Unpredictable Connection

43. Drama Queens and Princesses

Serena's POV:

I opened my eyes to the sound of laughter and playful teasing. Whose voices were those? They were all familiar, yet they seemed to shift and blur, like a memory slipping through my fingers.

Suddenly, I felt someone holding my hand—a warmth so familiar it made my chest tighten. The laughter around me stopped as I instinctively tightened my grip, forcing my eyes to open fully.

Heidi.

She was sitting beside me, her eyes shimmering with tears the moment they met mine.

"Rena..." she whispered, using the nickname she used to call me by, her voice trembling at the edges.

A small, tired smile found its way to my lips just as another voice called my name. I turned my head slowly, the world tilting, and found—

"Nam?" I whispered.

She nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, but her lips curved into a soft smile as she reached for my other hand.

I smiled back, relieved, confused, overwhelmed. Heidi wiped her tears quickly and cupped my cheeks, leaning close.

"You fool," she scolded, her voice breaking as she tried to sound stern. "You made all of us worry like crazy."

A quiet laugh escaped me. "Why?" I asked, genuinely confused.

They exchanged a look, something unspoken passing between them, and it was then I noticed another girl in the room. She stood a little further back, hesitant.

I frowned, trying to sit up, and Heidi and Nam immediately helped me adjust against the headboard.

"Who is she?" I asked, blinking to clear my vision.

Nam smiled and nodded toward the girl as she stepped forward. "I'm Kate," she said softly. "I'm Freen and Nam's friend."

I blinked again, frowning deeper. "Their friend? But... I've never seen you before."

Everyone went quiet, sharing glances that made my stomach twist. Before I could say anything else, the door opened, and Dad rushed in, pulling me into a warm, shaky hug.

I smiled against his shoulder, and when he finally let go, I leaned back, studying the wrinkles on his face with a playful grin. "You look older, Dad."

He let out a choked laugh just as another figure stepped into the room.

My eyes widened, and I couldn't help but smile. "Krik, right?"

He nodded, stepping forward to offer a handshake. "Nice to meet you. We're the same age, so I don't know if I should call you 'P' or just your name."

Nam rolled her eyes, lightly smacking his arm. "Call her 'P,' okay? Show some respect."

Krik laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender, and the sight made something in me pause. The way they looked at each other... so close, so comfortable.

Lovers?

Heidi leaned in, her breath tickling my ear. "He's Nam's fiancé," she whispered. "But Nam doesn't want to get married yet."

My eyes widened even further. What is happening here? Why does it feel like everything changed while I was gone?

Gone...?

The last thing I remembered was being in the car with Freen. We were laughing, talking about...

My chest tightened as the memory came crashing down.

The accident. Freen—

Panic surged through me, but Heidi's hand pressed gently on my shoulder. "Freen will be here soon," she said softly, anchoring me back.