" May?" Drew called. " Maaaaay? Come on, we're gonna be late for your check up!"
No answer.
" Maaaaaaaaaaaaaay?!"
Nothing.
Drew checked the living room, the kitchen, even the trashcan outside.
Nothing.
He frowned, standing in the hall with his arms crossed
Then, he heard a sob.
From May's room.
" May?!" Drew exclaimed as he ran to her room and threw the door open.
There was a lump under the pillow.
Drew knelt by the bed, taking a deep breath before gently lifting the edge of the blanket and peeking underneath. He spotted May curled up, her face hidden, shoulders trembling slightly as she tried to stifle her sobs.
Drew softened immediately, a small, reassuring smile spreading across his face. “There’s my girl,” he said gently. “Hey, May…”
She didn’t respond, just pulled the blanket a little tighter around herself. But Drew wasn’t about to let her hide. He crawled onto the bed, lying next to her, and slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his warmth.
“May, come on,” he murmured, rubbing her back softly. “What’s going on? You don’t need to be alone in here.”
May finally looked up, her eyes red and watery. “I... I just didn’t want you to see me like this.”
Drew shook his head, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “May, there’s no way I’d let you go through this alone, whatever it is. You can talk to me.” He gave her a gentle squeeze. “You know that, right?”
She sniffed, wiping her eyes. “It’s just… the check-up,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m so nervous. What if something’s wrong?”
Drew brushed a thumb over her cheek, his gaze soft and comforting. “Hey, I get it. But that’s why we’re going, so we can make sure everything’s okay. And you’re not doing it alone. I’ll be with you the whole time, okay?”
She hesitated, but then gave a tiny nod, finally looking into his eyes. “Promise you won’t leave me?”
Drew smiled, holding her gaze. “Promise.” Then he gave her a playful nudge, his voice lightening. “Now, come on. Let’s get you out from under this blanket and go ace this check- up. Together.'
A small smile crept onto May’s face, and she let out a shaky laugh. With Drew by her side, she felt a little braver. “Okay,” she murmured, sitting up and taking his hand as they headed out.
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