Nicholas's P.O.V

I met my sister's worried gaze before jogging past her into the hallway. My heart hammered in my chest out of fear. It felt so familiar. This feeling. It is so similar to the way I felt that day. The day I found Zoey in that alley.

The day I thought I had lost my only family left. The day I almost lost hope on seeing the tubes and wires connected to my sister's body. I saw the doctor that attended to Alex, coming out of a room. I walked up to him in fast strides.

"Doctor" I called, attracting his attention. He turned his gaze to me, adjusting the circle glasses perched on his nose. I glanced at the name tag on his lab coat. Max. "How is she?" I asked, my eyes searching his face.

"You're family?" He asked and I saw him dart his gaze behind me, making me look back.

"We are" Zoey answered, panting slightly. Eli stood behind her, arms folded across his chest and Eddy is standing beside her.

"Alright. Let's go to my office" he nodded, turning around. I saw Zoey glance at Eddy in worry and he smiled at her in return.

I sighed before following the doctor. We entered his office which is quite spacious. He walked to his table and sat behind it, on a black leather chair. We entered after him. Zoey and Eli sat down on the chairs opposite him while Eddy and I stood behind them.

The doctor, Max, leaned forward on his chair and placed his hands in the table. "If I may ask, how are you all related to her?" He asked.

I licked my lips, getting impatient. "We're her friends" Eddy said and Max nodded.

"Does she have a family? Like her parents or a sister?" He asked again and I ran my hands through my hair. Just tell us what happened to her!

"Yes. A mother" Zoey answered. I let out a frustrated breath, quietly.

"Where is she?" He asked and I slammed my hand on his desk, startling everyone.

"Is Alex okay?" I asked. Max adjusted his glasses again.

"It will be better if you calm down sir. The kind of information I'm about to disclose can only be told to those she is comfortable with. It is personal" he explained, giving me a pointed look.

I shut my eyes and brought out my phone, I typed in Susan's name and her number popped up in my phone. "I'll call her mom" I muttered before, leaving his office and standing outside, by the door.

I clicked on the number and it ringed a few times before she picked up. "Hello?" She said.

"Hi, Susan. It's Nick." I said, biting my lower lip.

"Oh. How are you dear? Is everything okay?" She asked. I heard some shuffling from the background and I concluded that she was still shopping.

"Not really. Alex is in the hospital and the doctor wants to see you" I said, shifting from one feet to the other.

"Alex is in the hospital? Why? What happened? Is she okay?" She rushed over the phone and I sighed.

"I think it's better if you're here. I'll text you the address" I said and I heard loud shuffling.

"Okay! Hurry up!" She said and hung up. I typed the address and sent it to her. She replied immediately with a thumbs up.

I shoved my phone is my back pocket and went back into the doctor's office. He looked up to meet my gaze as I stepped in. "She's on her way" I said and he nodded.

Eli's head in his palm as he rested his elbow on his knees for support, his legs wide apart. He looks like he's asleep. Eddy is standing behind the chair my sister is sitting on and her right hand fingers are laced with his over her shoulder. I raised an eyebrow at the action before walking towards them.

"Ed?" I called, raising an eyebrow. He jolted and released my sister's hand. She also turned to look at me, wide eyed.

"Oh, Nick. It's not what you think" Zoey rushed, her face starting to turn pink. She gulped and blinked faster than normal. And she's not meeting my gaze. She is hiding something from me.

I looked at her. "What did you think I was thinking? Is there something I should know?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

"N-no. Well, yes. But not really" she stammered and I diverted my gaze to Eddy. I saw his Adam apple move up and down in his throat.

"Ed? What's going on?" I asked and Eddy silently said something to himself which I couldn't catch. He took a deep breath and met my gaze. "Well?" I questioned.

"Zoey and I are together" He said, his gaze locked on mine. What?! No way!!
I laughed lightly, thinking it was a joke.

"What do you mean? Is this a joke or something?" I said, with an half smile. The unwavering expression on both their faces made my smile drop slowly.

"No, it's not. We are together" Zoey said, still not meeting my gaze. I let out an humorless chuckle, fighting the urge to land a punch on Eddy's face.

"For how long?" I asked, slowly inhaling and exhaling. Don't punch him.

They glanced at each other and Eddy gulped. "For a while now" he answered.

I shut my eyes, taking calm breaths then opened them again. "So you are just telling me this now?" I asked, in a deep intimidating manner.

"W-we were going to tell you. We just didn't know how you'd take it." Zoey said. I scoffed. Then looked at Eddy.

"You" I growled quietly, not wanting to capture the attention of the doctor by the corner of the office. I glared at Eddy and he slowly stepped back.

"Listen man, I like her okay? I won't hurt her. I promise." he rushed out. I walked towards him slowly in a predating manner.

"You never take things serious, Eddy. Not since I've known you. How do I trust that you'll take my sister serious? You can't be with her. I won't allow it" I said. Eddy stopped backing away from me.

"No. You can hit me if you want to. Break my jaw. My nose. Do whatever you want. But I won't leave her." He said and I scoffed in amusement. Zoey ran in front of me, spreading her arms out horizontally.

"What's your problem Nick?! I like him and he likes me so why can't I be with him?! I'm old enough to make my own decisions. I don't need you to make them for me!" She yelled at me and I deflated.

"I'm just trying to protect you" I said back and her eyes started to pool with tears.

"Don't protect me. Just support me. I just need you to support my decisions. Give him a chance, please" she said, her voice shaky.

I sighed as glanced at Eddy. He was already looking at me. I gave a slight nod. "Okay. But if he messes up, I'm killing him. I mean it" I said, keeping my gaze on Eddy.

Eddy cracked a small smile and Zoey grinned at me. "I hope you don't mean that. But thanks. You should trust me, you know. We're best friends" he smirked.

I rolled my eyes, smiling a little. "I'm still questioning my choice of friends. And I trust you but not with my sister because you're like me" I said, giving him a pointed look. He chuckled and was about to talk but was cut off my some noise outside.

We heard a yell, making everyone turn towards the door, including Eli. He has been quiet probably out of guilt of what he had done.

Susan, Alex's mom rushed into the office with wide eyes. "Where's my daughter? Where is Alex?" She asked, her eyes darting to the doctor in the room.

He stood up and extended his arm in a handshake "I'm doctor Max. Are you Miss Alexandrea's mother?" He asked.

"Yes, I am. I'm Susan. Is she okay?" She asked, her eyebrows knitted in worry.

"Would you excuse us please?" The doctor asked politely, eyes flickering between Eli, Eddy, Zoey and I. I nodded and started heading out of the room, giving Susan an assuring glance. The others followed and we walked to the waiting room, then sat there.

I forked my hands through my hair for the third time. Zoey placed her head on Eddy's leg, glancing at me cautiously. I pretended like I didn't see them and darted my eyes at Eli. "Hey man, are you okay?" I asked.

He sighed and nodded. "Yeah. I just don't know how to face her if she wakes up" he said, letting out a breath. I frowned.

"When" I muttered. Eli looked at me, eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"Huh?" He questioned. I looked at him, meeting his gaze.

"When she wakes up. Don't say 'if'." I corrected and Eli darted his eyes to the ground.

"Oh. Okay" he said. "I just realized how stupid I was, picking a fight with you because of her" he added. I cracked a small smile.

"It was stupid" I agreed. We both laughed as he slightly punched my arm. "When she wakes up, you can both be together again. I won't bother you" I said, wearing a forced smile.

"Nick. I trust you." Eli said, locking his gaze on mine. I smiled at him, appreciatively. He glanced behind me. "I guess you've found out about Eddy and Zo" he smirked.

I sneered. "How come everyone knew and I didn't?" I said and Eli laughed.

"Because Eddy didn't want you to bite his head off" Eli said and I shrugged.

"I can still do that. But if he makes Zo happy then...maybe I'll let them be" I said and Eli smiled at me.

"You almost sounded sensible. Almost" he smirked and I slapped his arm.

"Shut up" I muttered, smiling. I sighed, drumming my fingers on my thighs.

I saw Susan heading towards the waiting room. I sprung up and jogged towards her immediately. "She is alright" she smiled but I could tell she was faking it. I let out a breath of relief.

"What's wrong?" I asked her and she shook her head.

"I'm okay" she said. "Take care of her, I'll be right back" she said before, walking past me. I walked to the room, I saw Max come out from earlier. Room 4A.

I raised my hand, and lightly knocked on the door. There was no response so I opened it slightly.

She is laid on the bed in an hospital gown, half of her body covered with a blanket. Her eyes are closed and both of her arms are by her sides, on the blanket, pining it down. I quietly closed the door and walked towards her. There a small band aid on her forehead and a small tube tube at the back of her hand. The tube is connected to a bag which is hung on a pole beside her bed.

Her hair is messily around her shoulders and her eyebrows are knitted together making me frown. She started to whimper and her eyelashes fluttered. I noticed beads of sweat on her forehead as I placed my palm on it to feel her temperature. She trembled lightly as I did that. What's wrong with her?

"Please...no, please.." she sobbed in her sleep, letting out ragged breaths. I took her hand in mine and shook her lightly to wake her up. she having a nightmare.

"Hey, it's not real. It's okay" I whispered, trying to calm her down. I ran my thumb along her wrist, soothingly.

The crease on her forehead increased and her twitched in mine. "No!"She jolted awake, springing up to a sitting position. The tears in her wide eyes dropping on her cheeks as she looks around frantically. Her gaze met mine before she pulled me into a hug, squishing her face on my chest and startling me. It felt...nice.

"Shh.. don't panic, love. You're safe now." I said, rubbing her back awkwardly. She pulled away from the hug slowly, her gaze casted to the ground. She sat up and leaned against the wall, her eyes scanning the place. "Are you okay?" I asked.

She sniffed, wiping her face with the sleeve of her hospital gown. Some parts of her messy hair, stuck to her forehead as she nodded. "I'm fine"she answered in a croaky voice.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked and she removed her hand from my hold.

"No" she snuffled. "I'm fine" she answered, placing her hands on her lap.

"Okay...should I make you a cup of tea or you want to go back to sleep?" I asked. She looked at me, amusement evident in her eyes.

"I don't want to go back to sleep..." She said, looking away. I shoved my hands in my pocket.

"That's fine. How are you feeling?" I asked. She was about to answer when I saw her attention diverted to something behind me. I looked back and saw Zoey by the door with a smirk.

"Hello brother" she drawled, her eyes twinkling mischievously. I rolled my eyes at her.

"Where are the others?" I asked her and she pointed to the door just when Eddy and Eli entered.

"Baby, are you okay? How do you feel?" Zoey asked, rushing over to Alex's side and touching her face. She sat beside her.

"I'm better. What happened?" She asked, looking at everyone.

"Nick called us and told us that you fainted" Zoey answered, guiltily. "I'm sorry, we haven't been speaking lately" she added.

"Oh. It's fine"she said with a small sad smile. Her eyes landed on someone in the room.

"Hey Alex" Eddy greeted with a wave. Alex smiled at him.

"Hey. How are you?" She questioned and watched as Eddy pouted. I rolled my eyes with a.small smile at Ed's reaction.

"I'm supposed to ask you that." He answered and Alex let out a small laugh.

"It's okay" she chortled. Eddy cracked a smile and nudged Eli.

"Um..hey" he said, awkwardly shifting from one feet to the other. She slowly smiled at him, making me avert my gaze. I suddenly felt uncomfortable.

I walked towards the door and left the room. Standing outside her room, I exhaled slowly. I removed my hands from my pocket and stared at the one I was holding hers with. I shook my head and dug them back in my pockets, leaning against the wall. Jeez, what's wrong with me?

I licked my dry lips and sighed. She was smiling at everyone in the room like nothing happened and it makes me angry. Ugh! Why was her smile extra cute when she looked at Eli? I thought. Because he's her boyfriend and she likes him, not you dumbo!, My conscience answered for me. I rolled my eyes at myself.

I checked my pockets for cigarettes then paused. She doesn't like it when I smoke, I reminded myself and stopped. I walked to the waiting room and sat there alone. I couldn't get the image of her whimpering out of my head. I just wish she would tell me what her nightmare was about. I would do anything to stop those tears and never see those fear strike gaze again.

Alexandrea's P.O.V

When I woke up, I had no idea where I was but I guessed it was the hospital judging from my environment. And believe me, the last person I thought I would see was Nick beside me, holding my hand. It was actually comforting that I didn't think before hugging him after that horrible nightmare.

"Um...hey" Eli greeted, looking awkward. I recalled our last meeting and smiled at him. As I opened my mouth to respond, Nick going out of the room grabbed my attention. I watched as he left and closed the door. What's up with him?

I diverted my gaze back to Eli. "Hey" I answered. "Is he okay?" I asked, referring to Nick.

"Yeah. Well, do you feel better?" He said and I nodded. Zoey stood up beside me and pecked my forehead.

"Take care and rest properly." She said and I smiled at her. Eddy nodded at me with a smirk before holding Zoey's hand.

"Let's give them some privacy" Eddy said and Zoey rolled her eyes.

"You didn't have to say it out loud. Why else did you think I stood up?" She said, giving him a pointed look. Eddy chuckled.

"Oh" he said and Zoey huffed. They both left the room and I giggled at how cute they are. I wonder if Nick knows.

"I'm sorry for what happened earlier" Eli apologized as he walked over and sat on the bed, beside me.

I played with my fingers on my lap, still feeling the lingering sensation of Nick holding it. Eli hurt me. It was unexpected and it shows that he doesn't trust me.

"Do you trust me?" I asked, looking at my fingers. I heard him clear his throat.

"Yes. I trust you" he answered and I let out a bitter chuckle.

"You don't. If you did, you wouldn't have believed that I was having any sort of relationship or affair with Nick. If you did, you wouldn't have slept with Steph. And if you did..." I trailed off then raised my eyes to meet his. They were filled with guilt and regret. "You wouldn't have believed every word that came out of Stephanie's mouth" I completed.

"I'm sorry" he said, taking my hands and enveloping them in his. My sleeve raised up a bit due to the action and he caught a glance of one of my scars, his eyes widening. I quickly snatches my hand from his hold and pulled down my sleeve. "Oh my-- what is that on your arm?"

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Writer: Hey sweethearts,
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15/02/2021