❝You love him.❞
❝He doesn't exist to me.❞
Cassidy has gone through some ups and downs, but this high school experience is going on the ride of his life. Optimistic teacher Will Schuester heads up McKinley High School's glee club -- New Direction...
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Cassie lay in the hospital bed, her body feeling drained and heavy, the steady beep of the heart monitor echoing in the quiet room. The events of the past day blurred together in her mind—the pills, the dizziness, the terrifying moment when everything went black. She shivered, pulling the thin blanket closer around her, trying to shake the fear that clung to her.
The door creaked open, and Finn stepped inside, his face tight with a mix of worry and frustration. Cassie's heart sank; she knew he was upset, but seeing his expression made the guilt hit her even harder.
"Cassie," Finn began softly, moving to her bedside, "you scared the hell out of me." His voice trembled slightly, a testament to how much this had shaken him. "Do you realize how lucky you are? Those drugs could've killed you."
Cassie's eyes filled with tears, her gaze dropping to the thin hospital sheet draped over her legs. "Finn, I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Finn ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "I know you didn't, but you can't keep doing this to yourself. To us. You're my best friend, Cass. I can't lose you." His voice broke on the last word, and Cassie felt her heart twist painfully.
Before she could respond, the door swung open, and Melody and Kurt hurried in, their faces etched with concern. Melody's eyes went straight to Cassie, widening when she saw the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Cassie!" Melody gasped, rushing to her side. Kurt was right behind her, his expression a mixture of relief and fear.
Finn stepped back slightly, giving them room. "She's okay," he said, his voice still tense, "but we need to talk."
Cassie broke down, sobbing as she clutched the blanket. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she cried, her words barely coherent. "Please, don't tell Dad. He'll never forgive me."
Melody exchanged a worried glance with Kurt, then knelt beside Cassie's bed, taking her hand gently. "Cass, we're not here to judge you. We're just worried. We want to help."
Kurt nodded, his voice soft and steady. "But we can't help if we don't know what's going on. You don't have to handle this alone."
Cassie nodded through her tears, feeling the weight of their concern, their love, and her own mistakes crashing over her. She had a long road ahead, but maybe—just maybe—she wouldn't have to face it by herself.
☆
Finn pushed open the hospital room door, his heart racing with a mix of anger and fear. Cassie lay pale and fragile on the bed, her eyes closed, the steady beep of the heart monitor filling the room with an eerie rhythm. Seeing her like this—so small, so broken—lit a fire of frustration inside him.
"What the hell, Cassie?" he snapped, his voice sharp. "Do you have any idea what you've done? To me? To everyone who cares about you?"
Cassie flinched, her eyes fluttering open as she turned her head away, unable to meet his gaze. Finn's chest tightened, his words tumbling out, rough and fast.
