My Saving Grace

Chapter 5

A ray of sunshine peeked through the crack in the window, signaling the beginning of yet another day. As my eyes adjusted to the brightness, I turned to look at Chase, who was lying perfectly still. I couldn't help the huge grin that was spreading across my face.

Had we really had sex last night?

I lifted the blanket, and the sight of my pantyless self proved it wasn't just some dream I'd conjured up.

It was crazy to think that I'd only known Chase for less than a week, but I felt like I'd known him my entire life. He was so attentive and easy to talk to. We definitely needed to go on a proper date this morning, preferably somewhere I could fill up my already growling stomach.

The sound of a loud, wheezing cough interrupted my happy thoughts, and I grabbed Chase's shoulder.

"Chase? Are you ok?", I asked frantically.

"I-I can't breathe," he rasped, his body shaking violently as he was hit by a massive cough attack.

"Oh no!", I panicked.

"It's so c-cold."

Immediately, I sat up, helping him back into his shirt and jeans and wrapped the blanket tightly around him.

"I have to take you to the hospital, Chase." I felt his forehand with my palm. "God, you're burning up."

I quickly put my clothes on, struggling to remain calm as I grabbed my phone, thankful to see that it hadn't died overnight.

With shaking fingers, I dialed an Uber and within three minutes, one showed up.

Chase was too weak to walk on his own, so he had to hold on to me for support as we headed out the door.

"Where to?", the driver asked. A look of worry flashed across his face when he saw Chase's sick state.

"The university medical center," I replied urgently.

"You got it."

"God, please be ok, Chase," I prayed, holding his head in place on my shoulder as he coughed uncontrollably.

Five minutes later, we arrived at the hospital, and I thanked the driver before helping Chase inside. One of the attendants saw the panicked look in my eyes before glancing over at Chase then called for a stretcher.

"He woke up just now and said he couldn't breathe," I explained in a rush.

"I see. And who are you?"

"I'm Sophia, his friend. I go to school here."

"Ok, Sophia, we'll go have a look at him. For now, you can wait in our reception area."

"Thank you."

As soon as I was in a chair, my phone began to ring, and a sinking feeling hit my chest when I saw who it was. Alexa.

"Hello?", I answered.

"Where the hell are you?!", she screamed.

"Alexa, I-"

"I was so freaking worried! You left the party last night without saying a single word to me, so I thought you'd gone back home. But I just got back from Tristan's, and everyone on our floor said they didn't see you return last night!"

"It's a long story, I promise I'll tell you everything when I get back." I began rubbing the back of my neck uneasily.

"Where. Are. You."

"The hospital," I sighed.

"Fuck! Are you ok?!"

"I'm fine. I'm here because of a friend. He's really sick."