Isabelle sees Ben waiting for her in the lobby. She runs toward him and brings the plastic bag of snacks to his face. "Ta-da! I know hospital food sucks, so I bought your favorites." She pulls out a pack of Kit-Kats, which only gets her a skeptical look from Ben. "Okay, so these are my favorites, but I also got you sour candies because I know your slight aversion to sweets."

"Thanks, Belle. Appreciate it," he says, and for a moment, it almost looks like he is going to lean forward and give her a hug, but decided against it at the last second.

"Uh, do you need a hug?" Isabelle asks awkwardly, regretting the words almost immediately when she sees the equally awkward look on his face. So, she adds, "Hugging might make you feel better because it reduces cortisol. Um, I learned it today in class."

"Well, let's test it then," Ben replies. Even though he tries to play it cool, he seems guarded and hesitant when he closes in and wraps his arms around her, his fingertips on her back barely touching her.

She hugs his neck, and in an attempt to close the distance, she teases him, "Speaking my language, are we? Who's the nerd now?" She feels his chest shaking, and she realizes that he's laughing. It sends thrills through her, knowing that she made him laugh.

"So, do you feel better?" she whispers, still on a high from making him laugh. His palms are on her back now, no longer hovering.

He nods. "I do, thank you."

"Science wins again," she says, which earns her another laugh from him, sending another thrill through her.

Isabelle pulls away from him first and looks at face, as if searching for any indication on his features that would tell her the answer to her next question. "How's April?"

"She was asleep when I left her, but she's getting better, I think. At least that's what they told me. Come on, I'll take you to her," Ben says, looking away and leading the way.

When Isabelle and Ben arrive at the intensive care unit (ICU), a middle-aged woman is standing outside its doors. There is something familiar about her that Isabelle couldn't quite place. Dark, curly hair tied in a bun, brown skin, and a sharp, angular face. She looks back at Ben. Same features.

The middle-aged woman looks up and smiles in their direction. She saunters towards them, her heels clacking against the floor. "Oh, Ben, you brought a friend?"

"Mom, this is Isabelle," Ben says. "Isabelle, this is my Mom."

Isabelle transfers the plastic bag to her other hand and stretches out her free hand. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Morrell."

"Likewise. I mean, Benjie constantly talks about you," Mrs. Morrell says, the corners of her eyes wrinkling when she smiles.

Isabelle turns her head to look at Ben, smirking. "Does he? All good things, I hope, ... Benjie?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, ... Belly?" he replies.

Mrs. Morrell chuckles at their exchange. "Anyway, it's the change of shift in about ten minutes, so you and Isabelle only have until then to see and talk to her. I'll run some quick errands and meet the both of you at the canteen."

They nod.

When they enter the facility, Isabelle sees April, her eyes closed but her breathing steady. She's connected to so many tubes that it seems almost impossible to know where one starts and the other ends. She looks pale, the usual bright red on her lips and cheeks are muted. It's jarring to see her without any makeup because she'd always insisted on wearing blush and lipstick even when she's staying at home.

She feels the heaviness in the atmosphere, and when she glimpses at Ben behind her, he suddenly looks just as tired and weary.

"What did the doctors say?" Isabelle asks him, her hand resting on the edge of the bed.

"I don't know," he answers. "I wanted to listen and know what they were saying, but I couldn't understand. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," she says, reaching out to hold the sleeves of his sweatshirt. "I'm sure they were just saying that she's going to be okay." She pauses, taking in the bags under his eyes or the gaunt and tired look on his face. "But are you okay?"

He shakes his head, gently removing her hand on his sleeve. "I know everyone's been saying that, and I should be believing it. But it's so hard to believe that she's going to be okay when I see those tubes connected to her or hear those stupid alarms go off. I know she's stabilized already, but I can't shake off this bad feeling. It's like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"I don't want to lose her, Belle. I haven't even fixed the shelves she asked me to do. And last week, I was supposed to buy her some flowers, but I didn't." He releases a shaky breath and sits down on the floor, his back resting on the foot of the bed.

Isabelle realizes that logic can only help so much, and sometimes, it is better to sit with one's emotions and feelings, no matter how uncomfortable it is. So, she sits beside him on the cold, hard floor and hugs her knees.

"You know, I always find myself looking forward to the weekend because of April," she tells him. "She would always tell me to come with her to the kitchen so we could secretly eat some chocolates. Then, she would pat my cheek and tell me that I'm doing a great job with planting the tulips. And I didn't realize how much I needed to hear those words. To know that I was good at something else."

"She always has a way of making you feel like there's so much good in you even when you can't see it," Ben says.

"Can you tell me more about her?" she asks, looking earnestly at him.

"She was the one who took care of me when I was young. My Mom had me when she was really young, and Mama didn't want her to put her goals and ambitions on hold, so she told her that I could live with her for a while. I guess, "a while" turned into ten years. So, it was Mama who really raised me.

"Somebody made me cry in kindergarten, and I remember her storming into the classroom and talking with the parents whose child pushed me to the ground. She was formidable. And she promised me that she would never let anything bad happen to me. No one messed with me after that.

"She was my biggest defender. Until now, when all everyone sees is wasted potential, she always tells them to brace themselves for when I eventually prove them wrong."

"And when you do, she'll be there to rub it in their faces," Isabelle says with enough confidence for the both of them. Her pinky finger inches toward his, and she locks them — a promise.

A groggy voice interrupts their moment. "Ben?" Upon hearing her voice, he quickly rises to his feet, helping April who wants to sit up on the bed.

Isabelle also stands up, smiling when she sees him fussing over April and telling her to be more careful. After a few moments, April sees her. "Is that you, Isabelle? You are a sight for sore eyes, sweetie. Come here." She gestures for a hug, and Isabelle leans down to hug April.

Never has there been anything more comforting than a hug from April.

"I heard the both of you talking a while ago, and I can promise you wholeheartedly that I'm not going anywhere anytime soon," she tells them, holding their hands. She looks at Ben to see if he understands. "Okay, Ben? So, I want you and Isabelle to head downstairs and eat. My treat."

"I can't leave you alone," Ben says.

"The doctor is coming soon, and I have to put on my lipstick," she tells him, winking at Isabelle. He's cute, she mouths, to which she replies with two thumbs up in support.

"I'll be back soon," he insists.

"Okay, okay," she dismisses him with a wave. "And don't you dare hurry back, Benjamin."

Once they were outside the room, Ben seems so much lighter than before, as though he's no longer carrying the weight of the recent events on his shoulders. She pauses from walking, noting his renewed energy as he takes sure strides toward the elevator.

Ben is okay, and if she asks him, he wouldn't be faking a smile and lying anymore.

Sensing that Isabelle is not beside him, Ben pauses and looks back at her. "You coming, slowpoke?"

She challenges him. "Race you downstairs?"

And to nobody's surprise, she wins. 

—

thank you for waiting for this update :( ily all and i wish i could reply to each comment but know that each one has been viewed and put a smile on my face <33

this chapter is new (and unedited), meaning it wasn't on the previous draft, which is why it took quite a long time to write :') but i'm squeezing in some time everyday to write OTT. from now on, i'm not sure i can guarantee tues and fri updates, but there will be updates once a week (no set schedule but most likely end of the week!)

also, what are your thoughts on this chapter? warning everyone now and again that i LOVE fluff sm and more will come your way hehe i've been reading a lot of romances that's put me in the mood to write ben's and isabelle's <3

that's all! thanks again for waiting <3 every read, vote, comment, and addition to a reading list means the world to me :)) also this is almost to 2k reads and will be featured in storiesundiscovered's playlist this april! this literally wouldn't have been possible without you, so THANK YOU! <33