Colliding with Fate

~Twenty-One~

I drove to school the next day and informed Mr Weaver about Fate. He was very upset to hear about what happened, but he told me that if I wanted to be exempt for the day, he would take care of it. I decided against it since I still needed to talk to Claire. I hadn't seen her all day until lunch. Her vibrant hair was pulled into a high ponytail, her back against me. I made my way past everyone and sat down at our lunch table. She whipped her head around in my direction as if sensing my presence. Her smile lit up the room as she squealed my name and hugged my neck and sat down beside me.

"How is everything?" She questioned, an eyebrow quirked. I shrugged and decided to jump into my story. When I finished, Claire was frowning. "Well, I'm glad Fate's alright, but his dad is a major jerk. Who the heck is so cold-hearted that they take their anger out on their family?!" I could tell that Claire was getting a bit defensive because she had family problems herself. "I feel so stupid for crying over something as little as my parents arguing when Fate is completely quiet about his abusive alcoholic father."

I reached out and rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. "Both of you don't have the best home life. You and Fate have different problems, and yes - he is in the hospital for it - but that doesn't make your problems any less bad. Your parents' arguments still hurt you." I replied softly. I watched as Claire teared up at my words. She offered me a small, sad smile in response.

"I guess you're right, but I still feel awful." She muttered.

"We all feel awful. Just don't feel guilty about voicing your problems, okay?" Claire nodded and sniffed. I watched her aggressively swipe a hand under her nose. She shivered as if shaking off all of her life's issues. In a matter of seconds, a bright fake smile was on full display as she changed the subject. I decided not to push her and just listen to her constant, useless rambling about the Student Council and the rest of her classes. When the bell rang, Claire shot up and rushed out a short 'good-bye' before running to her next class. A boy with shaggy blond hair approached her and abruptly left after she said something that apparently wasn't what he wanted to hear.

I continued through my classes and couldn't get my mind off of Fate and Destiny. I couldn't wait to drive to the hospital after school to visit. I hoped that Fate was feeling better already. Finally, the last bell of the day rang and I practically sprinted to my car. The drive was short and sweet, consisting of only me and my overwhelming thoughts. Mine and Fate's kiss replayed in my mind as I parked in the hospital parking lot, walked inside, and asked to be led to room 105. When I opened the door, I witnessed something beautiful.

Destiny was seated where I last saw her, holding a photo album in front of him. He was smiling softly. Despite being wrapped almost head-to-toe in gauze and bandages, he still managed to look breathtakingly handsome when his gorgeous eyes looked up from that photo album and raked over my appearance. His small smile widened into a grin when he saw me. "Hello, Evanine!" Destiny greeted, dropping the album next to Fate. She got up from her seat and enveloped me in a tight hug.

"I'm so glad you're here! Fate has been talking about you since he woke up this morning." She continued. I laughed at that and passed a suspicious look to Fate, who seemed to be blushing a bit.

"Really, now? What was he saying?" I teased.

"He asked when you left, if you came to visit for the day while he was asleep, if you went to school, when you'd come back..." Destiny listed off.

I felt my heart beat a bit faster at that. "Someone seemed to have missed me."

"You two are the talk of the floor, you know," Destiny smiled. "Well, mostly Fate." She shot him a knowing wink.

"Really? Why?" I prodded, twirling my car keys in my hand.

"Well, it was your kiss, of course! None of the nurses have heard of one of their patients' vitals going crazy over a kiss." She chuckled. Fate groaned and threw his uninjured hand over his face.

"Mom," He managed as he ran his hand over his eyes.

"Alright alright, I'll leave you two now." She hugged me once more before leaving us alone.

I made my way over to the seat located next to Fate's bed and sat down, eyeing the photo album Destiny left behind. I wordlessly picked it up and opened it slowly. "Beware, I'm not dressed in some of those." Fate joked. I skimmed over the photos and was surprised to see how smiley Fate was when he was younger. There were pictures of him playing in mud puddles with Tonka trucks, wearing nothing but a diaper. I saw another picture of Fate when he looked to be around eight or nine years old, wearing a pair of overalls and a white tee, hugging his mother. The two of them wore identical smiles in the picture.

I continued looking through the album and sure enough, there were multiple pictures of Fate in a deep tub, bubbles surrounding him. He was wearing a bubble-beard, grinning ear-to-ear. Another picture that caught my attention was of little five-year-old Fate sitting on Destiny's shoulders, reaching over a large Christmas tree to add the finishing star on top of the beautiful tree. But what I noticed throughout the whole album was that there was not one single picture of Hank. There weren't even family pictures. "These pictures are adorable," I smiled, setting down the album. "If you don't mind me asking, where is Hank?" I added quietly. Fate shrugged, a tired sigh escaping his lips. I was about to tell him he didn't have to answer when he spoke up.

"Hank was in prison for about fifteen years. He was arrested for drunk driving and aggravated assault towards an officer. On top of that, the police already were keeping an eye on him for the suspicion of possession of over 20 grams of crystal meth, which he ended up having in the back of his pickup stashed under seats. So he was supposed to have at least eighteen years of prison, yet somehow he got out before that and then came back unchanged. I was two when he was arrested, and he got out about two weeks ago. I'll bet he's pissed that he's going back to prison, but he deserves it. Anyways, Hank wasn't here for basically any of my childhood. If he were, though, I wouldn't have had much of one anyway." Fate explained emotionlessly. I reached for his hand in silent support. He squeezed my hand back. What Fate and Destiny have gone through was supposed to be non-existent. It broke my heart to hear about what all Hank was arrested for.

"I'm really sorry," I mumbled.

"Don't be. I wouldn't have met you if none of that junk didn't happen." Fate replied.

"Quite charming," I rolled my eyes playfully, biting my cheek in an attempt to keep from laughing.

"Always. Don't expect anything less." He retorted, letting out a short laugh.

My phone chimed in my back pocket. I took my hand out of Fate's and reached for it. Mom's name and a text from her popped up:

Mom: Hey, honey! Tell Fate we all hope he's better. Dinner is ready for you when you get home, dear. See you then:*

I smiled softly. "I'm sorry, but I have to head home. Mom said she hopes you're feeling better."

Fate chuckled. "Alright. I should be discharged by the end of this week. Will I see you before then?"

I got up and pecked his cheek. "Of course," I smiled. He grinned back. We said our goodbyes and I left without another word.

Of course Fate was going to see me before this Friday - I couldn't seem to stay away.

---

Eeek everything is okay, promise.

I love you guys!!!