Darkstar

Chapter Seven: The News

Sitting in English class, Alex found it nearly impossible to concentrate on the lesson. The clock on the wall ticked slowly, each second feeling like an eternity as he watched the hands move. His mind was consumed with thoughts of the evening ahead—helping with chores on the farm and then heading to Ashley's party.

He glanced around the room, watching his classmates scribble notes or engage in light conversations. But for Alex, time seemed to stand still. He was filled with a bubbling mixture of anticipation and nerves, replaying the moments he'd shared with Ashley earlier in the day.

Finally, the bell rang, cutting through his reverie. A wave of relief washed over him as he gathered his things, adrenaline surging as he realized it was time to put his plan into action. He hurried out of the classroom, ready to race home and take care of his chores so he could finally enjoy the night he'd been looking forward to.

As Alex made his way through the bustling hallway, excitement coursing through him, he suddenly spotted the principal approaching. Mr. Thompson, tall and authoritative, was navigating the crowd with a keen eye. When their paths crossed, Alex felt a jolt of apprehension.

"Alex!" Mr. Thompson called out, motioning for him to stop. Alex swallowed hard, anxiety creeping in as he wondered if he'd done something wrong.

"Sir?" he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Mr. Thompson's expression shifted to one of concern. "Alex, I need to talk to you about something serious," he said, his tone somber.

Alex felt a knot tighten in his stomach. "What's wrong?" he asked, anxiety creeping in.

"There was an accident involving your grandpa earlier," Mr. Thompson explained gently. "Your grandma is outside the school waiting to take you to the hospital."

Alex's heart sank, fear flooding his thoughts. "Is he okay?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"I don't have all the details, but your grandma is worried and wants you with her," Mr. Thompson replied, his eyes filled with empathy.

Without another word, Alex nodded, feeling a rush of urgency. He quickly turned on his heel and rushed toward the exit, the excitement of the party replaced by a heavy sense of dread. The bustling hallway faded away as he sprinted outside, his mind racing with worry for his grandpa and hoping he would be alright.

As Alex burst through the school doors, his heart pounding in his chest, he barely registered anything around him. The worry for his grandpa consumed him, drowning out all other thoughts. He ran past a group of students, the noise of their laughter fading into the background.

Just then, Ashley caught sight of him. She was standing near the entrance, her eyes bright with excitement, ready to say goodbye before heading to her own plans. "Alex!" she called out, waving her hand. But he was so lost in his frantic thoughts that he didn't even notice her.

Ashley's smile faded as she watched him rush by, concern etching her features. She could sense something was wrong and felt a pang of disappointment that she couldn't reach him. As he disappeared down the path toward the parking lot, her heart ached for him, wishing she could help in some way.

For Alex, the world around him had blurred, focused solely on the urgency of getting to his grandma and finding out what had happened to his grandpa.

As Alex reached the car, he found his grandma waiting with a worried expression etched on her face. The sight of her deepened the knot in his stomach. He quickly opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, his heart racing. "Grandma, what happened to Grandpa?" he asked, his voice strained with concern.

She turned to him, her eyes filled with worry. "There was an accident involving a hit-and-run earlier today," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "He was on his way back from the feed store when it happened."

A chill ran down Alex's spine as he recalled the blaring sirens he had heard that morning. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—could that have been the accident his grandpa was involved in? "Was it bad? Is he okay?" he pressed, desperation creeping into his tone.

"We don't know yet," Grandma replied, her voice shaky. "We need to get to the hospital quickly."

Alex nodded, feeling a mix of fear and urgency. As his grandma started the car, he couldn't shake the image of his grandpa from his mind, praying that he would be alright. The weight of the situation settled heavily on him as they sped off, the anticipation of the party now replaced by worry for his family.

Alex's heart ached at the thought of his grandpa. Since his parents had died when he was very young, his grandparents had been his rock, providing him with love and stability. He could barely recall the events surrounding his parents' passing—just flashes of memories, like fleeting shadows. All he knew was that the loss had left a void that his grandparents had filled with their unwavering support.

Now, the fear of losing his grandpa felt overwhelming. The thought of navigating life without him was unimaginable. Grandpa had always been there, sharing stories, teaching him about the farm, and guiding him through life's challenges. He was a steady presence, a source of wisdom and comfort, and the idea of that being taken away was too much to bear.

As they drove toward the hospital, Alex clenched his fists, trying to push down the wave of emotion threatening to overwhelm him. He couldn't let himself think about what could happen; he needed to focus on the present and hope for the best. "Please, let him be okay," he whispered under his breath, staring out the window as the scenery rushed by, praying that he wouldn't have to face another loss in his life.