Similarly, there are no shoes for her on the shoe rack, so she leaves quickly without making any noise.
The cold winter sun shines wavering light onto the world around her. The white layer of clouds in the sky does not make the sunlight any dimmer than usual, but for some reason there's a certain darkness to the world, almost like a filter over Willow's eyes. Minuscule snowflakes float in every direction, disturbed by a light breeze. The air was not yet cold enough for a full snow shower, but Willow feels that it will be when the sun goes down. There is already a bit of fog obscuring the distant cliffs.
After leaving her attic, she decided the next place she should go is to Lily's apartment. Whether to see if her friend would notice her, or to prove to herself that Lily was happier without her, Willow doesn't know. Both, she supposes. She'll have to run if she wants to make it there before the snow starts to hit.
She begins her sprint through the chilly air but stops when she notices a large willow tree next to her home. It looks so natural she almost didn't notice its presence. Its bare drooping branches sway in the wind. It must be the tree that inspired Mom's painting, but this one is dead as all deciduous trees are in winter. Feeling like the metaphors were getting a bit heavy-handed, she continues walking past it at a hurried pace. She wishes she could use her mobile phone to call Lily, but it was charging next to her bed last night. Her original bed in her original room.
She dashes on the cold concrete down the street. She takes a left turn here and a right turn there, a path she has taken frequently. The cooling air stings her eyes, but the tears forming there aren't from just that. Finally, she reaches her friend's apartment building. This would normally heavily exhaust her, possibly be outside her capabilities entirely, but Willow hadn't even broken a sweat. It still took a solid half hour and the sky was growing darker and colder. Why does the sun set so early in winter? Willow runs up the concrete steps to Lily's third floor door and knocks.
"Lily? Lily, please let me in... Lily!!!" Willow cries out to her friend, banging on the door.
She can't hear you.
Willow sniffles and turns around, facing the ghostly eyes. Her shadow stood leaning against the wall opposite of Lily's apartment. Wallow's darkness is clearer than the muted darkness of the rest of the world.
"Shut up, you!" Willow shouts. She turns around to bang on the door, ready to force it open if she has to, when it opens before her. Willow's best friend steps out into the outdoor hallway, dressed in merely a light jacket despite the approaching cold.
"Lily! You came, I-" but Willow's words freeze in the air. Lily walks straight past her, and another girl follows behind. Both completely ignoring her. The second person looks familiar, a paper-white girl with raven-black hair. Willow has seen her around, at school and at Lily's 18th birthday party, but she's never spoken directly to her. It's a shame, since Willow thinks she looks quite pretty. The pretty girl looks over her shoulder, seemingly looking directly at Willow. She then glances to the side, and Willow realizes she's looking at where Wallow should be. Willow follows her gaze, but the glowing eyes have faded for now. When she looks back, the girl and Lily have already started down the stairs.
"Wait, Lily!" she calls out, running after her and putting her hand on Lily's shoulder. Putting her hand through Lily's shoulder. It feels like she stuck her hand in ice water. Willow steps back, dismayed, eventually bumping into the wall and sitting down next to Lily's front door. Even Lily, the girl who always noticed Willow, who always knew when she was feeling down, who always looked out for her, has left her to be forgotten. She stays there for who knows how long 24 minutes, though I'm sure it feels much longer hugging her knees and sobbing. Finally, she wipes her eyes and looks up.
Are you ready to decide now?
She looks at the apparition with disdain, saying nothing.
Don't you see? Get it through your head, dear. I've only granted your wish. If there's anyone to blame for this, it's yourself.
Without answering, Willow stands up. The fog has gotten stronger, the sky darker. The light snow from an hour ago has become a flurry. The chill threatens to freeze the tear streaks to her cheeks. She grabs hold of Lily's door and opens it, entering with her shadow close behind.