The hospital room was quiet except for the soft beep of the monitors and Nilla's shallow breaths. Eleven sat beside her, holding her hand tightly, while their mom fussed over the small cuts and bruises on her arms and legs. Nilla's anger at Will, mixed with the terror of the accident, churned inside her like a storm.
Minutes stretched, each one feeling like an eternity. Then the door opened slowly, and Will stepped in, his face pale and guilt-ridden. He froze for a moment, taking in the sight of Nilla sitting upright in her hospital bed, bruised but stable.
"Nilla… I… I came as soon as I heard," he said, his voice trembling.
Her eyes snapped to his, blazing with fury. "Came as soon as you heard?!" she shouted, voice echoing through the room. "You think showing up now makes anything okay?! Do you have any idea what I went through?!"
Will took a hesitant step forward. "I—Nilla, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen—"
"Didn't mean for any of this to happen?!" Nilla cut him off, her hands trembling. "You said those things about me today! You called me 'too much' like I'm a problem you have to deal with! And now you expect me to just… smile because you're here?!"
Eleven squeezed her hand, whispering urgently, "Nilla… calm down… just let him explain—"
"I don't want to hear it!" Nilla shouted, jumping slightly on the bed. "I could have died today! A car could have killed me! And all I can think about is how you treated me today! Do you understand?!"
Will's face crumpled with guilt. "Nilla… I—"
"No!" she yelled, shaking her head. "I'm done with excuses! You don't get to just stroll in here and fix everything with some half-hearted apology! Do you hear me?! I'm done, Will!"
Her mom stepped closer, trying to calm her, but Nilla waved her off, breathing hard. Eleven stayed by her side, her hand firm around Nilla's.
"I loved you," Will said, voice breaking. "I still do. I just… I was scared, I didn't know how to handle things—"
Nilla laughed bitterly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You were scared?! You think that gives you the right to hurt me? To make me feel like I'm a burden?!"
Will opened his mouth again, but Nilla was relentless. "No! I can't do this anymore! I need space. I need time. I… I can't be with someone who makes me feel like this, not after today!"
Her mom wrapped an arm around her, holding her tight, while Eleven whispered, "You're safe, Nilla… you're okay."
Will's shoulders slumped, his guilt heavier than he had ever felt. "I… I just wanted to protect you… I didn't realize—"
"Protect me?!" Nilla screamed, her voice echoing off the hospital walls. "You think protecting me is saying I'm 'too much'? Protecting me is making sure I don't end up in an accident because I'm terrified and angry! Do you even get that?!"
Will could only shake his head, unable to form words, as Nilla finally took a deep, shaky breath. She leaned back against the bed, exhausted from the torrent of emotions she had unleashed.
"I… I need space," she said quietly, almost to herself. "I need time away from you, Will. Just… go."
Will nodded, his eyes full of regret, and quietly stepped toward the door. He glanced back once, his heart breaking at the sight of her, but he said nothing. Nilla's mom and Eleven exchanged worried looks as the door closed behind him.
Nilla sank into the pillows, her body trembling, tears falling freely. The storm of anger, fear, and hurt had finally come out, leaving her exhausted but a little lighter. Eleven brushed a strand of hair from her face. "It's over… for now. You're safe."
Nilla nodded weakly, letting herself finally breathe, though the tension between her and Will lingered like a shadow.