A Shattered Diamond

Diamond Tiara was mad… Actually, she was beyond mad today. Furious, that was the word she was looking for. The expression was as plain as the nose on her face, as she stared at the clock looming over the halls of the school. Still the question that the next passing student would nervously ask: Why was Diamond Tiara so furious?

Silver Spoon, her best friend in the whole world, who has been by her side since preschool… And she was late! In all the years they’ve known each other, normally Silver Spoon would arrive no latter than one o’clock, right after school let out. She turned back toward the clock and now… It was one-thirty, in the afternoon, and Silver Spoon was still nowhere to be found.

“That’s it!” Diamond Tiara told herself, walking away.

In her fury, Diamond Tiara approached a room occupied by the school newspaper committee. There was one specific person Diamond Tiara was looking for: Featherweight, the school photographer. While ‘technically’ not part of the school newspaper, when they needed someone to obtain the latest scoop on all the school gossip and a kid who’s very handy with a camera, Featherweight was the kid they could rely on. Not the biggest man on the campus, but his skills are noteworthy enough that he became President of the School Photography Club, a club that Silver Spoon was a member of.

Sure enough, Diamond Tiara arrived just as Featherweight had turned in the pictures, supposedly to make the front pages for the upcoming newspaper. Featherweight just turned to leave when an angry Diamond Tiara, standing right in front of him, surprised him so much he almost dropped his camera.

“D-D-D-D-Diamond Tiara!” Featherweight gasped, nervously. “U-U-U-U-H, hi… Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Silver Spoon,” Diamond Tiara said, impatiently. “I know you keep tabs on every student in the photography club. We were supposed to meet after class; do you know where she is?”

“Ooh… Unfortunately, I haven’t the slightest idea. She did tell me she’d arrive later today as she normally would. I don’t know ‘why’ she isn’t here.”

“Urgh… Of course, you don’t know!” Diamond muttered, to herself.

Just as Diamond Tiara expected, as useless in getting answers from as he always is.

“Buuut…” Featherweight added. “I did see Silver Spoon speak to Ms. Cheerilee. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind waiting.”

Not that Diamond Tiara didn’t trust Featherweight – Though frankly, she didn’t – she asked nearly everyone in the group for Silver Spoon’s whereabouts and all of them said the same thing. It wasn’t the fact that what they told her was bugging her, it’s the fact none of them had a ‘clue’ where Silver Spoon was that drove her crazy.

Ever since they were small, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon have been inseparable, she could never remember the day they were apart. Except for that class election during the fourth grade… But she’d rather not get into it. The point is: They were always together, never spending one day or two apart. The last thing Diamond Tiara wanted was for Silver Spoon’s absence to turn into a problem but, sure enough… She was just struggling to keep her composure.

Several minutes have passed since Diamond Tiara asked for Silver Spoon. The tiara-wearing young lady soon found herself pacing at the foot of the library door, muttering to herself (Which was an unfortunate habit she grew with age). This did not go unnoticed by some of the passing students, specifically Featherweight, who couldn’t help but feel bad for the girl.

“Um… Diamond Tiara?” Featherweight asked, feebly.

Diamond Tiara paused mid-step, not exactly turning toward the skinny bucked-tooth boy but she heard him.

“What?!” Diamond said, through her teeth.

“I’m sorry to have to say this, but… You’ve been pacing here since last period. Wouldn’t you rather go into the library and wait for her? Maybe read a book or… Go somewhere else?”

Diamond Tiara slowly turned toward Featherweight, glaring toward his face. Featherweight cringed as it sounded as if her neck was cracking before making the full turn.

“Go… Somewhere… Else?” Diamond asked. “Go somewhere else?!”

“Well, I-I-I-I-I was just saying…” Featherweight stuttered.

“You realize if I do that, Silver Spoon will think it’s okay to show up late that she’ll start making a habit out of it. Well, let me tell you… It’s not. She’s got to come through that door at some point, anytime at all. And when she does… I’m giving her a piece of my mind.”

Luckily for him, Diamond Tiara didn’t have to wait much longer.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

A knock at the door signaled someone was coming. Featherweight was about to open it, when Diamond Tiara held him back with one hand on his shoulder.

“Wait!” Diamond Tiara whispered, harshly.

“What the hay-?!” Featherweight began, only to get a finger to his lips.

“Shh! Shut up and listen! Why don’t we let Ms. Cheerilee open the door? Then see what Silver Spoon says to her.”

“… Do I really want to ask ‘why’ that’s a good idea?” Featherweight whispered, nervously.

“Whatever her reason for being late, she doesn’t want me to know. But she trusts Ms. Cheerilee, so of course she’ll explain herself to her.”

“But… But that’d be eavesdropping, wouldn’t it? I don’t know, Diamond. Why don’t we just as-?”

Featherweight nearly screamed as Diamond Tiara grabbed him and hurled him behind a bookshelf. Diamond Tiara just shushed him, pushing down further while she clutched onto the bannister. This way, she could see into the room without Silver Spoon catching her. Silently, she clears her throat and shouts:

“Ms. Cheerilee! Someone’s at the door!!!”

Diamond Tiara ducks down, as a loud groan was heard from the other side. Coming into view, a middle-aged schoolteacher, that being Ms. Cheerilee, tiredly walked towards the door. The poor woman looks as if she hasn’t had a day to sleep since she started working, but this was what she gets for agreeing to teach students for a living. She opens the door and instantly her sluggish attitude drops when she recognized a rather exhausted student: Silver Spoon.

“Silver Spoon!” Cheerilee spoke, genuinely concerned. “What took you so long? Everything okay?”

“Yes Ms. Cheerilee, I’m all right,” Silver Spoon sighed, adjusting her glasses. “Actually, I was hoping to talk to Diamond Tiara really quick. But I guess she’s not here…”

Silver Spoon took a quick glance around the room, likely expecting Diamond Tiara to pop out of nowhere. Diamond Tiara felt the all-too-familiar tug at her heartstrings. That nerve wrenching instinct to jump out of her hiding sport, run toward Silver Spoon, and give her a huge hug, willing to forgive whatever reason she had of being late.

But she reluctantly choked down her sympathy, preferring to stay in hiding to listen. If there was one thing to note about Diamond Tiara, she could not afford to show weakness in front of anyone. And with Featherweight sitting beside her, if he ever saw her in that rare emotional state, he would not allow her to hear the end of it. From what both could tell as they watched silently, Silver Spoon seemed disappointed when Diamond Tiara didn’t emerge.

“I could call her here, if you wish to speak to her,” Cheerilee offered.

“No, no. It’s fine,” Silver Spoon mumbled, shaking her head. “I was… I just wanted to tell her why I was late. That’s all.”

“Well, if you’re in that big of a rush, I could take the message for you. What is it you wanted to tell her?”

Diamond Tiara growled quietly to herself, turning her back towards the two, crouching lower to the ground.

“Why wouldn’t she want to see me?” Diamond Tiara asked herself. “Why wouldn’t she run out and look for me? Doesn’t she care? Couldn’t she put herself in my shoes?”

“Maybe it’s a personal issue,” Featherweight suggested. “Or maybe she was too nervous to tell you.”

But that may have been the wrong thing to say, as Diamond Tiara whipped around towards Featherweight. The poor boy could only gulp, as she loomed over him and he eyed her nervously.

“Too nervous?” Diamond Tiara asked, with derision. “How could she be too nervous when she’s telling Ms. Cheerilee? A teacher over her best friend!”

“Well… You do come off as rather aggressive.”

“Oh, shut up, Featherweight! I oughtta-!”

“It’s Mother’s Day,” Silver Spoon spoke up.

Diamond Tiara paused in mid-sentence when she heard Silver Spoon speak up. She slowly turned back toward her silvery-haired best friend, as she moved her glasses up to her nose and gave a sigh.

“I wanted to talk to my mom before it gets late,” Silver Spoon spoke up. “If-If you see Diamond Tiara, just… Just tell her I had to see mom. I hope she understands and won’t be mad at me.”

“… Her mom?” Diamond thought, to herself.

So many mixed emotions pierced through her, like a set of kitchen knives stabbing at her heart. There Diamond sat, completely frozen by her own emotions. It’s as if someone pulled out a gun and shot her nerves to the point it left her paralyzed with guilt.

“Oh, that’s certainly no problem!” Ms. Cheerilee smiled. “Say ‘hi’ to your mom for me!”

“Sure… I will,” Silver Spoon replied, curtly. “Bye, Ms. Cheerilee.”

Ms. Cheerilee waved as Silver Spoon proceeds to leave. It was a warm relief for Featherweight, as it turned out it wasn’t as serious as Diamond initially thought, or so he assumed.

“Aww, isn’t that sweet?” Featherweight gushed. “See, Diamond? There’s nothing bad about visiting her mom. She just wanted to pay her a visit, maybe give her a card. Nothing to worry about-!”

“You don’t get it... You wouldn't get it.”

Featherweight stopped when Diamond Tiara spoke, turning to face her. True, her hand was closed in a fist, only it shuddered violently. As a matter of fact, her entire body began to tremble. Her other hand clung tightly to the railing, as if trying to anchor herself before she fell over. Slowly but surely, her other hand dropped numbly to her side. Diamond Tiara felt her insides were tearing apart.

“Mother’s Day,” Diamond thought. “How could I have forgotten?”

Diamond Tiara could feel her head drift towards the floor, her eyes unmoving. This did not go unnoticed as Featherweight turned to her showing great concern.

“Diamond Tiara? Are you okay?”

“Sh… Sh… She…”

For the first time in Diamond Tiara’s life, she couldn’t find the right word to finish her sentence. Her vision began to blur, the tears flowed down her cheeks.

“Hey D.T.? What’s wrong? Are… Are you crying?”

Diamond Tiara didn’t answer, it’s like she didn’t even hear him. Crying in general was a rare experience for the girl. She was always taught crying was a sign of weakness, but in this one moment she could not find the heart to control herself. Her knees went weak with misery, as she slid further down the floor. At that moment, Ms. Cheerilee found the pair hiding behind the bookcase.

“Oh, Diamond Tiara! You just missed your friend. She just said she was going to—”

Ms. Cheerilee babbled on, but to Diamond Tiara it was all just noise that she chose not to hear. Diamond Tiara needed to get away and before anyone could react, she burst out of the room as Cheerilee and Featherweight looked on, the latter turning toward the teacher with a shrug.

Diamond Tiara burst her way through the building, running as if it felt like forever. Eventually, Diamond was outside the building, the doors slamming behind her. Leaning against one of the pillars, Diamond slumped onto the ground, sobbing violently. No longer did she care what was going on around her. It did not matter how Featherweight felt or what Cheerilee would think, suddenly it didn’t matter that Silver Spoon was late. All she could do was think back to that painful memory, many years ago…

<>

Silver Spoon was only six years old the day Diamond Tiara met her. Diamond Tiara, in turn, was only a few months older than her and so it was no longer why Silver Spoon looked up to her as some big sister figure. Diamond remembered Silver Spoon’s parents, the kindest people a child could ever have. Even Silver’s mother considered Diamond another child of hers. Diamond took it as more than just another compliment, as her relationship with her own mother was… Complicated.

In the time spent being around Silver’s family, life was grand and so simple. On this one particular day, it was Mother’s Day, and this year was the most special of them all. Silver’s mom received a huge promotion, complete with an increase in her salary and additional benefits.

It was early in the morning, as this celebration was to only be between Silver Spoon, her mother, and even Diamond Tiara joining along. Silver’s father was on his way to work and the last time he spoke to his wife, was to say goodbye.

“I trust you girls to stay safe while you’re out?” The father asked.

“Don’t you worry dear,” The mother smiled. “We’ll be fine.”

Silver’s mother paused as she turned toward her daughter, ruffling her silvery hair while she giggled.

“Besides, I know someone who can use a day out once in a while. Isn’t that right, dear?”

Silver Spoon laughed while Diamond Tiara smiled at the mother-daughter love they shared. Hence it is why Diamond Tiara loved being with her family more than her own, the atmosphere was so different it felt like a completely alien world. Diamond Tiara remembered the mornings when they made pancakes together, smearing pancake batter on each other’s faces and how they’d laugh so hard. Silver’s mother would never get mad for when they make a mess, she’s just smile, shake her head, and she would jokingly scold:

“Be nice you two.”

Diamond Tiara remembered all the sleepovers she would have with Silver Spoon, when her own parents were away, and she didn’t want to feel alone. Silver’s parents would invite Diamond over to keep Silver company, but the truth is: They knew Diamond Tiara was lonely even around all her servants. Every night, Silver’s mom would tuck them under the sheets, give them a kiss on the forehead, and Diamond Tiara remembered the lullaby Silver’s mother would sing to them:

“If I had words to make a day for you, I’d sing you a morning golden and new. I would make this day last for all time, give you a night deep in moonshine.”

That very day, it was all about the three girls, a mother and two best friends, spending a whole day together… Just for fun. They would go to the bowling alley together, Diamond admitted she wasn’t very good, getting more gutters than pins. But they made a promise not to make it a competition, as no matter how the score was or who ‘won’, they would share a pizza together after a game. So, in a way, they were all winners.

They’d have just enough time to catch the latest feature film at the cinema, one of those run-of-the-mill ‘romantic-comedies’, just so they could nitpick all the clichés and calling the movie as it is… Though all the guests would find it annoying. As it so happened, the cinema was part of the mall they’d go to and while they were there they’d go shopping. Not really to ‘buy’ anything specifically, but they loved window-shopping together so their eyes can see all the beautiful items the mall could offer. Dresses, toys, dolls… Everything the store can offer.

But Diamond Tiara’s favorite part of that day, also the most sad, it’s when the three would go to the downtown park together to watch the sunset together, marking the end of a beautiful day. They were walking toward their favorite spot, when all of a sudden, a stranger appeared out of nowhere. Diamond Tiara never forgot what he looked like: He was ragged man, his clothes were dirty, his eyes were wide, and the sun glinted off the knife’s blade in his hand.

“Give me your money!” The man threatened, holding the knife. “Don’t say a word; just give them to me now!”

Silver Spoon’s mother moved the two girls behind her for their own safety. She did not say a word toward the man, nor did she give in to his demand. She just looked at him, not of hate and not of disappointment, but pity… As if she were sorry for him, seeing how desperate he was, and he was clearly unwell. Diamond remembered that the man did not take kindly to her resistance and before her eyes, he lunged toward the mother and there was this struggle between them.

Then there was a cry and a gasp, Diamond looked and saw the mother clutched the side of her abdomen and the blade crimson red, to her horror the man had stabbed Silver’s mother. Silver Spoon cried out bending beside her as the man just looked on, he didn’t seem the least bit remorseful for what he did, but he looked so scared that he dropped his own knife. Someone must’ve seen it because then he turned as if he heard something, then looked back at the little girls, just looked at them… Then he ran away until they couldn’t see him anymore.

When the girls turned back, the mother had clutched her chest, where the blade cut through skin and tissue, screaming in pain while trying to stop the bleeding. Seeing how helpless the mother was, the blood inside Diamond turned cold. But no matter how hard the mother pressed on the wound, it bled out along the grass, dripping down as if the world was in slow motion. Silver Spoon shrieked and cried for help, while Diamond Tiara asked some nearby people to dial the emergency number, hoping to save Silver’s mother.

The two girls stood around Silver’s mother, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. During which time, the mother’s screams had faded but she was breathing very slow and hoarse. Diamond Tiara never forgot how the mother look, nor did she ever forget when the mother pulled them close to her speaking her last remaining words.

“Silver Spoon, sweetie…” She rasped, “I need you to tell your father how much I love him…”

“Please don’t say that mom,” Silver cried. “The ambulance will be here soon. You’ll get better soon and everything’s going to be all right, you’ll be all right…

“Shh…” The mother cooed, trying to soothe her daughter’s tears. “I love you so much… Both of you. You’re the best girls a mother could hope for… Take care of my daughter… Diamond…”

Before Diamond Tiara’s very eyes, the body of Silver Spoon’s mother shuddered once… Then all was still. She remembered hearing the sirens in the background, Silver Spoon’s painful cries, and the tears running down her own face… She remembered how the mother died right before the paramedics arrived, cause of death… Blood loss…

<>

When Diamond Tiara finally came back to reality, it felt like waking from a horrible nightmare. She stood there, face down, crying hysterically. She was writing weakly on the ground, her voice was hoarse, and her eyes squeezed shut. That memory has haunted Diamond Tiara her entire life, no matter how hard she tried to forget. But no matter how many years have passed, it was all fruitless.

“How could I have forgotten?” Diamond told herself. “Today of all days…”

Diamond Tiara winced in self-loathing, drowning her senses in misery. It only got worse when she finally remembered the last words Silver’s mom spoke before she died, asking her to take care of her daughter. Silver Spoon, her best friend in the whole wide world and she got so mad at her all day… Over being ‘late’.

“How could I have been so insensitive, so cruel?” Diamond Tiara thought. “Why didn’t I put myself in her shoes? She’s my best friend—No, she was a ‘sister’ to me.”

Diamond Tiara loved Silver Spoon more than she’s ever loved anyone in her entire life, in some ways more than her own family. What right did she have to be upset with her own best friend? She remembered Silver Spoon’s words from just a few minutes ago:

“I wanted to talk to my mom before it gets late…”

There was only one place Diamond Tiara knew Silver Spoon would be…

<>

The Cemetery… Diamond Tiara had not been in this dismal place ever since the funeral. Diamond Tiara quietly walked past the rows of tombstones all around her, trying to keep herself from shaking. One quick look to the sky and it was clear with all the dark clouds it was going to rain. Hence why she had grabbed an umbrella from home sometime after school. The cemetery itself wasn’t far to get to, it just brought back so many unwanted memories.

While walking across the cemetery, Diamond Tiara’s eyes soon caught Silver Spoon’s dark grey backpack sitting on the lawn. It wouldn’t be long before she found her friend, sitting before a small tombstone, mumbling to herself.

“Hey mom… I hope you’re proud of me,” Silver said, slowly. “I’ve been making new friends at school, they’re all so nice. I didn’t think there were people like that left in the world, but you were right…”

Diamond Tiara watched silent, spotting the faint smile on her friend’s face.

“I hope you’re not at me for being so weak. Diamond Tiara and I are still close as ever, though she’s still her usual self. But… She’s my best friend; I could never leave her. I couldn’t bear the thought if she were alone, she’s done so much for me… So much. She’s… Like the sister I’ve always wanted.”

Diamond Tiara forced herself not to cry, but this was no easy fear. The drops of rain began to fall from the sky, and she noticed Silver Spoon didn’t bring an umbrella. So, she quietly left her hiding spot and approached her sullen friend. Diamond Tiara paused just behind her, opening her umbrella. Her friend jumped at the sound, her glasses nearly falling off. As she adjusted the glasses, she turns around shocked to see her best friend standing behind her.

“D-Diamond Tiara? What are you doing here?”

Diamond Tiara did not answer, at least not right away. She softly placed a hand over Silver Spoon’s shoulder, feeling the shivering from the cold rainy breeze as she held the umbrella to shield her from the rain with the other hand.

“Ms. Cheerilee told me you were seeing your mom,” Diamond Tiara spoke, softly. “I figured you’d be here.”

“Yeah, I knew you would,” Silver Spoon mumbled, smiling weakly. “So… Here we are. You know, I come here sometimes, before school starts. I’ve… I’ve been speaking to her since the funeral.”

Diamond Tiara nodded slowly, taking a seat beside her friend, and looking at the gravestone of Silver Spoon’s mother.

“I’ve had many regrets in my life,” Diamond Tiara said. “I wish I came to see her more; instead, I’ve been avoiding this place. I just didn’t know what to say… I’m so ashamed.”

“You’re here now, that’s all that matters. Say something to her… Wish her a happy Mother’s Day.”

“Okay…” Diamond sighed. “Here goes nothing…”

Diamond Tiara took a deep breath before she spoke, as Silver Spoon held onto her arm.

“Hello… Mom. I… I hope everything’s going okay… Up in heaven. I hear it’s lovely up there. I hope it’s okay if I call you ‘mom’, you’ve always been more of a parent for me than my own mother… She’s nothing like you. I’m sorry… I’m sorry I never came… To see you. I’d say I’ve been so busy, but… But that’s a lie…”

Diamond Tiara found it difficult to find the right words, she was ready to give up. But then, she felt a hand massage her back and slowly turned to the side. Silver Spoon silently gave her a look, as if encouraging her best friend to go further. Diamond Tiara turns back to the tombstone, takes another deep breath.

“I’ve missed you… So much. I know I promised to never forget, but… Well, technically I ‘didn’t’ forget… It’s just… I didn’t want to accept… You were dead. I tried forcing myself to believe it didn’t happen… I’d tell myself you were out seeing the world or something. I thought by coming here, it meant I’d have to accept you were gone, and I was to blame… I didn’t want to think it, but I believe it… Everyday. As you can tell, forgetting hasn’t been working very well.”

Diamond Tiara’s breathing was funny, she was forcing herself not to cry… Not in front of Silver Spoon.

“So… Anyways, that’s my story…” Diamond continued, grinning. “If you’re really watching us right now, I hope you saw all the crazy stuff we did. I truly think you’d like it. You’re daughter… My best friend… She’s just the best… So great…”

“Wow…” Silver Spoon spoke, smiling. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said about me.”

“Well…” Diamond mused, turning to her. “Everyone has to be a sappy pants once in their life, right?”

Silver Spoon shook her head, almost letting out a laugh. With nothing else to say, Diamond Tiara turned to the engraving along the gravestone.

“Here lies Rose Spoon… Beloved wife to Cloud Spoon, and beloved mother to Silver Spoon,”

For a moment, Diamond Tiara had to squint her eyes. Something about the writing, it just felt… ‘Off’. This did not go unnoticed, as Silver Spoon turned to her friend with such a confused expression.

“What’s the matter?” Silver Spoon asked.

“I don’t think this gravestone is written right,” Diamond answered, shaking her head. “Would it just say, ‘Silver Spoon’ with a period instead of a comma?”

“Hmm…”

Silver Spoon half-heartedly chuckled, leaning forward she points to a particular spot. Diamond Tiara eyes her friend’s finger noticing a small bush in front of the gravestone. After a quick glance around the cemetery, she noticed that each gravestone had at least one bush surrounding it. Diamond curled her hand over the top and pulled it away, revealing another line in the inscription. As soon as she noticed it, her jaw literally dropped…

“Here lies Rose Spoon… Beloved wife to Cloud Spoon, and beloved mother to Silver Spoon,… and Diamond Tiara.”

Diamond Tiara nearly fainted right there and now. Every single emotion in the world was running through her, all at once. She did not know what to think; her mom—Silver Spoon’s mother, she loved Diamond Tiara so much she considered her like a daughter. And there it was: Diamond Tiara’s name on her gravestone. Several minutes of stunned silence suffocated the air around them, until Diamond Tiara heard a familiar tune:

“If I had words to make a day for you…”

Diamond Tiara turned around seeing it was Silver Spoon, singing that same song Rose used to sing to them before tucking them in during their sleepovers. And Silver Spoon knew the song, word for word.

“I’d sing you a morning golden and new…” Silver whispered.

The tears flowed down Diamond Tiara’s face; no longer could she hold them back. It was the most beautiful melody she ever heard and yet it didn’t make her sad… It made her happy.

“I would make this day last for all time…” Diamond joined in.

“Give you a night deep in moon… Shine…”

The two girls finished the song in unison, not quite the perfect pitch because it was an emotional moment, but they still performed the song so beautifully together. Finally, Diamond Tiara planted her tear-covered face onto Silver’s shoulder bawling her eyes out. And all Silver Spoon did was hug her best friend, as her own tears streamed from her eyes. Crying only because the most important person in their life was gone… And they were still on Earth, together.

“Hey… I’ve had enough being here,” Silver Spoon said, helping her friend up. “Can we go somewhere else?”

“Sure, we can go anywhere you’d like,” Diamond said. “Let’s make this your day. Where would you want to go?

Silver Spoon thought about it and looked up towards the sky. The rain had eventually stopped, and the clouds were beginning to disperse from the sky. She could just see the faint rays of the sun still hanging over the sky.

“There is one thing I want…” Silver spoke, finally. “I want us to go back to the park… So, we can watch the sunset together… Like when we were kids.”

When Silver Spoon made that request, a hint of uncertainty was shown on Diamond’s face. Much like the cemetery, it had been a long time since the two had even been to that park. Not since that tragic day. Not like they would expect that same man when they get there, he was incarcerated for first degree murder, locked away with a lengthy life sentence. But still, to even consider being there, after all those years… It was kind of scary.

“Are you sure?” Diamond Tiara asked.

“… Mom always told me I can never move forward in life if I don’t face what scares me and conquer my fears,” Silver Spoon explained. “Mom’s been gone for years, and I’ve been so scared to go back to that park after so long. I’ve had some bad memories of that place… But I also had ‘great’ memories too. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset, when it was with me, and her… And you. Mom would want me to focus on making good memories and not avoiding my problems forever. It’s just… I’m just not ready to go there by myself.”

“I see…” Diamond nodded, with a somber smile. “Well… If that means so much to you, we can go watch the sunset together.”

“Thank you. Then maybe, afterwards, we can make a run to the nearest bakery and pick up some cookies? I haven’t eaten in hours.”

“Funny… I was about to say the same thing.”

The two girls helped each other up, as Diamond Tiara closed the umbrella. They each pat a hand over the mother’s grave, smiling before her after honoring the memory of the most wonderful woman in their lives.

“Thank you for being the sister I’ve always wanted, Diamond Tiara,” Silver Spoon smiled.

“Thank you for being mine,” Diamond Tiara smiled.

Together, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked hand-in-hand towards town. Two best friends working steadily to move forward after all the heartbreak they’ve had to endure and finding the closure they both needed in more ways. Yet somehow, even though things did not go as planned, the two girls felt closer than ever… And it was all thanks to her…