I left the hair salon feeling happier then ive felt in days. I finally fixed my hair and although it was much shorter then it used to be, it suited me well. Some highlights and wavy curls that ended just above my chest, and voilà. It was something small, but boy did it boost my confidence back up a little.

Walking into school, the confidence was soon replaced with anxiety. Everyone stared at the burns you could see on my neck, my stump, and whenever someone talked to me, I could see them shifting uncomfortably due to my blind eye.

Sitting in my office, I worked on the minor bugs in the cybernetics the boys built for me. Maybe things will finally begin to become normal again after this. Sure, i'll have to continue to rub ointment on the burns, which ill no doubtfully have forever... No, there really isn't a bright side is there. I slammed my head against my desk with a groan. I really am doomed forever, aren't I?

"Working hard, or hardly working?" Tadashi asked, walking inside like he owned the place. I let out a displeased groan as a response. Noticing the cybernetics on the table next to me, he continued, "I'm going to take that as a maybe." I snorted, moving my head to the side to look up at Tadashi as he placed a hand on my shoulder. I sit up and look at Tadashi, who quickly noticed how bummed I was. "What's up?"

"I'm trying to get some perspective..." I began, already getting emotional. "I'm really trying, but..." I trail off, wiping at the first tear to fall from my eye.

"But?" Tadashi gently urges me on, knowing I never really let my emotions show since the hospital. I never really talked about it to anyone, did I?

I push back the sleeve of my shirt to look at the stump on my shoulder, then I move my hand to the burns on my neck. "I don't understand." I continue, bursting into tears as I look up at Tadashi once more. "I keep trying, and trying, but I see nothing- no hope. There's no hope for me, is there?" I sob, wiping at my tears as I speak. I've cried in front of Tadashi before- we're best friends. Through break ups, loss of loved ones, anything, he's been there for me and I for them. But never have I felt more vulnerable in front of him.

Bending over to meet my level and pulling the chair closer, Tadashi speaks, "I didn't give up on Hiro and im not giving up on you." He begins, refusing to break eye contact as I stare at him in shock, the sobs quieting into sniffles. "I don't know why bad things happen to us, I don't. But I believe that something good is going to come out of this. I have to." I nodded my head slowly, taking that for an answer before he quickly pulled me out of the chair and into a hug, rubbing my back comfortingly.

Tadashi refused to let go until I was done crying.

My first shift back at the Lucky Cat Café could have gone better.

The store hasn't even opened yet and ive already managed to fail. Sweeping the floors with one hand wasn't too hard, but sweeping it into the dust pan proved impossible. Eventually, Aunt Cass rushed over and did it for me after noticing my struggle. When I took the chairs off the table, I managed to hit myself in the face several times. When the work day finally started, I ended up manning the cashier for most of the day. I couldn't hold more then one plate, so bringing food to customers proved rather difficult.

Even though he wasn't working today, Tadashi came down to keep me company most of the day, even though I knew he was just worried for me and wanted to see how I was doing after my meltdown the other day.

When the work day was finally over, I retreated upstairs with a heavy sigh. "I'm crashing here tonight, too tired." I spoke, eyes closed as I rubbed the back of my neck, making my way towards Tadashi's bed to crash. I wasn't really expecting to bump into a inflatable marshmallow. "Baymax? What is he doing here?" I ask, looking to Hiro.

"Baymax, I am satisfied with my-" Before Hiro could finish the sentence, Baymax cut him off.

"On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?" Baymax asked as pictures to help decide appeared on his chest.

My eyes widened, becoming increasingly nervous speaking about 'healthcare.' "Zero?" I decided, although it sounded more like a question.

"I will scan you for injuries." Baymax spoke, matter of fact. Hiro didn't even have time to finish saying 'that isn't necessary.' "Scan complete. You sustain multiple injuries. You seem to be missing your left arm and eye and have second degree burns here, here, and here." Baymax explained everything like it was new to me, pointing to the diagram he now had on his chest. "With treatment, you should expect the burns to heal in-" Baymax paused and held up a finger as he seemed to be calculating. "2-3 weeks."

I stared up at Baymax, dumbfounded as Tadashi made his way to the top of the stairs. "Baymax? What's going on?" Tadashi asked before his eyes fell to the diagram on his chest. "I am satisfied with my care." He spoke, setting a tray full of dinner down as he did.

I watched Baymax deflate back into his container before I spoke, cutting Tadashi off from his pointless apologies. "He's amazing. He's going to do great things for the world." I complimented, my eyes soon going to Tadashi. My words sounded empty, emotionless.

Hiro and Tadashi seemed surprised at this reaction, like I should have been bothered by the reminder of what has happened to me. My body itself reminds me of the night, I don't think ill ever not think about it. "O-Oh. Thanks." Tadashi's worried expression soon turned to a relieved smile as he sorted himself out.

The three of us stand around each other awkwardly before I break the silence, saying, "Well, are we just going to stand here or can we eat?" The pair watched me grab myself some food before they joined me. "So, I'm getting the bandages removed tomorrow." I bring up, changing the topic. Hiro and Tadashi paused their eating. "They say it's not going to be pretty... There's still burns all around the stump, although its healed quite a lot." I continue, biting my tongue afterwards.

"I could come," Tadashi offers, placing his bowl down. "y'know, moral support."

I nod, slightly, considering it. "I don't know. Might be better to just do it alone." I decide, shrugging awkwardly as I continue to eat.

"Well, let me know if you change your mind."

"Wow. That healed nicely." The doctor admits, throwing the used gauze into the garbage. "You can take a look as I go get some ointment you'll need."

I took a large breath of air as I glanced at my dad before walking in front of the mirror. The end of my arm was covered in mostly healed second degree burns. Another couple weeks and it will be nothing but a scarred stump. However, the evidence of third degree burns was left over by the waxy and white skin around the end of the stump. My fingers hovered over the stitches.

"You shouldn't touch it." My dad warned, coming to stand next to me in the mirror. "It needs to heal."

I snorted, looking at him in the mirror then back to the stump. "It needs to grow back. Why isn't that possible, that would be amazing." I joke, making my dad shake his head at me.

"Just sit down. The doctor will be back soon."

I lay curled in bed, my back facing the steps downstairs from my loft. It's been a week since ive been in contact with anyone who wasn't my dad or my dog. After the doctors appointment, I felt a lot more useless then before.

A plate of untouched food sat next to my bed along with my phone with several unread messages. Trying was too hard. I didn't want to wake up. I was having a much better time asleep. It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you're so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare.

Giving in felt better.

I glanced at my phone for the first time after hearing it buzz, and saw Tadashi's face on the screen. I ignored the call, not having the energy to reach over and pick up the phone even if I wanted to. I clenched my eyes shut and rolled into a tight ball, hugging my pillow after hearing the familiar voice downstairs. I kept my eyes shut, even when I heard him walk up the stairs to the loft, to my room.

"How you feeling?" Tadashi asked, coming over to squat by my bed next to me. I closed my eyes tighter after feeling his hand on my forehead. "Your dad told me about this 'cold.'"

I furrowed my eyebrows, finally opening my eyes to look up at him. "Why do you say it like that?" I ask, sniffing slightly in a attempt to prove myself.

Tadashi rolled his eyes, looking back to mine as he spoke. "Because im your best friend, I know you." Tadashi hummed as he brushed some greasy strands of hair away from my face. "Can I see your arm?" Tadashi asked after looking at my messy room.

I clenched the blanket around my body much tighter. "No." I answered simply, running my fingers over it from under the blanket. I knew he was going to see it eventually, but the longer I can keep that from happening, the better. "It's disgusting." I admit, finally breaking eye contact with him.

Tadashi sighed heavily, knowing he wasn't going to get much more out of me. "Will you at least come to Fred's birthday party?" Tadashi asked with a hopeful tone. "We're throwing him a surprise party at the café."

I sighed heavily, knowing I couldn't miss his party. What kind of a friend would I be if I didn't show up? "Just let me shower first." I agree, reluctantly. I sit up and wipe the sleep from my eye. Tadashi gave a little cheer of excitement, a large smile growing on his face. I rolled my eye, despite the small smile growing on my face. He almost made it worth it.

After entering the bathroom, I turned on the shower and began to undress. Looking in the mirror, I examined my burns. It's been a couple weeks now, and they were looking much better, although it wasn't a great improvement. The blistered, burnt skin, was now sort of matching my skin tone. It was clear I would have the scars of these burns forever, but I guess that's better then the alternative.

I exited the bathroom wrapped in a robe, shocked to see Tadashi sitting on my bed, waiting for me. It seemed like he busied himself with tidying up a bit. Not even a little phased by my attire, Tadashi turned around to let me change. I rolled my eyes before picking out an outfit, making sure to find something that had long enough sleeves to block my scarred stump. "Ready." I announced, looking at myself in the mirror.

Tadashi came up to me to give me a quick hug from behind and a kiss on the cheek in a friendly manner, causing me to blush. "There's the beautiful Abby we all know and love." He boasted, leading me outside and to his moped.

How can you do stuff like that and not expect me to fall head over heels?

We made it to the café much quicker than usual, and the welcome I got from everyone made me feel much better then I expected. I was quick to brush everyone away, assuring them that I was okay. Today was about Fred, not about me. Eventually, Tadashi rushed everyone to quite down and hide after receiving a text from Fred saying he was almost there.

The jingle of the door echoed through the dark café, Fred's shadow soon entering the room. "Hello?" He called through the house, closing the door behind him. A few beats of silence and then the lights flickered on, signalling everyone to jump up and yell surprise. "Dude, this is awesome!" Fred gushed, giving everyone quick hugs and thank you's.

Being the last to greet him, I held open an arm with a wide smile. "Happy Birthday, Fred!" I cheer, earning a tight hug from him. The group of friends awed as they crowded around us.

"Thank you for coming back to us. We missed you." Fred whispered into my ear before pulling away. I gave Fred a thankful smile before he was whisked away by everyone. Before I could see much else, I was dragged into the kitchen to help Aunt Cass with the cake.

"What a good idea to pick the one armed chick for help." I crudely joke, earning a small slap on the wrist and a hush from Aunt Cass. I laugh loudly, picking up some plates and forks after helping her with the candles. "I'll go get everyone ready."

I walked out of the kitchen as two gentlemen entered the café. They were cops. "Sorry guys, we're closed." Tadashi apologized as we walked up to them, hoping this was just a coincidence. The music was shut off and everyone's attention quickly landed on the two men.

"We're looking for Abigail Miki." The shorter, chubbier one speaks, clearly not in the mood for any bullshit. His taller friend scanned the room as he spoke, his eyes finally nodding at me. I watched Tadashi turn around, his eyes landing on me with a confused expression. "Miss, may we speak in private?"

I nod, slowly, my face probably resembling a ghost right now. I gingerly follow the pair outside, glancing behind me to look at my friends before closing the door. Everyone looked worried. "Did I do something wrong?" I ask, nearly shaking with how nervous I was. It had to be about the fire, this isn't just some coincidence.

The two cops looked at each other, like they were debating which person was best to speak. Eventually, the taller one did.

"We have evidence to believe the fire wasn't an accident."

"I don't want to answer any more questions." I tell the cops, knowing my rights. After a quick and short goodbye, I walked back into the café where everyone seemed to be waiting for me.

I could understand why the cops had questioned me, as I am the only viable witness. The fact that they treated me like a suspect burned a foul taste in my mouth. I paused as I looked at everyone's worried expressions before I assured them I was okay, the party eventually continuing. I slipped away from the party as soon as I could, heading outside for some fresh air. I leaned against the wall of the bakery in the ally, taking a few shaky breaths to calm my nerves.

My head shot towards the back door, hearing it be pushed open, loudly. "T-Tadashi?" I question, looking as he stops to stare at me with comforting eyes. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you go back inside and enjoy the party?" I ask, beginning to tear up.

Wordlessly, Tadashi pulled me into a hug. I gave him a squeeze, a little way of saying thank you. He could read me like a open book, couldn't he? He always knew when everything was beginning to be too much, has always been here to catch me as I fall the last couple weeks. I was so grateful to have Tadashi in my life, even if we were just friends. Best friends.

Although it hurt, I was satisfied with holding that title.