Summer [Completed]

Chapter Forty-Four

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The Wait
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bomb·shell

noun

1. an overwhelming surprise or disappointment

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Imani POV

It's been too many hours to count, and I'm exhausted. We went home and changed clothes and we've been in the waiting area anxiously awaiting any sort of news.

I haven't slept a wink for fear I might miss something important, but I can feel sleep pulling at my heavy eyelids more and more with every passing second.

We told Jordan that he didn't have to stay, but he insisted, saying he'd feel bad if he left. His capacity to care so much about someone he's just met is odd, but refreshing, and I admire him for his compassion.

My head dips for third time in the last minute, and I give up, resting my head on Ethan's shoulder and closing my eyes.

"Psst." Jordan calls, but I keep my eyes shut, not wanting to be bothered.

"Imani," he calls again and I turn towards him, slightly irritated from lack of sleep.

"Hmm?" I mumble, playing it off like I didn't hear him.

"So, Ethan," he starts, leaning in close and nodding towards Ethan who snores softly beside me. "I take it he's Mr. Complicated?"

I glance over at Ethan.

His long lashes rest on his cheeks, and the dark circles under his eyes are more apparent in his relaxed state. His hair is disheveled, and the lighting in here gives his skin a greenish tint.

Even like this, I still can't help but admire him. Not just the physical aspect of him, either, to me Ethan is a different kind of handsome. From the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice, he is unique and always surprising me. From the vulnerable secrets that he shares only with me to the masks that he wears in front of everyone else, he is far from simple. I love the way his mind works, and how much he cares. Complicated or not, his soul is one of a kind, and it shines with a light that I hope will never dim.

I smile softly to myself. "Yeah, something like that."

Jordan is quiet for a moment, as I glance at Ethan as he sleeps peacefully beside me. He's only been asleep for a short moment, but he's been on edge since we walked into the hospital.

I frown, wondering if he's even been in a waiting room since Rosaline. I can only imagine the kind of emotions running through him right now.

"Can I ask you something?" Jordan asks.

My head rolls lazily to face him. "Sure."

"Do you believe in God?"

"I do." I turn my body to face him. "Don't you?"

He frowns, eyes cast down at the floor. "I do, but I've been thinking... and I can't help but wonder what kind of God would let something like this happen to someone?"

I glance at the wall stoically as I think.

That's a good question.

Why do bad things happen to the people that we care for?

I hate this feeling of uncertainty that's blanketed over this hospital. I despise the unrelenting distress that's borrowed it's way into my mind. A dull ache forms in the pit of my stomach, and it stays there, idly waiting for the second shoe to drop.