Against the Edge

Confronting the Past

As Miguel stepped out of the athletic building, stretching his arms after the intense meeting, he spotted Ethan standing a short distance away, leaning against his car. There was a peculiar look in his best friend's eyes a mix of urgency and unease that Ethan tried to mask with a casual smile. But Miguel could tell something was off.

"Ethan?" Miguel asked, approaching him. "What're you doing here? I thought you'd be buried in books for the exams." He chuckled, expecting Ethan to join in, but his friend's expression remained tense.

Ethan swallowed, then finally met Miguel's gaze. "Hey, man, listen," he began, voice steady but betraying a hint of worry. "We... we need to go to New York. Right now. My dad, he needs both of us there."

Miguel frowned, taken aback. "Adam needs our help? What's going on?"

Ethan seemed to hesitate, but he shook it off, forcing a reassuring smile. "It's... complicated. Hard to explain. I promise I'll fill you in on the way, okay? Just... trust me on this one."

Miguel's instincts told him something was off, but seeing the earnestness in Ethan's eyes, he nodded. "Alright. Let's go." Without further questions, he climbed into the passenger seat.

As they sped out of Cambridge, Miguel noticed Ethan's tight grip on the wheel and how his eyes remained intensely focused on the road, far more than usual. Ethan responded to Miguel's attempts at conversation with simple, clipped answers, trying to keep things light but betraying a deep distraction.

After about an hour of driving, Miguel leaned back, the rhythm of the road calming him a bit despite the nagging feeling that something wasn't being said. Glancing at his phone, he saw a new message from Blanca.

Blanca: "Hey! Just wanted to check in. Hope the meeting went well! I've been drowning in exam notes all day, you have any tips?"

Miguel smiled, typing back.

Miguel: "Oh, you know me, procrastination is my secret to success. Just wrapped up the meeting, though. How are you holding up?"

As he typed, Ethan quickly glanced over, relieved that Blanca had started messaging as he'd asked. He tapped out a brief reply to her, making sure to keep Miguel's focus away from the underlying tension of their trip.

Ethan (to Blanca): "Thanks, you're a lifesaver. Just keep him occupied. I'll explain everything later. It's important he doesn't worry right now."

Blanca replied almost immediately

Blanca: "Don't worry. I've got this."

Meanwhile, Miguel's phone buzzed again, and he chuckled as Blanca sent him a photo of her cluttered study desk with scattered sticky notes and textbooks.

Blanca: "You think I'm surviving exams with this mess? Tips appreciated, captain."

The exchange kept Miguel entertained, taking his mind off the growing questions about their sudden trip. Ethan stole a few glances, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he watched Miguel chuckle at his phone.

The sun was starting to dip below the horizon as they entered the outskirts of New York City. Ethan's grip on the wheel tightened, and his demeanor shifted as he braced himself for what lay ahead.

As they neared the familiar skyline of New York City, Miguel leaned forward in his seat, feeling the swirl of anxiety tighten in his chest. Ethan had hardly said a word since they crossed into Manhattan, his gaze set firmly on the road as he maneuvered the car with steady precision.

Suddenly, Ethan took a left turn, heading toward the city's hospital district. Miguel's heart began to pound as he watched Ethan steer the car into the hospital's parking lot. Confusion, mixed with dread, settled in his stomach.