𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐀 ||The Girl Behind The Act||

Chapter 16

Ariana

I struggled to pry my eyes open, blinking a few times to adjust to the blinding brightness of the lights and the white surroundings.

Wait...

Am I in a hospital?

That was the first thought that crossed my mind upon hearing the slow beeping of the heart monitor next to me.

With caution, I sat up on the bed, taking in my surroundings. Clad in a hospital gown, a needle was inserted into my wrist, connected to a drip stand standing nearby.

Confusion washed over me. The last memory I had was fainting in the hallway. How on earth did I end up here?

The door swung open, and my friends walked in, accompanied by my Dad.

"You're awake! Thank goodness," Shay exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug.

We shifted into a group hug when Jo joined in.

"How are you feeling?" I managed a smile.

"Better, I guess."

"I'm relieved you're alright," Dad reassured me, and I returned his smile.

"Can someone fill me in on what happened?" I inquired, and they exchanged concerned glances before turning back to me.

"Apperendicitis. But don't worry, you're in the clear now. You'll be going home later this week," Dad explained, alleviating my worries. I had a hunch it was my appendix, but I wasn't sure of the cause.

"Thanks, guys, for helping me get to the hospital," I expressed my gratitude to the girls, who exchanged puzzled looks.

"Actually, Ari, it wasn't us who brought you here. It was Tristan," they clarified. I was left speechless. I hadn't expected him to be the one.

Me! The girl he probably dislikes the most and thinks has a terrible personality.

"What?" I managed to utter, and Joanna smiled, directing her gaze to the back of the room.

Following her line of sight, I gasped when I spotted him stepping out of the shadows, offering a faint smile.

"Um, could everyone give us a moment?" I surprised myself by asking, and they left the room without a second thought.

Once the door closed, I locked my gaze onto him.

"Why?" He approached my bed and took a seat on the edge.

"Is that your version of a thank you? It's strange to see you expressing gratitude," he teased, but I held his gaze.

Seeing my seriousness, he let out a heavy sigh, meeting my eyes.

"I don't know. You were lying there on the floor, and everyone else was just standing around, so I did what I thought was right," he admitted, and I offered a slow smile, reciprocated by his own.

"Thank you. If it weren't for you, things might have been worse," a new kind of appreciation shone in his eyes, and he managed a forced chuckle.

"You're far from danger, trust me. So you're good." I chuckled.

"Alright then, I should head back to school. Get better soon. I'll see you once you're back," he began to head towards the door, and I felt a hint of disappointment as he left abruptly.

"Alright. Thanks again, Tristan." He pulled the door open and glanced back at me with a smile.

"Anytime, Grande." His sudden shift in attitude caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel puzzled by the nickname.