*DURRELL*
The text came in at nine in the morning.
'He's awake. Vitals stable. Will be discharged within a week.'
I sent my reply before I even set the phone down.
'Doctors say he'll be discharged in a week as long as his stats keep improving.'
Her reply came fast. 'Thank you.'
'Anytime.'
I set the phone down and leaned back in my chair.
I had been up since five in the morning and couldn't sleep. I kept replaying the way Ariana had looked at the ice rink two days ago. She was shattered. Not just sad, but broken in a way that made me want to find everyone who had ever ignored her and make them answer for it.
I had seen her cry before. Once, during senior year, in that same spot at the rink. I had climbed the bleachers and sat three rows below her.
"You good, Chase?"
She flinched.
