[and Emerald was okay with it, too. she smiled and found it pretty easy to hold back tears this time, even though she noticed that Neo had a couple in her eyes. maybe it was because she still wasn't finished? but. she was already feeling a lot better about everything than she had when she started.]

I know you're patient. I just don't want you to have to wait this long to hear from me again if I have all these things weighing on me. I'm sorry that you weren't the one I came to first for everything that's happening. I just... I don't think I know what it's like to be this close to someone who actually listens to me. Who actually cares about what's wrong with me and wants to do something to help me.

[she exhaled.] It means a lot to me and I don't want to let it go to waste. And you know it does stupid things to my heart when I get to hear your voice.