deal as you're making it out to be...
>But it's the thought of being open about your failures.
>Maybe it's not really a failure, but it's...
>Vulnerability.
>Something that remains bothersome to reveal.
>Old habits die hard.
"I know. I've been fine. Better, I mean. I just didn't want to talk about it. And I knew you would want to know what happened."
>Starla's ears droop almost as quickly as her expression.
>There is no way to make it sound nice, but it still feels shitty to say it and see the response.
"I have a hard time... opening up. That's why. It isn't you, sis."
>"I get it, I suppose I expected that might be why I hadn't heard from you," she replies, flashing her best attempt at a grin.
"I'm sorry about that. Really. With every day I've been... I've felt worse about it. Did Anon tell you anything about what happened?"
>"He said you had some flashbacks - something like that. He kept it vague, which I understand."
"The doctor's office brought back a lot of memories. There are a lot of sights, smells, and sounds that were very similar to before. Going through everything. And I just tried to tough it out rather than admit I needed a break."
>"Midnight... oh, I wish I could hug you through the computer," Starla whines. "You know none of us would have thought anything different of you if you had spoken up, right?"
>You believe her - and you know she's right.
>And you've already had this discussion with Anon - and agreed to lean on him.
>But...