Everyone left soon after. Dr Kennedy and Jane left so they could start the preparations for Kana's surgery, Misa went home soon after so she could squeeze in time so she could squeeze in some extra study time.
John however, stayed a little bit longer than the rest and since he couldn't go back home because it was already late, Dr Kennedy gave him the keys to his house so he could stay for the night and dry up his wet clothes and Kana decided that she was going to escort him to the hospital entrance as he was about to leave.
John looked up at the evening sky which was covered in gray clouds but at least it was better than the heavy rain that had fallen earlier.
Kana: It still looks like it's going to rain again.
John: Yeah… but I'll make sure to get to Dr Kennedy's house before it starts again.
Kana: (looks up) You know, it's crazy how everything's happening all at once.
John: (glances at her) Yeah… You mean the surgery?
Kana: (nods slowly) Mhm. The evaluations start right when your finals begin, don't they?
John: (sighs) June 1st through the 12th… and your surgery's the 15th.
Kana: (softly) Right after my birthday…
John: (chuckles) It's like life didn't even check our schedules. Oh… that reminds me, what do you want for your birthday?
Kana looked at John in surprise and didn't realize when she started blushing as her mind began to race on things she wanted but alas, nothing came to her mind.
Kana: I… I don't know. I'm not really used to getting anything.
John: (tilts his head) Come on, there's gotta be something. Even something small.
Kana: (blushes slightly) Well… if it's from you, I think even something small would feel big to me.
John: (smiles) Alright then. I'll make sure it's special, even if it's small.
Kana: (softly) Just… don't spend too much, okay?
John: (grins) Too late. I already spent time caring about you.
Kana: (laughs) You're Cheesy.
John: But you love it.
Kana blushed which made John smile seeing that things were officially back to normal. He then took her hand and when Kana looked at his arm, she saw that John was still wearing the bracelet she had given last December and it made her smile all the more.
John: So… I guess I better get going then… Don't wanna be here when the rain starts again.
But then Kana held his hand a bit firmer than it was a few seconds ago and this of course caught his attention.
John: What's wrong?
Kana's smile that was on her face previously was now replaced with a concerned and worried expression.
Kana: John…?
John: What is it?
Kana: I didn't want to say this in front of everyone else but… I'm scared.
There was a bit of silence which Kana took to compose herself before she continued.
Kana: I know Dr. Kennedy made it sound hopeful. And I want to believe him. But the more I think about it... the more real it gets. The idea of surgery, my chest being opened, waiting for a heart that might not even come in time…
She looks down at her feet, her hands holding John's hands even tighter now.
Kana: I read something online… about what happens after we die. This person described it like… floating in a warm blue sea. You don't see anything else, you just feel peace. Like all the pain and fear fades…
John: Stop. Don't talk like that.
Kana looks up, startled.
John: You're not going to die. Not when you've got all of us here me, Jane, Misa, Dr. Kennedy Liam and Rose… We're not giving up. So you don't get to either.
He brushed some of her hair from her face.
John: You're scared. That's okay. But don't go imagining floating in some blue sea. Imagine waking up with a new heart, going to the beach in winter again, hanging with everyone and me. Just keep thinking happy thoughts, okay?
Kana then gave a weak smile.
Kana: You're right...
And then, heir eyes met, holding each other in a quiet, fragile moment until Kana leaned in, heart pounding, and pressed her lips gently against his ensuring that it lasted as long as they wanted it to.
After a while, Kana pulled back slowly, her face still close to his, her eyes searching his for something; maybe reassurance, maybe just the courage to keep hoping. John didn't say anything right away. He just smiled, brushing his thumb lightly across her cheek.
John: You're an amazing kisser, you know that right?
Kana's eyes widened, and her cheeks turned bright red.
Kana: J-John!
He chuckled, taking a few steps back, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.
John: I'm just saying… I wasn't ready for that level of talent.
She swatted the air in embarrassment, but couldn't help laughing. Her laughter chased after him as he turned to walk toward the hospital gates.
John: I'll call you tomorrow, okay?
Kana: (nods) Okay.
*******
It was already a few minutes past 9 PM and John's mother sat on the couch and looked at the clock in her living room and the door leading out of their apartment.
Mrs Wellman: I guess he's not coming home? But where could he have gone? It's a school night…
She sighed and then reached for the pack of cigarettes on the glass table in front of her and then lit it up. John wasn't at home and it meant that she was allowed to smoke without him judging her.
Come to think of it, she couldn't remember the moment John began to treat her that way. Like she was a burden to his life. But what could she do? It's not like she had any other options left.
Ms Wellman: If only he knew I did all this for his sake…
Suddenly her phone rang and cut through her thoughts and she instantly went for it thinking it would be John or another customer calling but she met an unknown number on her screen.
Out of curiosity, she answered the call.
Ms. Wellman: (presses phone to ear) Hello?
Voice on the Line (measured, professional): Good evening. Is this Laura Wellman?
Ms. Wellman: Yes? Who's this?
Voice: This is Mr. Everworth. I'm a teacher at Crescent High your son John's school.
Her eyes narrowed as she slowly sat up straighter.
Ms. Wellman: …Is something wrong?
Mr. Everworth: I'm calling about an incident that took place yesterday. There was a fight involving John on school grounds. Several students recorded the altercation and posted it online.
Ms. Wellman: (tense) A fight?
Mr. Everworth: Yes. He wasn't the one who started it, but he didn't exactly walk away either. That's not all. We've reviewed the footage, and during the altercation, John said some things… about you.
There was a long pause. The cigarette burned idly between her fingers, the ash lengthening.
Ms. Wellman: (quietly) What kind of things?
Mr. Everworth: I'd rather not repeat his words over the phone, but… they were personal. Deeply personal. We're not trying to make judgments, but it raised some concerns among the staff about John's emotional wellbeing, and his home situation.
Ms. Wellman: (tightly) You think I'm the reason he got in a fight?
Mr. Everworth: I'm not making accusations, Ms. Wellman. I just thought it was important you were aware of it. Especially since John didn't show up for class today. We've been trying to reach him, but—
Ms. Wellman: (interrupting, exasperated) He's fine. He's at a friend's place. Stayed the night because of the storm.
Mr. Everworth: I see. That's good to hear. Still, if you have time, I'd suggest coming in sometime this week. Maybe we can talk with the guidance counselor together. John's a bright kid, but something's clearly weighing on him.
Ms. Wellman: …Yeah. I'll think about it.
Mr. Everworth: Thank you. Have a good night, Ms. Wellman.
The call ended, and the silence returned just as heavily as before. She placed the phone on the table, her hand trembling slightly now. For a moment, she didn't move.
Then she whispered to herself:
Ms. Wellman: (bitterly) So… he told people?
******
The days that followed moved in quiet determination. Though none of them said it aloud, a shared sense of urgency lingered in the air like time was folding in on itself and June was fast approaching.
Kana lay in her hospital bed as the nurses gently prepared her for the days ahead. Wires and machines hummed softly around her, charting every breath and heartbeat. Dr. Kennedy stood nearby, flipping through her latest scans, eyes narrowed with quiet focus. Jane scribbled notes on her clipboard, occasionally offering Kana a warm glance.
Kana's fingers absentmindedly traced the seams of her blanket, her mind drifting. Then her phone buzzed and when she picked it up, she was greeted with messages from John, Rose, Misa, and Liam lighting up the screen. She smiled, just faintly, and placed the phone on her lap. Even from a distance, they were with her.
At school, John sat hunched over a test paper, pencil tapping lightly against his desk. His eyes scanned each question with care, jaw tense in concentration. The room was quiet except for the occasional shuffle of papers and scribbling of answers.
Later that evening, he returned home and lock himself in his room, where his books and notes had practically taken over the table. Dressed in an old hoodie, John studied late into the night, pausing only to glance at his phone for motivational purposes. The corners of his mouth twitched into a small smile before he dove back into his notes.
In her room, Misa flipped through flashcards with quick, practiced motions. Her desk was covered in highlighters, sticky notes, and diagrams. She paused briefly to adjust her reading glasses, and then glanced at her phone lock screen which was a picture she and Kana had taken when they went to the amusement park at the beginning of Spring break.
She closed her eyes and let the memories wash over her before shaking herself out of it. She flipped open her book again and immediately went back to reading.
Misa: Focus, just a little longer.
Liam's room was a mess of open textbooks and energy drink cans. He sat with his laptop on his lap, eyes flicking between the blinking cursor and the pages of notes beside him. On his wall, a calendar hung with June 12th circled in bold red ink "Last Exam."
He leaned back, running a hand through his white hair. Then, with a breath, he returned to his essay, fingers flying across the keys, determination burning behind tired eyes.
And somewhere in her room, Rose sat cross-legged at her desk, her floor littered with balled-up drafts. The soft glow of her computer screen lit her face as she scrolled through an old shirt story she'd written. Her eyes danced across the text "The Hollow House" each word a reminder of why she started writing in the first place.
Then she opened a new document. Her fingers hovered over the keys for just a moment before they began to move, steady and strong.
In their separate corners of the world, they worked. They fought.
Each of them carrying hope in different forms. Each of them refusing to let go.
And just like that, the days blurred into each other, full of exams, quiet prayers, and whispered goodbyes to normalcy, until June 12th finally arrived, carrying with it the weight of everything they had been trying to hold together.