I had never felt more nervous in my life.
Not before exams. Not before soccer finals. Not even the day I kissed Ava.
But now… sitting outside a sterile hospital room while the girl I love lay inside, forgetting who I was?
That was hell.
The nurse opened the door and nodded gently.
"She's awake. You can go in… but take it slow."
I stepped inside, quiet.
She was sitting up, the sun slipping through the blinds and making her hair glow golden.
She turned to look at me, and her eyes…
Empty.
No spark.
No recognition.
Just politeness.
"Um… hi," she said with a small smile. "Do I know you?"
I froze.
It felt like someone sucked the oxygen out of my lungs.
"Ava… it's me. Damien."
My voice cracked on her name.
She tilted her head, confused. "Are you from my school?"
Her tone was light, friendly — like I was just another face in the hallway.
I wanted to scream.
I wanted to fall to my knees.
But instead, I just nodded. "Yeah. From school."
Her smile faltered. "They said I forgot some stuff… months, maybe. I'm really sorry if we were… close."
Close?
God.
She had no idea how close we were.
I nodded again and turned to leave, eyes stinging.
Outside, I ran into him.
Rylan.
"Hey, how is she?" he asked with fake concern.
"She doesn't remember me," I said stiffly.
His eyes flickered — and I swear I saw a hint of satisfaction.
"Oh… that's tough, man," he said. "But maybe it's a chance for a fresh start. For all of us."
He walked in without waiting for my permission.
I leaned against the wall, fists clenched.
No.
I wasn't going to lose her.
---
Rylan's POV
Ava looked up as I walked in.
And for the first time… she didn't stiffen, or back away.
She smiled.
"Hi. Are you from school too?"
I grinned. "Yeah. Rylan. I sat near you in… a few classes."
That wasn't even a lie.
Just not the full truth.
I took a seat beside her.
"You doing okay?" I asked.
She nodded. "It's weird. Like waking up and half your life is foggy."
I reached out and gently touched her wrist. "Well… maybe it's the universe's way of giving you a clean slate. Sometimes forgetting can help us start better."
She smiled at that.
And for the first time, I saw a crack — an opening.
Not to trick her.
But to
finally be the guy who was there.
While Damien stood outside with nothing but his regrets.
---