John stared at his reflection in the mirror for a long moment. Slowly, he reached up and carefully peeled away the bandage wrapped around his nose, its fabric stained with a small smudge of dried blood. Once the bandage was fully removed, he hesitated before gently pressing his fingers against the bridge of his nose, testing for any lingering pain.
The ache had lessened over the weeks, but it hadn't disappeared entirely.
The first thing he noticed was a faint, reddish line stretched thin across the bridge, likely the crack that had formed when Liam had headbutted him all those weeks ago. The mark was subtle but unmistakable, a quiet reminder of the blow that still throbbed beneath his skin.
John: I look like Iruka Sensei from Nar*to.
John's gaze drifted downward to the sink beneath the mirror, and suddenly he realized how dry his mouth felt. Thirst washed over him like a quiet wave. He took a slow, steadying breath, then turned away from the mirror and stepped out of his room.
Making his way down the hall, he headed toward the kitchen, opening the fridge to grab a cold bottle of water. The chill of the bottle against his palm was a small comfort.
But as he turned to leave, he unexpectedly ran into his mother.
She was home tonight—something John had hoped wouldn't be the case. Unlike the previous nights when she was busy with her customers, tonight she stood there, unoccupied and watching him with an unreadable expression.
John: (to himself, frustrated) Damn it.
A heavy silence hung between them for a few seconds before his mother finally spoke, breaking the stillness.
Mom: You're back already? I didn't hear you come in.
John: Wasn't trying to make noise.
Another pause stretched awkwardly as John took the chance to start walking past her, trying to avoid any confrontation. But as he moved to leave, his mother's voice stopped him again.
Mom: You eating tonight?
John: (without turning) Not hungry. I already had dinner before I got back.
She could feel the edge in his voice—the irritation, the need to get away. It stung her more than she wanted to admit.
Mom: You don't get to be angry with me forever, you know.
John gripped the bottle of water so tightly his knuckles turned white, nearly crushing the plastic. His jaw clenched as he fought to control the anger bubbling inside. After a moment, he forced himself to calm down.
John: (coldly) You don't get to pretend like you're the victim either.
The words hit her like a slap. She flinched visibly, her defensiveness rising quickly.
Mom: (voice sharpening) You don't seem to get it. I'm doing everything I can to take care of us. For you.
That 'for you' cut deeper than she realized. John snapped, his restraint shattering.
John: (spinning around to face her) No. You're doing what you want—and then blaming me when I call out what's wrong.
Mom: (pleading) I'm trying, John. I've tried other options—things I thought would work, but they never ended up the way I wanted them to.
John's voice grew louder, filled with disbelief and hurt.
John: And you decided to do this?! Of all the things, this?!
Mom: (almost breaking) I never wanted it to be like this, you know? I tried. I really, REALLY tried. Everything I'm doing now is still—
John: (cutting her off, bitter) —for me. Right? "I do it for John." Please. You think saying that makes it better? Makes any of this okay?!
They both stood frozen in the tension, staring each other down until finally, she spoke again, voice tight and defensive.
Mom: (harshly) I never asked to raise you alone.
John's voice dropped, barely above a whisper, raw and broken.
John: (quiet, wounded) And I never asked to grow up with shame sleeping in the next room... the constant stress of having to hide you... feeling ashamed to invite friends over or trying so hard to make sure no one—and I mean no one—knows what kind of life you live around me.
Silence swallowed the room.
John: (softly, voice cracking, almost a whisper) If you really cared, you wouldn't use me to justify the choices you made. Don't act like you're doing me a favor.
His mother's mouth opened as if to say something, but no words came out. John watched her for a moment, then turned sharply and walked away, retreating to the safety of his room and leaving her standing alone in the hallway, the weight of their silence hanging heavy between them.
******
Meanwhile, Kana sat down in her ward and was reading a web novel that had been talked about on Twibbler for the last few days half mindedly since her mind was constantly thinking about the poem she had just submitted earlier that day for the writing competition.
Kana: (to herself) There's probably a lot of other poems there. I just hope mine will be able to stand out. (pauses) But would it?
Kana sighed as the anxious feeling in her refused to go away and at that point, she couldn't focus on the web novel she was reading anymore.
Kana then began to look up at the ceiling and suddenly John began to appear at the back of her mind. Her face then began to turn red as she couldn't help but smile whenever she thought of John.
Suddenly, as if she regained her senses, she began slapped her cheeks with both of her hands but her red face refused to fade away.
Kana: No… no way. I already said I'm not going to chase these feelings… but…
Kana then rested her head on her knees as she thought of John once more, the thought warming her chest once more.
Kana: I can't help but think about it…
But this time… that warmth sharpened.
But just as the warmth settled in her chest, a sharp, uncomfortable pressure followed—like something squeezing from the inside.
She flinched slightly, her smile fading.
Kana: (whispers) …Huh?
Kana placed a hand over her chest, fingers tightening over the fabric of her hospital gown. The pain wasn't unbearable but it was just enough to steal her breath for a second. Enough to remind her of her sickness.
Kana: How cruel…
She sat back up slowly, blinking it away, trying to steady her breath.
And then—her phone buzzed.
Kana glanced down and saw John's name lighting up the screen, along with the familiar camera icon.
A video call.
Her heart skipped—not just from the lingering ache in her chest, but from the sight of his name.
She hesitated for a moment, then reached for her hair tie and quickly pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail, trying to compose herself.
Then, with a deep breath, she answered.
******
Gamerboy115
> Hey, what's up?
Kana immediately felt a familiar flutter in her chest—a small, uncomfortable knot that she'd been trying to ignore all day. It wasn't quite pain, more like the sensation right before something shifts inside her.
Lonelygirl4556
> Hey. I'm… pretty okay right now. Nothing much is happening here. But, hey, I finally managed to submit that poem for the competition.
John let out a soft chuckle.
Gamerboy115
> Yeah, I saw. You already sent it to like, everyone, didn't you?
Lonelygirl4556
> I know, I know. I just… felt like telling someone. I'm happy about it but also kind of nervous at the same time.
Gamerboy115
> Nah, don't sweat it. You'll do great. Seriously.
Kana smiled and felt a faint blush rise to her cheeks. She quickly turned her head to hide it from John, but when she did, he caught sight of her hair tied up in ponytails again—something about it made his own cheeks heat up.
Lonelygirl4556
> What about you? How's everything?
Gamerboy115
> Me? I'm just tired, honestly. School's been brutal lately, work too. I've got my second round of mock exams coming up, and on top of that, I still need to fill out college forms… even though I have no clue what I want to do when I graduate.
Lonelygirl4556
> Wow. That sounds like a lot. How do you keep from feeling overwhelmed?
Gamerboy115
> I try not to think about it too much until I have to. If I let it get to me now, it messes with everything else I'm juggling.
Kana smirked at him through the screen, and John instantly knew what was coming.
Lonelygirl4556
> So, if you have all this stuff to prepare for, why are you still talking to me instead of studying?
John scratched the back of his neck nervously and glanced away from the camera before answering.
Gamerboy115
> Like I said, stuff like this is easy for me. And also…
He swallowed hard, voice dropping a little.
Gamerboy115
> …I just wanted to see you. To hear your voice.
Hearing this, Kana's face flushed even deeper. She quickly buried it in her pillow, hoping John couldn't see just how awkward she looked.
After a few seconds, her voice muffled by the pillow but soft and affectionate, she replied.
Lonelygirl4556
> …Idiot.
Gamerboy115
> Huh? What'd I do now?
Kana peeked out from under her pillow, eyes still bright but flustered.
Lonelygirl4556
> You can't just say stuff like that so casually… it's not fair.
John grinned shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Gamerboy115
> Sorry. I didn't mean to tease. I just… you make my day better. Even if it's just a call like this.
Lonelygirl4556
> I feel the same way.
A comfortable silence settled between them, warm and familiar. Both just stared at each other through the screen, content in the quiet moment.
Kana lifted her head slightly from the pillow, still blushing.
Lonelygirl4556
> You're really bad at hiding how sweet you are, you know that?
John smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.
Gamerboy115
> Maybe. I just didn't want the day to end without hearing your voice. It's been… kind of a rough one.
Kana's expression shifted to concern.
Lonelygirl4556
> Did something happen?
John hesitated, his gaze dropping for a moment. He thought about brushing it off, but he was tired of hiding.
Gamerboy115
> It's just… my mom and I. We had a fight. One of those fights where you say things you've been holding back for too long.
Kana's face softened, and she sat up a little straighter, giving him her full attention.
Lonelygirl4556
> I'm sorry. That sounds really heavy.
Gamerboy115
> Yeah… it was. I said a lot of things I've wanted to say for years. And now I don't really know how I'm supposed to feel.
Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that comes with processing hard truths. After a while, Kana spoke again.
Lonelygirl4556
> Can I say something kind of weird?
Gamerboy115
> Always.
Lonelygirl4556
> I think it's okay to say things out loud. Even when they hurt. Even when they make you feel guilty. Sometimes keeping those things inside hurts even worse.
John looked at her, taking her words in deeply. His eyes flickered, as if something inside him finally found its place.
Gamerboy115
> You sound like someone who's had to do that before.
Kana gave a faint smile, glancing away for a moment.
Lonelygirl4556
> Maybe once or twice. Maybe every day.
He watched her—this girl in her hospital room, probably in pain most days, yet still finding a way to make him feel seen.
Gamerboy115
> You're kind of incredible, you know that?
Lonelygirl4556
> Me?
Gamerboy115
> (nods) You always know what to say. Even when I don't.
Kana tried to laugh it off, but her smile was warm and shy.
Lonelygirl4556
> I just try to say what I would want to hear. Guess we're both doing that.
Gamerboy115
> Yeah… maybe we are.
Suddenly, both phones pinged with a notification. Someone had added them to a group chat. When they saw the username, both smiled.
RecklessSoul06 added you to the "My Online Buddies" group chat.
They joined, noticing Rose had also added Liam, making everyone admins.
Along with the invite was a message in the group description.
RecklessSoul06
> I did a thing. You're welcome.
Beethoven110
> Wait, what is this? Why am I in this group?
Lonelygirl4556
> Oh my God, Rose.
Gamerboy115
> Rose… really?
RecklessSoul06
> Yep, really. We've all been chatting separately — might as well vibe together in one place.
Beethoven110
> I'm not great with group chats.
RecklessSoul06
> That's why I especially added you, nerd.
Lonelygirl4556
> Honestly? I kind of love this.
Gamerboy115
> Same here. It's cool having all of us in one spot like this.
Kana and John glanced at each other through the video call, both breaking into smiles and laughing together.
When the laughter died down, John spoke again.
Gamerboy115
> A group chat, huh? Rose is… something else.
Lonelygirl4556
> Yeah, but I like the idea. It feels like we're a family.
Gamerboy115
> Yeah, like a weird little online family. (laughs) But honestly, not a bad one.
Lonelygirl4556
> (smiling) It's comforting… knowing that even if I'm stuck here, I have people out there who care.
Gamerboy115
> You're not stuck. You're just in a different place for now. And we're all still with you.
Lonelygirl4556
> You always know how to say the right thing, huh?
Gamerboy115
> Only when I'm talking to you.
They smiled again. A pause. Kana fidgeted with her blanket before speaking softly.
Lonelygirl4556
> You know… if I ever got out of here… I'd want more than just this screen and our hangout back in December.
Gamerboy115
> What do you have in mind?
Lonelygirl4556
> Something like… being surrounded by people I love. Not just online, but really there. Eating together, laughing, watching terrible movies…
Gamerboy115
> That sounds perfect. That's the kind of future I want, too. And we can make it happen. Just say when—we'll be there.
A quiet moment passed, then Kana looked at John with a vulnerability in her eyes that made his heart catch.
Lonelygirl4556
> If I ever got to have something like that… if I ever started a real family…
She hesitated, then looked directly into the screen, serious and open.
Lonelygirl4556
> …I think I'd want to start it with you.