Title: NewNotes: Written for femslash100100(zeroes table, prompt 053 "New"). See the full table here. Also available on AO3

When Kelly missed ballet class for the first time since nearly dying, Faran was concerned. When she missed it for the third time in a row, Faran was downright alarmed. Had Kelly’s mother gone off the deep end again? Or worse, had Kelly hurt herself?

After everything, Faran felt she owed it to Kelly to check up on the blonde. Knocking on the front door of the Beasley house, she was relieved when Kelly opened the door. “Faran?” she said, obviously surprised. “What are you doing here?” She gestured for the brunette to come inside, leading her up to her bedroom so they could talk in private.

“I was worried about you. You haven’t been to ballet class.”

Kelly didn’t look Faran in the eye when she spoke again. “What’s the point?”

Faran said “What do you mean? You’re too good a dancer just to give up.”

Finally Kelly looked up from where she’d been studying her shoes. “I don’t feel like I should be enjoying myself. Not after everything I put you and your friends through.”

Faran’s expression softened. She said “You need to stop punishing yourself.” She knew Kelly had a history of self-harm and worried this would push her over the edge. “I mean, you almost died. I think that’s punishment enough.” Closing the distance between them, she reached out to push a strand of hair out of Kelly’s face. “How about we consider this a new beginning?”

Kelly gave a small smile, and Faran felt hopeful.