Episode 5
748 Words
Sofia's POV
The hospital room was too quiet.
The steady beeping of the monitor was the only sound filling the space, and every time it echoed, my chest tightened. I sat beside Jessie, her eyes swollen and red from crying. She hadn’t said much since we arrived—just stared straight ahead like she was afraid to blink.
Julian lay on the bed, asleep. A white bandage was wrapped around her forehead, standing out sharply against her skin.
I swallowed hard.
I still couldn’t believe this was real.
William did this.
“I hate him,” I whispered, my voice shaking.
Jessie sniffed beside me but didn’t look away from Julian.
“This is all my fault,” I finally said, the words burning my throat.
Jessie turned sharply toward me. “What?”
“All of this,” I said, my hands trembling in my lap. “Julian is hurt because of me. If I hadn’t come to this school… if I hadn’t”
“No.” Jessie grabbed my hand firmly. “Don’t do that.”
I looked at her.
“Don’t you dare blame yourself,” she said, her voice low but serious. “None of this is your fault. William chose to act the way he did. That’s on him.”
I nodded, but the guilt didn’t leave.
“I just can’t believe he’s that heartless,” Jessie said bitterly. “He could’ve killed her, Sofia. He’s a monster.”
Her words echoed in my head.
Flashback
“William is a very dangerous guy.”
“He doesn’t care if you’re a girl or not.”
“He hurts whoever he wants.”
End of flashback.
My chest tightened.
Is he really that heartless?
Was everything he did—everything he said to me—fake?
Why did that even matter?
Do u like him?
No. Absolutely not.
I hate him.
“Sofie?”
I blinked. “Yeah?”
Jessie hesitated before speaking. “Can you be honest with me?”
My heart skipped. “About what?”
“Is there something you’re not telling us about William?”
My mouth went dry.
“No,” I said quickly. “Nothing.”
She studied my face. “You sure?”
“I—” I hesitated. “Yeah.”
She sighed softly. “You know you don’t have to hide anything from us, right?”
I nodded, guilt twisting inside me.
I opened my mouth to speak—
—and suddenly Julian coughed.
My heart jumped.
“Oh my God,” Jessie gasped. “Julian?”
Julian slowly opened her eyes, blinking as if the light hurt.
“Hey,” Jessie said gently, standing up. “Are you okay? Does your head hurt?”
“I’m fine, J,” Julian said weakly.
Relief crashed over me so fast my eyes burned with tears.
“Sofia,” Julian called softly.
I stepped closer, unable to stop the tears from spilling. “I’m so sorry,” I said, my voice breaking.
She frowned slightly. “Why are you apologizing?”
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here,” I said. “This is my fault.”
Julian shook her head slowly. “No. I got hurt because I opened my mouth and exposed his secret—after you warned me not to. This is on me.”
I shook my head, but she squeezed my hand.
“Promise me something,” she said. “Stop blaming yourself.”
I nodded.
Then she smiled weakly.
“Besides… you should’ve seen his face when I said it.”
Jessie and I burst out laughing before we could stop ourselves.
“You’re crazy,” Jessie said. “A total badass.”
“I know,” Julian whispered, grinning.
I smiled through my tears. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Me too,” she said softly.
Jessie crossed her arms. “And don’t ever try something like that again.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Julian replied, raising her hands.
“You could’ve been killed,” Jessie said sharply.
“I won’t do it again,” Julian promised.
We stayed with her until the sky outside the window turned dark. When visiting hours ended, I stood up slowly, taking one last look at Julian.
As we walked out of the hospital, one thought refused to leave my mind.
William Jamesmith hurt my best friend.
And no matter how confusing it was....
I would never forget that.
- Writer
