Chapter 1
The everyday routine
2004
present day
Beep...Beep...Beep
Y/n holds her mothers hand gently, the sound of the heart monitor almost lulling her to sleep. Sitting up in the uncomfortable chair to force herself to stay awake, Y/n brushed her thumb over her mothers knuckles. For some reason she couldn't help but think about how her mothers hands used to swallow hers when she held them like this years ago when she was younger.
She frowned, sticking out her bottom lip as she pouted slightly.
Times back then definitely weren't good but all the same she wouldn't mind going back.
Placing her mothers hand back on the bed by her side she sighed, bringing her hands up to her head she dragged them down her face in exhaustion. Turning her head to the small radio in the hospital room she flicked it on and turned the knob up slightly to hear the news.
'the opioids crisis continues to surge---'
Suddenly, the phone in her pocket started the vibrate. Pulling out her burner phone she opened up the flip-phone without even checking the number and pressed it to her ear.
"We're still on for tonight right?"
Hearing the familiar voice over on the other end of the phone Y/n's shoulders relaxed slightly as she checked the time on her cheap watch.
"Yeah, after tonight I'm done right?"
"Right."
A small smile of relief spread on Y/n's lips as she closed the phone dropping the call, her eyes flickering back up to her mom.
Even though her mother laid in a hospital bed, cheeks sunken in and unresponsive. Y/n wholeheartedly believed this was the most healthy looking she'd seen her mom look in her life. Standing up to her feet she leaned over the bed, moving strands of long h/c hair out of her mothers face she tucked them behind her ear.
"When you wake up you won't have to worry about what dad got us mixed up in anymore." She spoke in a hushed tone, lowering her head she pressed a kiss to her moms cheek.
Standing up straight she turned off the radio before leaving the hospital room and making her way to the elevator, completely oblivious to the eyes that watched her carefully around the corner; waiting for her to leave.
Exiting the hospital and going into the parking lot, she entered her car putting the keys into the ignition. Turning it to start up the engine she cringed hearing the car make a weird sound as it failed to start up. Turning it again the same outcome repeated, the engine finally coming to life when she turned it for the third time.
"I need to get rid of this piece of shit..." She mumbled under her breath as she backed up out of the parking lot, driving to the elementary school not too far from the hospital.
While driving she pulled her personal phone out from her pocket, needing to make an important call to her friend.
"C'mon, pick up...pick up---" She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel impatiently hearing the phone ring twice before finally hearing a voice pick up.
"Hey n/n,"
"Armin, hey," Y/n swore she could hear Armin's smile just from his tone, the man always seemed to be in a cheery mood. "Pleeassee tell me you were taking notes in todays lecture I was literally spaced out the entire time." An attractive chuckle sounded from the other end of the line in response from Y/n's words.
