"Did you hear?" Ezra's voice was low, hesitant.
I looked up from the bench outside school, jaw clenched. "What now?"
He swallowed. "Ava fainted right after you… after what happened."
My heart stopped.
"What?"
"She collapsed. Rylan took her to the hospital."
I didn't respond. I couldn't. My mind went blank except for one image—Ava's face as I told her she was just like the others.
No. No, no, no.
I stood up so fast my sketchbook dropped to the floor, pages fluttering open to the half-finished drawing of her.
Ezra picked it up. "Damien—"
"Where is she?" My voice cracked.
"St. Mary's General."
I didn't wait.
I ran.
---
(Ava's POV)
The lights above me were soft and blurry when I opened my eyes.
My head ached.
"Rylan?" My voice was barely a whisper.
He was sitting by the edge of the bed, his hoodie wrinkled, hair messed up like he hadn't slept. When he heard me, his eyes softened with relief.
"You're awake."
I blinked slowly, trying to remember. The hallway. The words. Damien's voice. The heat behind my eyes.
Then nothing.
"What… happened?"
"You fainted," he said gently. "Your body couldn't take the stress."
My throat tightened. "Damien…"
He paused, the calm in his eyes flickering.
"The doctor said you need to be careful," he murmured. "One more emotional blow like that… and you might not just faint. You could actually get sick."
I looked away.
Everything hurt.
My chest. My head. My heart.
Before I could respond, there was a knock at the door.
Rylan turned.
And then I heard the last voice I ever expected to hear that soon.
"Ava…"
Damien.