The stars were out, and she was thankful that she was alive to see them, for the first time in a very long time. It had been two weeks since she had told her mother the truth, and was taken into the hospital for observation and treatment. At long last, she had finally been diagnosed with depression, and was finally getting the medication she needed to feel better. She was still upset at times, over her father, and often cried over it, but after counseling, and speaking up for the first time, she had learned not to blame herself anymore. That it wasn't her fault and that she needed to forgive herself.
She still faced pain, but was able to handle it like a normal person would, instead of being dragged down by it. Even though the medication's full effect wasn't supposed to show until eight weeks, she was improving gradually, and was able to handle the loss of her dad, and help her mother support the family. There was only one last thing she had to do, and she was staring at it.
It was almost nine at night, and she was standing in the park near her house, staring at the barely illuminated silhouette of Willy Wonka. He was wearing his funnly top hat, and was leaning on his cane, admiring the stars. She had seen him through her window as he had walked by, and stepped up a little closer, so she was standing behind him, but about two yards away.
"I'm getting help," she said softly. There was a pause, but she knew he had heard her. "I finally told my mom and I'm seeing a counselor." He didn't turn and look at her, nor did he answer. He just stood there. "I haven't cut in almost a week," she said softly, in a sad tone, knowing he didn't care. "I'm trying to get better." He still didn't answer, and she looked down, glad that he had at least heard her. That's all she had come here for. "Alright then," she said softly. "Bye." She turned to leave, but felt a hand grab her by the arm and stop her. She stood still, and watched as he stepped in front of her. How had he gotten there so fast? "I'm so sorry," she said softly, a tear falling down her face. "I'm sorry I yelled at you and told you to go"
She was cut off, because he had leaned in and kissed her cheek gently. Not in a romantic way, but more as a friend, forgiving a friend. The kiss was quick and he looked at her, placing two curled fingers under her chin and tilting her head upwards so she was looking at him.
"I'm proud of you, Reya," he said softly. "Don't ever think otherwise." She started crying and he gave her a warm bear hug, smiling inwardly, and she managed to laugh a little.
"Thanks," she said softly. He stepped back and tipped his hat to her.
"Hope to see you soon, my fair lady," he said, giving her a quirky grin, and then strolled off, swinging his cane in front of him.
-
(4 months later...)

Reya felt a rush of stage fright, and she wasn't even on stage yet. She was waiting behind the curtain, fidgeting and unable to stand in place. Behind her, a hand clapped down on her shoulder, and her drama coach gaver her a smile. "You ready?" she asked. Reya nodded, a little too fast. "You'll be fine," she said softly. They were silent, and Reya saw the lights dim. "That's your cue! Go on! Good luck!" Reya forced a smile and stepped onto the stage, getting into her position, and watched as the lights went up.
The play went on, and she did what she was supposed to, trying to stay in character and not panic. The play was 'Oliver!' and she was Nancy, the girlfriend of the nasty character, Bill Sykes. When her lines came, she forgot about the people watching her, and played her character, yelling when she needed to, pretending to cry when she had to, and trying not to go over dramatic. She forgot her lines twice, but there was always someone nearby to whisper the first two words or so.
She wasn't truly nervous until her solo came up. Everyone else had cleared off the stage, and she sat alone, at a table in the fake bar, and listened as the music started, waiting for her cue. When it came, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and began.
"As long as 'e needs me, Oh yes, 'e does need me, In spite of what you see, 'e always will need me..." Once she had gotten that first part out, the rest came easy, and there was applause when she was done. She didn't have time to see who was in the audience, but knew her mother and sister were watching, and somewhere out there, somewhere, Willy Wonka was too.
When the play was finally over, and they all bowed, there was loud applause, cheering, and smiles on everyone's faces. Reya went backstage with a smile, and was greeted with a surprise birthday cake in the choir room that someone had bought for her during intermission. She got to cut and serve it, and laughed, talked, and had a great time with the rest of the drama club. After a while, she headed into the parking lot with the group to go to Denny's which was the tradition. After opening night they would all go to Denny's to celebrate. Reya was walked with three girls, talking with them, and stopped after a minute, catching a glimpse of someone standing by one of the light poles.
"Can you wait a few minutes for me? I have to go talk to someone real quick." They nodded and walked off, and she ran up to Willy, giving him a hug. He picked her up and spun her around.
"You were magnificent!" he exclaimed, laughing. She laughed as he set her down. "I knew you'd do well"
"Thanks," she said, laughing. "I was wondering where you were"
"Oh!" he said, reaching into his pocket. "Before I forget, Happy Birthday!" He pulled out a box, wrapped in a purple shiny wrapping paper, and she tore it open eagerly, and opened the box. Inside was a gold necklace with the two theatre masks hanging from it. She smiled and held it up.
"Wow," she gasped. "It's so pretty"
"Here, allow me," he said softly, and she handed him the necklace, and turned, pulling her hair out of the way so he could clip it on her. She turned again with a smile.
"Thanks a lot," she said, giving him a hug. "We're all going to Denny's to celebrate opening night. Wanna come"
"I'd love to, my dear, but unfortunetly I have so much time and so little to do! Wait! Strike that. Reverse it. There"
"Oh," she said softly, a little disappointed. "Sorry to hear that. I'll see you some other time then"
"I can almost guarantee it," he said smiling.
"Great. Well, I gotta go too, so see ya then"
"Farewell," he said softly, and she waved over her shoulder, and running over to her friends. Willy Wonka smiled in the dim light and nodded to himself. Sometimes what glitters is gold. He tipped his hat and walked off, down the sidewalk and into the night.

Come to me now/ And lay your hands over me/ Even if it's a lie/ Say it will be alright/ And I shall believe./ Broken in two/ And I know you're onto me/ That I only come home/ When I'm so all alone/ And I shall believe/ That not everything is gonna be the way/ you think it ought to be/ Seems like everytime I try to get it right/ It all comes down on me/ Please say honestly/ You won't give up on me/ and I shall believe.
-"I Shall Believe," Sheryl Crow -
(A/N: There is a sequel in progress to this, but for now, this is the END! This is the end, my only friend, the end... yup. R&R!)