Adam and Dawn rushed into the hospital hallway, panic written all over their faces after receiving the call that Ava had been rushed in. They looked around helplessly, searching for a doctor. Minutes felt like hours before one finally walked out. They hurried toward him at once, hearts racing.
"Ava… my wife," Adam said breathlessly. "She was rushed in here. She was involved in an accident. Is she okay?"
The doctor paused. "I'll be right back, give me a moment," he said, walking away.
Adam stood there frozen, scared and worried all at once. Dawn tried to calm him down, but nothing seemed to work.
"It's going to be alright," she said softly. "Ava is strong. She survived a tumor, she'll survive this too."
"This is all my fault," Adam said, holding his head. "I should have stopped her."
"It's not your fault, Adam. You couldn't have known," Dawn said, pulling him into a hug.
They sat down together and waited, holding onto hope while fear slowly crept in.
* * * * * *
Leslie and Gwen were talking as they walked toward the boys' dorm. Leslie needed help from Jason, and Gwen followed along.
"What was she even looking for after taking your note?" Gwen asked, surprised.
"I don't know," Leslie shrugged. "Maybe she thought the notes weren't enough. But you got me, right? I can borrow yours."
"I told you to stay out of trouble and stay away from Tracy, but you didn't listen," Gwen said.
"I'll listen now," Leslie replied quickly. "I've learnt my lesson."
"I know you're lying," Gwen said, shaking her head, "but fine, you can borrow my notes."
They stopped in front of Jason's door and heard someone talking inside.
"I'm trying my best, dad. What do you want me to do, cheat?" the voice said.
"I hear you, dad. You always threaten to cut me off," he continued, frustrated. "I know I'm trying, I just suck at statistics."
Leslie knocked, interrupting the call. The door opened and the guy ended the call quickly.
"Well if it isn't beauty and—" he paused, pointing at Gwen. "What's your name again?"
"Hi, I'm Gwen," Gwen said with a small wave.
"Well, I'm handsome," he said with a smirk. "Nice to meet you, Gwen."
"Where's my brother, jerk?" Leslie asked, rolling her eyes.
"He's not here. Why are you looking for him?" Ethan asked.
"That's none of your business. Focus on your statistics," she teased.
"Now you sound just like my dad," he said, smiling.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way," Leslie said.
"You don't need to apologise. I'm kinda used to talks like that," he replied.
"I can help you," Leslie offered.
"How? We're not even in the same class," he chuckled.
I can put you through when you aren't busy, I can still help," she said, smiling before walking away with Gwen.
* * * * * *
Adam and Dawn returned home later that night. Adam's face was dull, empty, like something inside him had shut down. Dawn looked drained from crying. Daphne saw them and rushed over.
"What's going on? Why do you both look like this?" she asked, worried.
"Ava is in the hospital," Dawn said quietly.
"What? What happened?" Daphne asked in shock.
"She… she was involved in an accident," Dawn replied.
"Oh my God," Daphne whispered. "Is she okay?"
"We don't know," Dawn said. "The doctor said her condition is severe."
Daphne gasped and broke into tears.
"No, don't cry, mom," Dawn said, hugging her. "She's going to be alright."
Even as she said it, she wasn't sure herself.
Adam said nothing. He simply walked upstairs to his room. Dawn and Daphne watched him go, their hearts heavy.
"He's going to be okay," Dawn whispered, more like a prayer than a fact.
* * * * * *
At the school cafeteria, students sat around eating and talking. Leslie and Gwen were seated together.
"So how do you plan to help Ethan?" Gwen asked.
"I'm good at calculations, that's why," Leslie replied.
"What about Jason?" Gwen asked.
"He's bad at it," Leslie said thoughtfully. "But I never helped him with homework. Now I'm wondering if he even does it."
As they talked, a tall handsome guy walked in, holding Tracy's hand. Leslie froze.
"Whoa," she laughed. "Is that Tracy's boyfriend?"
"I mean, who would date someone so devilish and spoilt," Leslie added, but Gwen didn't respond.
She turned and noticed Gwen staring at the guy.
"Wait… don't tell me you like Tracy's boyfriend," Leslie said.
No reply.
"Gwen. Gwen!" she called.
"Huh? What?" Gwen asked, snapping out of it.
"Are you drooling over him?" Leslie teased.
"Who? No, of course not," Gwen said quickly, looking down.
"What's his name?" Leslie pressed.
"He's Ethan's cousin," Gwen admitted. "His name is Eric."
"You definitely like him," Leslie teased again.
"I don't—" Gwen started, but stopped when Tracy walked over.
"Well, how are you doing, new girl?" Tracy asked with a smirk.
"I'm not new girl. I have a name, it's Leslie," she replied.
"And what do we have here? Four eyes," Tracy said, turning to Gwen.
"She has a name too. It's Gwen," Leslie snapped.
"I wasn't talking to you," Tracy waved her off.
"Gwen, let's go," Leslie said calmly. "I don't want to hurt anyone."
As they stood up, Tracy stretched her leg and blocked the way. Gwen tripped and fell. Laughter filled the cafeteria.
Leslie helped Gwen up, walked her back to their table, grabbed their food and poured it all over Tracy's clothes.
The cafeteria went silent, then burst into laughter.
"Don't ever mess with my friend," Leslie said before walking out with Gwen.
Back in their room, Gwen started crying.
"You shouldn't have done that. She'll come after you because of me."
"Don't worry," Leslie said. "She knows what she's capable of. She doesn't know what I'm capable of."
Gwen hugged her tightly. "Thank you for standing up for me."
"I got you," Leslie said, joking just enough to make Gwen smile.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Adam rushed out without touching his breakfast. Dawn and Daphne followed him to the hospital, hoping for good news.
They met the doctor.
"How's Ava? How's my wife?" Adam asked, his voice shaking.
The doctor hesitated. "I'm… I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Adam asked, already afraid.
"We couldn't save her."
Adam froze. Dawn collapsed to the floor, crying uncontrollably. Daphne held her, tears streaming down her own face.
Adam ran into Ava's room. She was covered with a white cloth. He pulled it back, begging her to wake up, calling her name over and over.
She didn't move.
That was when it hit him.
Ava was gone.
He sat there beside her body, crying like he never had before. He had just lost someone he loved deeply, and nothing would ever be the same again.