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Hilary 's POV

The sun was shining brightly in the cloudless morning sky. A perfect day for a new start. It's been three days since the incident. No one brought up the incident and thus, did not make me feel too delicate or something, for which I am grateful for.

Yesterday, after almost a month, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Ray still made amazing mushroom momos, Max was still obsessed with mustard on noodles and I and Tyson still bickered on the silliest of issues with none another than Kenny as our referee. 

The only person missing in action was Kai and the doctor had told that Kai would surely wake up today. The security at his room was increased and today we are supposed to meet up at the hospital at eleven.

Ray had insisted that I stay with them, and after everything that had happened, I was tempted to say yes. But, even though I acted like everything was alright, I still struggled. And I still needed a lot of time to cope up with it. And I didn't want them to know that because I didn't want them to feel guilty. For their part, they did it very convincingly. Maybe because they wanted to forget that... incident as much as I wanted to. And May be I was fine with it.

Most of my injuries had faded. I had removed all my bandages for the shower. The swelling in my neck had almost disappeared and it was no longer purple. I reapplied a bandage on a deep cut on my neck and on a vertical cut close to my right eye, and wrapped my shoulder tightly after applying an anti-septic to the long cut.

I got dressed in a full sleeved plain red pullover with faded grey jeans. The colour red always brightened my mood and since it was a present from my mother, I thought it was the best dress to wear when I go to visit her too. And, the fact that it was full sleeved was also a contributing factor, as I did not want her to find out about the recent happenings.

The doctors aren't sure about when she will be waking up, but they have assured that her health in fine, and the fact that she had an head injury was the only explanation for the delay. To be frank, it was completely up to her, it seems.

I walk into the kitchen for a light breakfast. After eating a bowl of honey flavored cornflakes and an orange, I lock the house and head to the hospital.

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On reaching the hospital,I realise that there was still some time left for the boys to come. I decided to go to my mom's room. She looked way more healthy than the last time I had seen her.  If not for the bandage around her head, anyone could have assumed that she was just asleep. I pull a chair and sit beside her bed, and wrapped her hand in mine. She was warmer than usual, as though she was near the stove for too long.

Before the ruckus of the last week alone, all I wanted was my mom to wake up. But now, all I want is some time for myself. I start contemplating what story I would tell her when she woke up.

 I wanted the cut on my face to heal so that I wouldn't have to come up with a lame lie to cover it up. I wanted the swelling and the deep cut on my neck to heal soon, so that I wouldn't have to leave my hair down all the time in the middle of summer. I wanted my shoulder to heal so I could get rid of the long sleeves and closed neck.

And most of all, what would I tell her when she asks me about dad ? How will she take the news that father was not even aware of the accident most of the time? Will she be mad, or will she accept that it wasn't really his fault? How could I cover up this story without involving the Blade Breakers?

How will dad take the news? How can I come up with a story to prove my innocence in the situation without talking about the attack on Kai and me? Will he freak out and stop me from interacting with the boys? Do I really have to continue being a member of the team, or have I ever really been a part of the Blade Breakers ?

"There you're!!"

I was brought back to reality due to the familiar voice.  I find Max slightly leaning against the door frame,  a small smile on his face.  I slowly place my mother's hand on the bed and make my way towards him.

"Hey Maxy!! How's your head?" I ask as he gives me a hug (a way of greeting in America which makes Tyson highly jealous! ; ) ).

"It no longer bothers me much. Now.... How's your mother. "

My tone gets slightly sobered as I answer "Her health's fine according to the doc, but since her head was hurt, they can't be too sure about when she will wake up, it seems... "

He hesitated for a second or two before answering, "I honestly still can't believe you didn't tell us about this Hill. I'm so sorry we couldn't be there for you. And not just me for that matter, so are the others."  His tone had sobered. I just shrug, not trusting myself to speak before changing the topic. "Where are the others Maxy?" I ask.

"I went back to my father's house yesterday, so we didn't come together. But I'm sure they will be here soon. Come, let's go to the cafeteria. Tyson will surely head there first!"

I chuckle slightly at the remark as an enthusiastic Max drags me to the cafe.

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Tyson's POV

"Come on, Tyson. We are already running late." Ray shouts from the main door, as a cab awaits us on the road.

"Cmmin (coming)!!!" I should swallowing a whole bread slice in twenty eight seconds. As we settle down in the cab and head for the hospital, we sit in silence. For the first time in forever, I didn't mind it s I was immersed in my own thoughts.

On reaching, we do not find anyone in the lobby, nor in Kai's room. We head to the cafeteria, on Ray's suggestion. And indeed he was right. We find Max and Hilary in the cafe as Max explained something with a few hand gestures and Hilary chuckling lightly, slowly eating a bowl of salad (how she even eats it, I have no idea).

A pang of jealousy hits me as Max takes Hilary's hand and kisses it as a dramatic British, for which Hillary bursts out laughing. She goes on with the act, which just increases the feeling. I know that Max has no feelings for her, especially not romantic. I also know that he is something like a younger brother to Hil, but still...

It infuriates me like hell about how can he stay so cool and confident and not stammer while hugging or taking a girl's hand??!!!

"Hello guys." Ray states as we make our way towards them.

"Hey!! " They say together.

"Where's Kenny?" Hilary asks, a concerned look on their face.

"He wanted to spend the day with his parents... " I say.

"Oh... That's good " they say together again, look at each other and burst out laughing again.

I and Ray share a glance, unable to make out the reason to their sudden bout to laughter take a seat beside them. I take a seat beside Max. They finally stop after a minute, and by that time they had tears in their eyes.

"So if you're done laughing, I would like to buy a bowl of shezuan noodles, should I get you guys something?" He asked.  Both Hillary and Max looked a bit embarrassed.

"A bowl of Lasagna for me."  I say.

"A mini pizza, Veg Margarita for me" Max says.

"Do you want anything, Hilary?" Ray asks.

"Nope. Thanks for asking." Hilary answers.

"You know what, Hil? A plate of salad cannot last anyone for a day. "

"Excuse me?"

"Come on Hilary. We both have studied that we should start our day with a proper breakfast to stay healthy and you aren't fat or something to skip food. On the other hand, you look rather weak these days than just slim and you surely cannot afford to skip meals. So buy some food, or should I buy for you?" I say with a serious expression on my face.

Suddenly, Hilary's starts laughing again. I, Max and Ray look at each other confused. I kept on tapping my index finger,  my patience waning. In the middle of her laugh, she barely manages to say " Oh my gosh Tyson , you actually listened to that class!!! " before cracking up again.

I feel heat raising to my cheeks in embarrassment. I could barely sit without tapping on my boots. This time Max also joined Hilary while Ray tries hard not to laugh. We started getting curious looks from other tables when they did not stop even after a few minutes.

I had had enough.  I tell something out of concern and all she could do is make fun of me? "Fine. Find me when you guys are done laughing!!" I say slightly banging the table, heading to Kai's room.

In my rage to leave them, Hilary suddenly grabs my hand. I suddenly felt more hurt than angry. She gestures me to sit as she wipes her tears of laughter "I'm so so so sorry Ty. The explanation you gave us was thought in the class a day before I and Kenny were kidnapped. "

This caught my attention as I still felt guilty for dragging Hilary into our mess and almost got her killed.  How was she able to talk about it so casually?

"You seriously remember the exact day when some topic was explained? And I thought there were some limits for studiousness..." Ray say whistling.

"Oh shut up Ray!! Just listen to me!!" Ray raises his hands in a defensive gesturing.

"That day we all were discussing about the topic while you stayed silent the whole class so I pointed out to the Miss that, if Tyson didn't even say a single word where food is concerned, then surely he was sleeping in the class. "

"He argued that he did listen to the class,  but had no way to prove it to me as he had made no notes.. I used my position as class monitor and gave him class cleaning duty. But surely I was mistaken and he really did listen to that class.... And it's just -I just..... This is all Maxy's fault!! "

Max gave me his cheeky grin. "He has been making me laugh with his downright stupid jokes for half an hour now that I just couldn't stop myself... I didn't mean to insult you or something. That's my job only when you are in school or beyblading."

I stick out my tongue at her.

"......but that was rather sweet of you... "

I turn scarlet again and look at anywhere other than Hilary. Max and Ray share a sly look, but on seeing my face, left their idea where ever it was.

"But still... seriously Hilary ?!! That's just downright stupid!!" Ray says bewildered.

"I know but that's how silly we were six months ago. "

"But still the argument makes sense...."  Max points out trying hard not to look at me.

"Max!! Not you too...."  I say playfully hitting Max's head.

"Ouch!!! Not my head Ty!!" He hisses rather pained. My blood ran cold.

"I'm so sorry Maxy!!  Are you okay? I didn't mean to hurt you or something. Can you stand up? "

"I'm seriously fine Tyson. Calm down buddy. Its just a bit sore. "

"Oh..." Before I started feeling more put out than before, Ray saves me by reminding us the actual conversation. "So guys....  Do you want anything else?"

"Yeah...  A bottle of coke would be nice."

"No Ray. I'm fine... I had a bowl of cereal and a fruit before coming here, so I'm not hungry anymore."

So that's the reason she just had a salad huh? God, if she had just told it sooner... I palms were sticky due to the sweat. I felt slightly difficult in breathing. I needed fresh air,  out of this suffocating room. I really had to get out of here.

"Um Ray?... Cancel my order. I-um forgot- someon-thing and... I'll be back in a minute" I say and run away from the cafeteria not daring to look back.

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Max's POV

We all sit stunned into silence after the sudden departure of my best friend.

"Go after him, will you? Things would just become more awkward if I go behind him. You're his best buddy.  You can calm him down..."

"Yeah Max, We surely did cross the boundary by laughing at him while he was so.... unstable emotionally. Of course we should have seen the signs before and just shut up."

I nod and run behind my best friend praying that he hasn't done anything stupid or reckless in the last two minutes while I continue scolding myself for not noticing earlier how fragile his status was after not sleeping and not eating properly for days. How weak he had become, how lifeless his eyes looked and how barely he spoke in the last few days. I should have noticed how badly he had been taking care of himself.

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Words: 2268

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A/N: Sorry for putting up the chapter so late in the day,  because I completed it just now.  How did you guys find the new cover page? Comment / compliment it in the chat box. If I find any valid change mentioned by you guys, I will definitely see to it.

And another thing, if you had to rename the title based on the chapters you have read so far,  what would it be? Please mention it in the chat box.

Do you think I should increase the word limit of each chapter from 2000+ as I post a chapter every fortnight now... Do let me know soon.

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Happy reading!!!

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