Beauty sat on the edge of her bed, her phone trembling in her hands. Jessie sat beside her, watching her friend.

"I don't think he would want to hear my voice, Jessie. Maybe I'll do it later."

"When it's too late?" Jessie asked gently. "You have to tell him, Beauty. You can't just cry. At least try. If he ignores you, then... you know you tried, at least."

Beauty took a deep breath, her chest tight with a mix of fear and anxiety.

"Just take a deep breath, in and out. ...