The walls were thin, so when Tzuyu heard a soft bump coming from just outside her room, she rose up from her bed.

Hello?

Is someone there?

Hi.

You must be new.

I am.

Who are you?

I'm Jihyo.

I'm Tzuyu.

Nice to meet you, Tzuyu.

Nice to meet you, too.

Have you been here for long?

Yeah.

I've been here for really long.

Oh. Okay.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

It's just, I'm all alone in here,

And it's my first day,

And I'm really scared.

Well, if you ever need someone to talk to,

I'll be here.

As long as you need me.

As long as I need you?

As long as you need me.

Oh. Okay.

Good.

It's getting late now.

Let's go to sleep, yeah?

Wait.

I just have one question.

What is it?

Does it get better?

All of this.

Does it get better?

…

Yes.

It gets better.

We can talk more in the morning, okay?

You'll be here in the morning?

Of course I will.

As long as you need me.

Oh. Right.

Goodnight, Jihyo.

Goodnight, Tzuyu.

 

---

 

The walls were thin, so when Tzuyu heard voices coming from the other room, she decided it was safe to start talking.

Jihyo? Are you there?

I'm here, Tzuyu.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Have you eaten breakfast yet?

I did.

It wasn't that good, though.

What did you have?

Eggs, toast, fruit, and juice.

What about you?

I had the same thing,

But I also got a pudding cup.

How'd you get that?

I thought that was only for dessert.

It is.

But I've been here for so long,

All I had to do was ask.

You should try it.

Okay.

I will.

I have to go now.

I know.

I have to go too.

Talk to you tonight?

Of course.

Bye, Tzuyu.

Bye, Jihyo.

 

---

 

The walls were thin, so Tzuyu could hear the conversation in the other room.

It didn't sound good.

She didn't talk to Jihyo that night.

 

---

 

Tzuyu? Are you up?

I'm up.

Good morning, Jihyo.

Good morning.

Why didn't you talk to me last night?

I overheard the nurse.

I didn't want to disturb you.

Oh.

That's very nice of you.

But don't worry about that.

I'm getting better, I promise.

Okay.

Okay.

Hey.

Yeah?

I asked the lady for pudding this time.

Did you get it?

I did!

I got to eat pudding for breakfast!

That's good.

I'm happy for you.

Thank you for telling me.

You're welcome.

…

So, will you be here tonight?

Yes, I will.

I'll be here as long as you need me.

Oh. Right.

Promise?

I promise.

The walls were thin, so when the promise was made, they could hear the smile on the other girl's face.

 

---

 

Tzuyu rested her back against the wall.

It was just before bedtime, the perfect time to talk.

Jihyo?

You there?

I'm here, Tzuyu.

I have a question.

What is it?

How long have you been here?

Oh.

I don't know.

A long time, though.

How do you know?

I feel like I've been here a month,

But I know it's only been a week.

Well,

When I came here I had short hair.

Then I had long hair, all the way to my waist.

And now it's short again.

Oh.

What's wrong?

You sound sad.

It's nothing,

It's stupid.

No, your feelings are never stupid.

You can trust me.

What's wrong?

It's just,

There's nothing in here.

And I don't get a lot of time outside,

So it gets lonely.

I feel lonely.

…

I felt lonely, too.

It gets better, though.

Just give it some time.

How do you know?

Well, before you,

Someone else lived in your room.

Her name was Nayeon.

We were friends.

She sounds nice.

She was.

But don't worry about being lonely anymore.

You have me now.

Thank you, Jihyo.

You're welcome.

No,

I mean, thank you for keeping your promise.

No one's ever done that for me before.

No problem.

It's what friends are for.

We're friends?

Of course we are.

I mean,

Only if you want to be.

I've never had that before either.

Yeah, I think I'd like that.

I'm glad.

Me too.

I want to talk more,

But it's getting late.

Talk more tomorrow?

You already know the answer.

Talk more tomorrow.

Good night, Tzuyu.

Good night, Jihyo.

 

---

 

It became tradition. It became routine.

The sound that woke her from bed, the words that lulled her to sleep.

The person that got her through the day, the girl that helped her get better.

 

---

 

Tell me more about you.

What do you want to know?

Anything,

Anything to get to know you better.

How you look, what you like.

Anything.

Well, I have short black hair, to my shoulders.

I'm short, I think, shorter than the nurse at least,

But that's all I can tell you.

I don't really remember what I look like.

What about you?

I have long black hair,

And if you're short, then I think I'm tall,

Because I'm taller than the nurse.

I don't remember anything else, either,

But I remember that I like music.

Me too!

I like to sing,

But I don't remember a lot of songs.

I remember some songs.

We should sing together sometime,

How would you like that?

I'd like that very much, Tzuyu,

I'd like that very much.

Let's do this every day, then.

Do what?

Share one thing about each other,

Every day, so we can get to know each other.

Sounds fun!

Just one, though,

So we won't run out.

If we run out, we can always sing.

Next time, then.

Next time, we can sing.

Next time, then,

And the time after that,

And the time after that.

As long as I need you.

As long as you need me.

 

---

 

The walls were thin, but Tzuyu didn't need to hear anything to know Jihyo was already on the other side—waiting for her, just like she promised.

Good morning, Jihyo.

Good morning, Tzuyu.

Do you still get the pudding for breakfast?

I do.

I got two, actually,

And I didn't even ask.

Really?

The lady said it was my birthday.

I don't remember what day it was,

But I trust her.

And I got an extra pudding out of it!

Happy birthday, Tzuyu!

Thank you, Jihyo.

How would you like the first song we sing to be Happy Birthday?

I remember this one.

I'd love that.

Great!

Ready?

I'm ready.

Okay.

One, two, three,

Happy Birthday…

 

---

 

Thing of the Day,

Thing of the Day?

What's that?

You know,

The thing we share every day.

Sorry, is that a bad name?

Oh.

No, no.

It's perfect.

Okay!

I'll start.

Thing of the Day, Day One.

My favorite color is blue.

Good choice!

Day One,

My favorite color is purple.

That's also a pretty color!

They laughed.

This is fun!

I can't wait to learn more about you.

Me too.

Talk more tonight?

Talk more tonight.

Bye, Tzuyu.

Bye Jihyo.

 

---

 

If we share things in the morning,

Can we sing at night?

How about,

Song of the day?

That's perfect!

Song of the day, Day One

…

What should it be?

I have an idea.

What is it?

Close your eyes.

Why?

It's a lullaby.

Oh.

Will I fall asleep, then?

I hope so.

That's what lullabies are supposed to be.

Oh, then goodnight, Jihyo.

I can't say that if I'm asleep.

Oh, right.

Goodnight, Tzuyu.

Are your eyes closed?

They're closed.

Okay.

Sweet dreams, Tzuyu.

And Jihyo sang her to sleep.

 

---

 

It became normal. It became everyday.

The smiles to say good morning, the songs to say goodnight.

The girl to make her day, the girl to make her heart.

It became a need. She became her everything.

 

---

 

Thing of the Day, Day Fifteen,

Strawberry is the best flavor.

Interesting,

But I'm sad to say I disagree.

Really?

What can beat strawberry?

Chocolate is the king of flavors!

Has chocolate ever tasted bad?

No, but,

I'm sorry, I don't make the rules.

I mean,

Okay, you have a point.

Strawberry just means something to me,

I guess.

What do you mean?

I don't remember much,

But I used to have a friend, I think,

Before all of this.

She really liked strawberries.

Aw,

That's cute.

Just for that,

I'll allow you to like strawberry over chocolate.

That's nice of you.

But if chocolate is your favorite,

It might just become my favorite, too.

They both smiled at that.

I have to go now.

I know,

Me too.

Talk more tonight.

I already have a song in mind.

I can't wait.

Bye, Jihyo.

Bye, Tzuyu.

 

---

 

Let's switch things up.

What do you mean?

This time, you can sing me to sleep.

But, but,

I'm not as good as you.

What are you talking about?

I hear you sometimes, singing with me.

You sound like an angel, Tzuyu.

I do?

I'm sure of it.

In fact,

I'm not too sure you aren't actually an angel.

Tzuyu laughed.

Okay, sweet talker.

How about instead,

We sing together?

Sounds perfect.

 

---

 

Time passed faster when she had someone to look forward to.

She felt like she was getting better, she really did.

Jihyo meant more to her than she knew, did more for her than anyone else in this place.

Maybe she should tell her that.

Yeah, she'll tell her that.

Next time.

 

---

 

Thing of the Day, Day Ninety.

We've been doing this for ninety days?

Already?

That's crazy.

Time flies, I guess.

Yeah,

I guess it does.

Anyway,

Day Ninety,

Tzuyu took a deep breath.

I wanted to say thank you, Jihyo.

What for?

For all of this.

I know it's not much,

But you've done so much for me.

You mean a lot to me,

And I wanted to say thank you.

Oh.

Jihyo smiled.

Well, you're welcome.

Thank you, too.

It's nice to have someone to talk to, again.

But that's what friends are for, right?

Right, friends.

Tzuyu wasn't sure how she liked the taste of that word.

She smiled, anyway, not that Jihyo could see it if she didn't.

Yeah.

That's what friends are for.

As long as you need me.

Hey!

Isn't that my line?

It can be our line.

I'm here for you, too,

Just so you know.

I know.

I'm here, too.

They smiled.

As long as you need me.

 

---

 

Tzuyu was getting better for sure, she knew it.

The nurse even told her so.

She owed it to Jihyo. She owed it all to Jihyo.

She couldn't have done it without her.

The thing was, she wasn't sure if Jihyo was getting better, too.

--

The walls were thin, so Tzuyu could hear the screams as Jihyo was dragged out of her room.

Her room was awfully quiet after that.

She didn't sleep that night.

 

---

 

The walls were thin, but Tzuyu couldn't hear anything.

Hello, the nurse said. Here's your breakfast.

Tzuyu took the tray gratefully.

Same pudding? the nurse asked.

Oh,

No thank you.

The nurse frowned.

Are you sure? You've had it every day.

Tzuyu shook her head politely, thinking only about the empty room next door.

I'm just not feeling it today.

Thank you, though.

You're welcome. Goodbye, then.

Tzuyu nodded, and she was alone again.

She was alone for a while, after that.

 

---

 

Thing of the Day, Day Ninety-One.

I don't know where you went,

But I hope you're okay.

In the meantime,

I'll keep this up so we don't lose track, okay?

How embarrassing would it be to start all over again?

She laughed, but there was nothing behind it.

Come back soon, okay?

I'll be right here,

Just remember that.

Remember me, okay?

I'll be right here.

As long as you need me.

--

Song of the day, Day Ninety-Three.

I don't remember the name of the song,

But it was the first one you sang to me.

I think I had the best sleep of my life that night.

Tzuyu sighed and rested her head against the wall.

It felt colder than before.

Anyway,

Here it goes.

--

Thing of the Day, Day Ninety-Five.

I'm sorry, I forgot to do this yesterday.

I overslept, so I didn't even have time to eat breakfast.

I'll say two today, to make up for it.

Number one: I didn't get the chance to say it back,

But you have the voice of an angel, too,

And I'm not sure you aren't one yourself, either.

Number two:

She took a deep breath, calming a heartbeat towards a girl who wasn't even there to hear it.

Number two: I think I've fallen,

I think I've fallen in love with you.

--

Thing of the Day, Day One Hundred.

I already said it before,

But somehow it feels right to say it again,

On Day One Hundred.

Jihyo,

And even the mere sound of her name was enough to bring a smile to Tzuyu's face.

Jihyo,

I love you.

 

---

 

The nurse came by to drop off her breakfast, but Tzuyu stopped her before she could leave.

Can I ask you a question?

The nurse paused her actions. What is it?

What happened to Jihyo?

The girl next door.

She hasn't been there for a while.

The nurse's expression quickly changed. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to talk about other patients.

Tzuyu tensed, almost shot out of her bed.

Is she okay, though?

Can you at least tell me if she's okay?

Tzuyu's shoulders fell.

That's all I need to know,

If she's okay or not.

Please.

The nurse couldn't help but soften as her words. She's fine. There's no need to worry.

But all Tzuyu's been doing these past weeks was worry.

The nurse seemed to tell. She should be back soon, she added. Just wait a little longer.

Tzuyu bit her lip to keep it from quivering.

Okay,  

Thank you.

You're welcome.

The nurse left and Tzuyu sighed.

Jihyo was okay. That was good.

She just had to wait a little longer.

A little longer?

She would wait forever for Jihyo.

 

---

 

The nurse was right.

The walls were thin, so Tzuyu could hear the moment Jihyo walked back into her room.

Her blanket fell to the floor as she scrambled to sit up straight.

Jihyo?

Is that you?

There wasn't an answer, and Tzuyu was afraid she made the whole thing up in her head.

She wouldn't be surprised. Maybe she wasn't getting better, after all.

But then there was another sound, a softer sound. A weight against the wall, a presence missing for so long Tzuyu could almost feel it on her fingertips.

Jihyo?

Hi, Tzuyu.

Tzuyu couldn't stop the tears that came with her voice.

She missed that voice so much.

Jihyo!

You're back!

Are you okay? Are you hurt?

Did they do anything to you?

What happened?

To say Tzuyu was worried was the understatement of the century, but Jihyo's small chuckle to her (slight) panic attack was enough to calm her down, if only for a moment.

Breath, Tzuyu.

Breathe.

Yes, I'm okay.

No, I'm not hurt.

No, they didn't hurt me.

And I don't know what happened.

What do you mean you don't know what happened?

You were gone for two weeks!

I only know this because I kept count with our Thing of the Day.

It felt like months without you.

...

I was scared.

I don't remember what happened.

And I'm sorry I scared you,

I'm so so sorry.

I'm here now, though, okay?

I can't tell you what happened, but for now,

I'm here.

You can breathe now, Tzuyu.

You promise you're okay?

I promise.

Okay.

Okay.

Will you,

Will you sing me a song?

I haven't been sleeping too well.

Of course I will.

Any requests?

Yeah,

The first song you sang.

I'll sing with you.

Okay.

Jihyo smiled.

Ready?

I'm ready.

Alright.

Goodnight, Tzuyu.

Why are you saying goodnight?

Because we'll both be asleep by the end of this.

Oh, right.

Tzuyu smiled.

Goodnight, Jihyo.

Okay.

Ready?

I'm ready.

One, two, three,

So they sang the night away, and they sang Tzuyu's worries along with it.

She had the best sleep of her life that night.

 

---

 

Thing of the Day, Day One Hundred and Three,

We're already that far?

Yeah,

You were gone for a while.

I'm sorry.

You don't need to apologize.

You're here now,

And that's all that matters.

Right.

I'm here now.

Anyway,

Day One Hundred and Three,

Tzuyu smiled.

I missed you, Jihyo.

I missed you a lot.

I missed you too, Tzuyu.

More than you know.

They enjoyed a silence after that, sharing comfort in the knowledge that the other girl was right there, just on the other side of the wall.

About that, though.

About what?

About my time away.

I said I don't remember much,

But there's one thing I remember.

What is it?

Do you mind if I add one more thing,

To our Thing of the Day?

I know I'm breaking the rules,

But it'll be just this once.

I promise.

Of course you can.

Jihyo never broke her promises, anyway.

Day One Hundred and Three.

I'm leaving next week.

 

---

 

Can I have a pudding cup with that?

The nurse smiled. Of course you can.

Are things better? Now that the girl is back?

Tzuyu's lips were tight.

I guess you could say that.

I'm glad.

Goodbye, then.

 

---

 

Tzuyu closed her eyes. It wasn't like she had anything to look at, anyway.

Jihyo?

Are you there?

Hi, Tzuyu.

I'm here.

Will you sing me a song?

Of course I will.

Any requests?

No.

Anything is fine.

I just want to hear your voice.

…

I didn't get the chance to say it back,

But you have the voice of an angel, too,

And I'm not sure you aren't one yourself, either.

Jihyo laughed.

Tzuyu tried to.

Okay, sweet talker.

Goodnight, then.

Goodnight.

Sweet dreams

And so Jihyo sang Tzuyu to sleep, just like she always did.

 

---

 

Tzuyu sighed.

A couple days passed, normal ones, just like before.

A couple days was a lot, though, and it was about time she asked.

Before it was too late.

Jihyo?

Yes, Tzuyu?

I have a question.

What is it?

When do you leave?

She braced herself for the answer.

…

Tomorrow.

I leave tomorrow.

Oh.

…

Congratulations, by the way.

I forgot to say it before.

Right.

Thank you.

That means tonight's our last Song of the Day,

Doesn't it?

Oh.

Right.

Yeah.

Well if that's the case,

Will you sing with me?

…

It's been a while since we sang together.

Of course I will.

Goodnight then, Jihyo.

Goodnight, Tzuyu.

Ready?

Wait,

What song are we singing?

You already know, don't you?

Guilty as charged.

I do.

They smiled, a sad one, but a real one nonetheless.

Alright then.

Ready?

I'm ready.

Okay.

Here we go.

One, two, three,

And they sang the night away together—just like the first time, and as they fell asleep and the lyrics swam away, for the last time.

 

---

 

It's time for me to go.

I know.

But before you go,

Can we do one last Thing of the Day?

Of course we can.

Okay.

Thing of the Day, Day One Hundred and Ten.

I'll miss you, Jihyo.

…

Thing of the Day, Day One Hundred and Ten.

I'll come visit sometime.  

Do you promise?

I promise.

…

I have to go now.

I know.

Okay.

Tzuyu felt the air change, and her words came faster than her thoughts.

Wait!

Yes?

I have one more thing to add,

To our Thing of the Day.

Is that okay?

Of course it is.

(Something else I didn't get the chance to say.)

But Tzuyu froze, and her thoughts came rushing back.

I, I, I'll,

She took a deep breath and rested her back against the wall, against where she knew Jihyo was, too.

She sighed.

I'll be waiting for you.

Jihyo smiled.

I'll be waiting for you, too.

I promise.

Tzuyu smiled, but she knew the promise was empty.

Jihyo already broke their first one, anyway.

Goodbye, then.

Goodbye, then.

--

The walls were thin, so Tzuyu made sure to wait until she heard the door close before she fell onto her bed.

She closed her eyes.

…

I love you.

 

---

 

The day pass, slow, silent, meaningless.

Tzuyu wasn't getting better for sure, she knew it.

The nurse even told her so.

She owed it to Jihyo. She owed it all to Jihyo.

 

---

 

Jihyo didn't come back.

Tzuyu didn't blame her.

 

---

 

Tzuyu sighed.

She set her empty pudding cup aside and fell to her bed

The walls were thin, though, so when Tzuyu heard a soft bump coming from just outside her room, she rose up from her bed.

Hello?

Is someone there?

Tzuyu felt her heart skip a beat.

Hi.

I'm here.

You must be new.

She felt something else, too.

Familiarity.

It all felt so familiar.

I am.

Who are you?

I'm Tzuyu.

Oh.

Hi, Tzuyu.

I'm Sana.

Nice to meet you, Sana.

Have you been here for long?

Not too long,

But it's been a while.

Oh. Okay.

What's wrong?

Nothing, it's just,

I'm all alone in here.

And I'm scared.

Tzuyu ached at Sana's words, heard herself in the things she said.

She sighed.

Jihyo didn't come back, but Tzuyu thought about her anyway.

She thought about all the time she spent with her, and against all her judgment, she smiled.

Well, if you ever need someone to talk to,

I'll be here.

Really?

That's good.

It's time to go now,

But we can talk later.

Wait!

I just have one question.

What is it?

(But Tzuyu already knew what it was before Sana asked.)

Does it get better?

All of this.

Does it get better?

Tzuyu closed her eyes, and just like that, every single day passed by in a flash.

She thought back, to the sound that woke her from bed, the words that lulled her to sleep.

She taught back, to the person that got her through the day, the girl that helped her get better.

She thought back, to the smiles to say good morning, the songs to say goodnight.

She thought back, to the girl to make her day, and the girl to make her heart.

To Jihyo, the girl that made it all okay.

And Tzuyu smiled.

Yes.

It gets better.

You can trust me.

Okay.

Thank you.

For what?

For being here.

No one's ever done that before.

Well, you can count on me.

I promise.

You promise?

I promise.

And Tzuyu had no intentions on breaking that promise.

You can count on me.

I'll be here.

The words came naturally.

As long as you need me.