The crash [GIRLXGIRL]

The hospital

At the hospital, I found myself separated from Ryan, surrounded by a swarm of doctors wielding needles and masks. "What's this?" I inquired, bewildered by the sudden flurry of activity.

"Stay still," commanded a female doctor, her tone brusque as they maneuvered me onto a large machine. "This is an x-ray; it'll capture images of your bones," explained another doctor.

"Wow," I murmured, marveling at the technology. The procedure seemed to last an eternity, until finally, the doctors' expressions turned grave. "All done, sweetheart," reassured a kindly nurse, her smile failing to conceal her concern. A somber-faced doctor approached, delivering the grim news of an impending operation.

Whisked away into the hallway, I glimpsed Ryan's haggard figure approaching. "Hi, Mi," he greeted, his presence offering a modicum of comfort amidst the chaos. "You'll have an operation, but it'll make you better," he assured, his voice wavering with unspoken fears.

"I don't want an operation," I protested tearfully.

"I promise it won't hurt," countered the doctor, his assurances falling on deaf ears as anxiety gripped me.

"It won't hurt, Mi," Ryan echoed, his words echoing with sincerity. With a kiss to my forehead, he bid me farewell, his departure leaving me with a lingering sense of unease.

Stripped of my clothes and clad in a hospital gown, I succumbed to the haze of anesthesia, my mind drifting to happier times with Alya, Ryan, and our parents. As consciousness slipped away, memories of carefree days at the park flooded my mind, offering solace amidst the uncertainty.

Upon awakening, I found myself ensconced in a hospital bed, a soft brace encircling my neck, and a call button clutched in my hand. Ryan's earlier reassurances proved true; I was on the path to recovery. Eager to share the good news, I attempted to rise, only to be thwarted by a sharp pang of pain.

"Hey, Mi, how are you feeling?" Ryan's gentle voice broke through my reverie, his concern palpable as he hovered by my bedside. "Don't move," he cautioned, his gaze filled with worry. "You need to stay still until your back heals."

Confusion clouded my thoughts as Ryan disclosed the need for crutches post-surgery, shattering the illusion of a swift recovery. "But you promised I'd be better," I protested tearfully, feeling betrayed by his earlier assurances.

"I know, Mi, I'm sorry," Ryan's admission was tinged with regret as tears welled in his eyes. "Get out!" I cried, my frustration boiling over as he left, his departure marking the beginning of our estrangement.

Days passed in silence, with Ryan's absence weighing heavily on my heart. It wasn't until we were summoned to a meeting with a frail elderly woman that we crossed paths again. Huddled together on a sofa, Ryan drew me close, his presence offering a modicum of comfort amidst the uncertainty.

"That's Gran," he whispered, his voice tinged with reverence. As Gran outlined her plans for our future, a wave of sadness washed over me, the realization sinking in that our lives were about to change forever.

Navigating the maze-like corridors of Gran's antiquated home, I couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that hung heavy in the air. Ryan's comforting presence offered solace amidst the unfamiliar surroundings, his unwavering support a beacon of hope in the tumultuous days ahead.