Weight of The Untold

Chapter 58

Week 22: The lungs, the muscles that will help them work and the tiny alveoli are developing. The eyelids can be distinguished but are not yet opening and closing.

_________________________________________

Kyla’s POV

My door creaked open softly, the sound pulling me out of the quiet haze I’d been drifting in. I turned my head toward the doorway, my heart instinctively jumping before I even knew who it was.

Clyde peeked his head in.

The second I saw him, the tension I hadn’t even realised I was carrying melted just a little. I smiled automatically—warm, genuine—especially when I noticed what he was holding.

He pushed the door open wider and stepped inside, balancing a tray of food carefully in his hands.

“Hey sleepyhead.”

I giggled, sitting up slightly as he walked closer. “I brought you something to eat.”

“You didn’t have to, Clyde.” My eyes moved over the tray—burnt toast, eggs, avocado, and a cup of coffee. Something about the slightly overdone toast made my chest tighten in the softest way. “It looks yummy.”

He smiled, that familiar shy-proud smile, and sat down beside me on the bed.

“Are you feeling any better?”

I took a sip of the coffee. Just like always—perfectly made, exactly how I liked it. That alone made my throat tighten.

“The only thing that keeps me going right now is you guys, Zach, and my baby.” My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. “With time I’ll be fine.”

“I understand.” He watched me quietly as I started eating. “By the way Ari called me. Did you give her my number?”

Oh.

I’d completely forgotten to mention that.

I swallowed before answering. “Yeah, she really likes you.”

“Does she have any siblings?”

I shook my head. “From what Caleb said the only family she had was an uncle, his wife and a cousin and they didn’t have a healthy relationship.”

I continued eating, the room filled with a comfortable silence.

“Oh… just like me huh,” he said quietly.

The words landed heavier than he probably intended.

“Have you eaten?” I asked suddenly, realising he might’ve only cooked for me.

He chuckled. “Yeah I did, Ky, don’t worry.”

I finished breakfast with him sitting beside me, his presence grounding, steady, familiar. We left together for our first classes, and for a brief moment, life almost felt normal again.

---

Later that day…

“Hey.” I dropped onto the couch beside Hazel.

“You look exhausted,” she said, giggling as she took her coat off.

“I just had the most boring lecture of all times,” Hazel groaned, removing her glasses.

“I am glad I did not take that subject.” I giggled. “I wouldn’t cope.”

“I can agree with you on that one.”

I laughed softly while checking my phone. A few missed calls from Ari caught my attention.

“Where is Meg?” I asked, already typing a message.