Midnight Rides

Prologue

I was waiting anxiously at the hospital, my heart pounding in my chest, desperate to know what was happening to Aaron. The car accident had left us both shaken, but I had escaped with only minor injuries. Aaron, on the other hand, had taken the brunt of the collision, and the severity of his condition was still unknown.

I glanced towards the hospital doors and saw Aaron's parents rushing in, their faces etched with worry and fear. Without a moment's hesitation, I got up from the seat and hurried towards them. As I reached them, I wrapped my arms around Aaron's mom, seeking solace in her embrace. Tears welled up in my eyes, and this was the first time my emotions overwhelmed me to such an extent.

Breaking the hug, she looked at me, gently wiping away the tears from my cheeks. "I'm sorry, it happened so fast," I whimpered, my voice filled with guilt. Aaron's mom hugged me again, her touch soothing and comforting. "Mrs. Graham, please don't hate me," I whispered, my voice barely audible. She shook her head, struggling to find the right words.

"Noah, sweetheart, it's not your fault. Aaron just needs patience and time to heal, ok?" Mr. Graham asks. I nodded as Mr. Graham started taking control of the situation. He looked at me with understanding and concern. "Have you heard anything from the doctors?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. I shook my head, my gaze fixated on the doors that separated me from the love of my life.

Feeling overwhelmed, I slowly moved back to the waiting area, followed by Aaron's parents. I sank into one of the seats and buried my face in my hands, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Noah, don't beat yourself up, it's not your fault," Mr. Graham whispered, his words attempting to alleviate the burden I carried. I nodded, appreciating his support, and glanced at my phone. It buzzed incessantly with calls from my own parents, who were undoubtedly worried sick.

With a heavy sigh, I stood up and walked away, telling Aaron's parents that I needed to speak with my own parents. I called my mom, and she let out a sigh of relief upon hearing my voice. We talked for a little while, seeking comfort in each other's words, before she mentioned her trip to Spain to attend her sister's wedding for the tenth time. My heart sank at the thought of her leaving during such a difficult time.

As I turned around, my eyes fell upon Aaron's parents engaged in a conversation with a doctor. Their crystal blue eyes were filled with tears, and my heart skipped a beat. I hurried back to them, and the doctor shifted his attention to me. Despite the gravity of the situation, he offered a soft smile and ushered us into a private room. My breath caught in my throat as I entered, my eyes widening at the sight before me. There lay the love of my life, fighting for his own.