Chapter 16
1170 Words
Like every other Friday, the cultural team had its weekly meeting. With the school carnival approaching fast, they decided to extend their stay for a few extra hours.
Everyone was jotting down ideas, determined to make the fest a success. The money collected from the carnival would be added to the school fund, making it even more important.
Two hours had already passed.
“Guys, I think we should take a break and eat something,” Maddy suggested. “We’ve been working for two hours straight.”
“Well, for the first time in the history of this universe, you said something sensible,” Evy smirked.
“Whatever,” Maddy snapped.
Before she could retaliate, Maddy walked out to get food for everyone.
Strange.
She had actually gone to fetch food. But none of them cared. Maddy’s presence was irritating enough as it was.
After half an hour, she graced them with her presence with the delicious smell of food. Everyone sat down on the floor and began eating waffles and pancakes.
“I never thought you’d crave this kind of food,” Carson commented. “Don’t you think it’ll make you fat?”
“Well, once in a blue moon is fine,” Maddy replied casually. “I’ll burn the calories when I get home. This food is worth it.”
Something about her tone made Evy uneasy. Still, she continued eating until Hailey suddenly started coughing beside her. Within seconds, Hailey collapsed onto the floor.
“s**t! What happened, Hails?” Evy shouted, turning toward her.
Owen, Carson, Kayla, and Eddy rushed to her side.
“She’s having trouble breathing,” Owen said urgently. “We need to take her to the hospital.”
He tried rubbing Hailey’s palms and even performed CPR, but it wasn’t helping. Without wasting another second, Owen lifted Hailey into his arms and rushed toward the car.
No later than five minutes, they reached the hospital. Hailey was taken in immediately, and her parents were called. They arrived shortly after.
A few minutes later, the doctor came out to update them.
“Don’t worry,” he assured them. “She’s stable now. We administered epinephrine. She had a severe allergic reaction to berries.”
“She ate waffles,” Kayla said. “Maybe the syrup had berries in it.”
“That b***h,” Eddy growled under his breath.
Evy instantly grabbed his wrist, stopping him. They could deal with Maddy later.
After some time, they were allowed to see Hailey. She lay peacefully on the bed.
“You scared the hell out of us,” Owen said softly, holding her hand.
“So much so that he had to kiss you to help you breathe,” Carson teased.
Both Owen and Hailey blushed.
“It’s called CPR,” Owen mumbled.
“You feeling okay?” Eddy asked gently.
“Yeah… much better,” Hailey replied with a soft smile. “Don’t worry, Eddy.”
Before he could say anything more, Maddy walked into the room.
“What are you doing here?” Evy snapped. “Didn’t you get enough satisfaction from pulling this stunt?”
“Look, I’m sorry,” Maddy muttered. “I didn’t know Hailey was allergic to blueberries. I wouldn’t have done it if I knew.”
“Bullshit, Maddy,” Eddy said coldly. “You can lie to everyone else, but not me. I know you did this on purpose. You didn’t intend this for Hailey. You intended it for Evelyn.”
The room fell silent.
“I—” Maddy started, but he cut her off.
“Cat got your tongue?” he glared.
“Yes,” Maddy snapped. “It was meant for Evy. I thought she was allergic, not Hailey. God knows how the food got switched.”
“That’s a new low—even for you,” Carson said firmly. “How could you stoop so low just to hurt someone?”
“Well, you can’t blame me,” Maddy shot back. “Evy was finally out of this school, and then she came back after a year, all dolled up with a new attitude.”
“That doesn’t give you the right to kill someone!” Owen yelled. “Hailey could’ve died because of your stupidity.”
“Get out of here, Maddy,” Eddy said firmly. “Before I do something I regret.”
She left, and the room went silent again.
“And you chose her over us,” Evy finally said, her voice cutting through the quiet. “You betrayed us for this kind of person. Good going, Edward.”
No one spoke.
“Guys,” Hailey said softly, trying to ease the tension, “I’m really fine. You should all go home and rest.”
“She’s right,” Owen added gently, trying to break the discomfort between Evy and Eddy.
“I will stay,” Evy and Eddy said at the same time.
“No one is staying here except for me,” Owen said.
“No,” Hailey said firmly. “Whatever happened, we’ll deal with it later. Thank you for being here, but please go home.”
Carson and Kayla nodded and left.
“Eddy, please,” Hailey said quietly.
He sighed and eventually left.
After that, Hailey convinced Evy to go home too. She knew her friend was exhausted.
Owen, however, refused to leave.
“Thanks, Owen,” Hailey said softly.
“Shut up,” he replied lightly. “Eddy or Carson would’ve done the same.”
“Still…”
After a moment, Owen asked, “Are you still angry with Eddy?”
“Not angry,” Hailey said honestly. “Just disappointed. And tired. I can see that he’s trying, and I’m glad he was there today. But it’ll take time.”
“So he’s one step closer to getting you back,” Owen said, more a statement than a question.
“Yeah,” she nodded. “Not just me, even Evy. I can see her walls cracking. It’s hard to accept that Eddy’s changing… but she’ll come around.”
“You should rest,” Owen said, kissing her forehead.
“You’re not going home, are you?” she asked.
“Nope,” he smiled.
Evy was shocked to learn the truth but also relieved. This time, Eddy had stood up for them.
She was exhausted. Mentally. Emotionally.
She decided she would stop being so hard on him. Maybe she couldn’t rebuild what they once had, but she could at least be civil. Amiable.
Eddy, on the other hand, was furious.
If Evy hadn’t grabbed his hand earlier, he might’ve done something unforgivable. When he and Maddy had been together, he had mentioned that his best friend was allergic to blueberries. He just hadn’t specified which of his best friends.
Now, after everything, disappointment crushed him.
Just when he thought he had taken one step forward, he had taken two steps back.
Karma really does have its own way of getting back at people.
- Writer
