terrified of what those memories might bring. Still, he tried. He tried for Mia. He tried for the man he hoped he could become. Each visit with her brought a strange mix of hope a

ing demeanor falling away. She walked over to him, taking the journal from his hands and placing it back on the table. "You don't have to have it all figured out right now. You just have to show up. And she'll see it. Believe me, she will." Jack looked at his friend, her words sinking deep. Rachel had always been the one to make light of situations, to inject humor into the darkest of moments, but now, she was speaking with the kind of wisdom he hadn't expected from her. Maybe it was because she had seen so much of his pain up close. "I know I've been... distant," Jack said, his voice thick. "I don't know how to make up for that. I don't know if I can." Rachel's hand squeezed his shoulder. "You're already doing it, Jack. By facing it. By being real with her. That's all anyone can ask for." He took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. He didn't have to have all the answers. Not yet. Maybe it was enough that he was trying. --- The next day, Jack left the hospital for the first time in weeks. His body still ached from the accident, but the doctors had cleared him for short walks, and the fresh air outside was a welcome change from the sterile confines of his room. Mia was waiting for him at the entrance when he walked out, her expression unreadable. She looked almost like a stranger, yet there was something familiar in the way she held herself-strong, yet fragile in her own way. "Jack," she greeted, her voice soft. "Are you sure you should be up? You look like you're about to pass out." He smiled faintly. "I'm fine. Just... needed a change of scenery." She didn't say anything at first, but when he stepped forward, she fell into step beside him. There was a silence between them, not uncomfortable, but filled with unspoken words. "How are you?" he finally asked, glancing at her. She shrugged, but her eyes flickered toward him. "I'm okay. Just... tired