(First part: https://yodayo.com/posts/7f12c814-b602-4c88-9865-c8c720c8ec41))

...The silence stretched on endlessly. The fire crackled softly, an owl hooted somewhere in the trees, and neither girl said a word. Eventually, Iris couldn’t stand it anymore. She shot to her feet.

“I need a smoke. Be right back.”

She didn’t wait for a reaction. Grabbing her lighter, she headed a good ten meters away from the campsite. When she was sure Chelsea hadn’t followed, Iris slumped against a tree and slipped into the routine she wished she could quit.

Such a simple, three-step act of self-destruction: take out a cigarette, light it, and take a drag. So easy to start, so hard to stop.

“Why didn’t she say anything…?” her thoughts raced. “She heard me. No way she didn’t. She would’ve asked. So that was a no? But Chelsea isn’t a shy one, she never hesitates to shut people down. Did she stay quiet so she wouldn’t hurt me? Well, she fucked up then. It hurts even more.”

Iris dragged on the cigarette again and again, eyes straining at the shadows as if they might give her an answer.

"Maybe she’s straight? No way. She listens to Girl in Red. Then what the hell…?"

Back at the fire, not long after Iris left, Chelsea leaned against a tree of her own and tilted her head toward the sky full of stars.

“I’m sorry, Iris… I just can’t. Even if I want to.” Her voice barely carried past her lips. Chelsea drew her knees close, hugging them tightly.

"Mom would never let this happen. And... how am I supposed to love someone when I can’t even love myself?”