𝑺𝑬𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑨𝑮𝑨𝑰𝑵, javon walton

019

The ambulance was already waiting at the base of the mountain as the rescue team carefully placed Mae on a special inflatable mattress. Anya and Charles climbed into the back of the ambulance, their faces pale with fear and worry, while Javon stood frozen at the edge of the scene, his mind reeling from the shock. He couldn't believe what had just happened—how quickly everything had changed.

Javon stood there, not saying a word, staring into the distance as if in a trance. His chest tightened, and it felt like the air around him had grown thicker. He barely noticed when Jaden and the rest of his family arrived, surrounding him, pulling him into a tight embrace. His body was stiff, his mind disconnected from what was happening. All he could do was stare, trying to process the chaos, the fear, the moment when Mae had disappeared down the slope.

From the ambulance, Charles and Anya were joined by Anya's father, Pierre, who was like a second father to Mae. His face mirrored the same deep concern that hung over everyone. Inside the vehicle, they were briefed on Mae's condition—her tibia and femur were fractured, and her fibula was badly damaged. It would be a long recovery, but she was stable for now.

Hours later, Mae finally opened her eyes in the hospital, blinking against the harsh, sterile lights. Her body ached, especially her legs, but the familiar faces of her father, Anya, and Pierre around her brought her some comfort. Charles leaned in close, brushing a hand through her hair, relief flooding his face. "You're awake," he said softly.

Mae smiled weakly. "I'm okay, Dad. I feel like I got hit by a truck, but I'm okay."

Anya tried to smile through her tears. "You scared the hell out of us, Mae."

"I'm sorry," Mae whispered, her voice hoarse. "I had to do it."

As they talked quietly, in the waiting room just down the hall, Javon sat next to his father, DJ. He was still shaken, his head resting against his father's shoulder. DJ had his arm around Javon, holding him close, sensing the turmoil bubbling beneath the surface.

"You can go see her now," Charles said gently as he and the others emerged from Mae's room. Pierre and Anya were close behind, still visibly shaken but relieved that Mae was awake.

Javon stood up slowly, feeling the weight of the moment. His heart raced as he approached the door, unsure of what to say or do. But the second he stepped inside, and saw Mae lying there, propped up in bed with that faint but familiar smile on her face, a flood of emotion washed over him.

"Hey," Mae said, her voice soft but steady.

Javon blinked, still in shock that she was even awake, let alone smiling. Without thinking, he walked over to her and gently wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. She chuckled softly, wincing a bit from the movement but holding onto him just as tightly.

"You scared me so bad," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly.

She pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes meeting his. "I'm okay, Javon. Really. I'm tougher than I look."

He let out a shaky laugh, his forehead resting against hers for a brief moment before pulling away slightly. "Are you... are you feeling better?"

Mae nodded, though her movements were small, careful. "I'm feeling a lot better. As soon as this leg heals up, I'm going to get right back out there. I'm going to conquer that slope."

Javon's eyes widened. "Mae, seriously? After all this?"

She laughed softly, though it came out more like a weak giggle. "Yeah, well, I can't let one fall scare me off forever, right?"

He sighed, shaking his head, but couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips. "You're insane."

"I know." She grinned.

Suddenly, she reached out and tickled his side, catching him off guard. "Mae!" he gasped, laughing despite himself. He quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her. "Okay, okay, easy—don't make me laugh too much!"

Mae laughed weakly again, her energy fading but her spirit still strong. She leaned back against the pillows, her eyes soft as she looked at Javon. "I knew you'd come," she said quietly.

"Of course, I did. I couldn't stay away."

They sat there in a comfortable silence for a moment before Mae reached for his hand, holding it gently. Javon squeezed back, his thumb brushing softly over her knuckles.

"I was so scared," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mae smiled, her thumb running across his fingers in a soothing rhythm. "I know. But I'm okay now. Thanks to you."

They continued talking quietly, the world outside of them fading away as they reconnected after the ordeal. At some point, Mae leaned over, placing a soft kiss on Javon's cheek.

He froze for a second, then turned to look at her, a slow smile spreading across his face. "What was that for?"

She shrugged, her lips curling into a teasing grin. "I don't know... just felt like you needed one."

"Well, I'm not complaining," Javon said with a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to play it cool while his heart raced.

Mae smiled at him, her eyes twinkling despite the exhaustion and pain she was still feeling. And in that moment, even with everything that had happened, everything felt just a little bit brighter.