The ride to the hospital felt endless. My palms were damp, and sweat trickled down my face. Fear consumed me. This wasn't something I could ever tell my parents—they wouldn't show up, let alone take the blame on my behalf.
When we finally got to the hospital, I rushed inside and met a nurse at the reception.
"Please, where's the student that was rushed in about an hour ago?" I asked, breathless.
She ignored me completely. My eyes stung with tears, and I was just about to break down when Aunt Grace rushed in behind me.
"Please, can you answer us?" she demanded.
The nurse finally stood up and led us down the corridor. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as she opened the door to a ward. I froze when I saw who was lying there.
"DANIEL???" My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Gracious Lord… the student Mr. James hit was Daniel? This had to be a dream.
"My dear, how are you feeling now?" Aunt Grace asked softly, walking over to him.
It was then I realized—I had been glued to the doorway all this while. Slowly, I walked toward his bed.
"Hi, Kendra," Daniel said with a weak smile.
"Don't worry, Kendra, I'm fine. It was just a minor accident," he reassured me, sitting up slightly.
I could only nod, unable to find the right words.
Later that night
I couldn't sleep a wink. Something about the whole incident left me restless. I woke up even before my alarm rang, switched it off, and headed downstairs. Maybe food would help calm me.
"Good morning, Aunt Grace," I mumbled as I sat at the dining table, staring into space.
"Baby, are you okay?" she asked, sitting beside me.
"I'm fine, Aunt Grace. I just… I hope Daniel is okay. I really don't want any problems," I said sadly.
She smiled warmly. "He'll be fine, baby. He's already fine. Just a few days of rest, and he'll be walking again. He does seem like a good kid though." Then she leaned in, winking. "C'mon, tell me Kendy… who's he to you?"
"AUNT GRACE!!!" I shouted in disbelief, covering my face. Then I bolted upstairs, while her laughter echoed behind me.
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me, baby girl!" she yelled after me.
I got ready for school in record time and ran off, but all through the day, school felt different. I couldn't concentrate. Daniel was on my mind the entire time, and it was strange, even to me.
When the closing bell rang, I was the first student out the gate. Just as Mr. James drove in, I hopped into the car.
"Take me to the hospital," I said quickly.
But then came the heartbreak.
"Ma… Daniel left the hospital last night," Mr. James said quietly.
"WHAT??? And nobody told me?" I fumed.
But before my anger boiled over, he handed me a piece of paper. "Here—his number."
I snatched it, saved it quickly, and dialed. He picked up on the second ring.
"Hello, Daniel. How are you doing? You left the hospital yesterday without informing me! Do you know how worried I was?" I blurted out in one breath.
"Heyyy, slow down," he laughed gently. "I'm sorry, Kendy. I didn't mean to leave like that. I just… didn't want my parents to suspect anything. I don't want them worried. I'm really sorry."
Touched, I sighed. "Lucky you. You have your parents by your side."
He chuckled softly on the other end.
"What's funny?" I asked, a bit irritated.
"Kendra… parents should get worried about their kids. That's normal. I don't see what's lucky about it. I'm sure your parents care too."
I bit my tongue before I said anything I'd regret. "Okay, fine. So where are you now?"
"At home. Doing nothing in particular. How about we hang out this evening? If you don't mind," he asked.
My heart skipped. "Errm… I'll let you know when I get home. How about 5 p.m.?"
"Perfect. See you then, Kendy," he said, then hung up.
I gasped. Did I just agree to a date? At 5? WOW. I was super excited—I couldn't even deny it.
As soon as I got home, I rushed to take my bath. Then I began tearing through my wardrobe, throwing clothes everywhere. That was when Aunt Grace walked in.
"What's going on here?" she asked, eyes wide as she looked at the mess.
"Well… Aunt Grace, I have an outing with a friend this evening, and I don't know what to wear," I said nervously, tossing another dress on the floor.
"A friend? Kendy, you don't have friends." Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
I tightened my towel, turned, and faced her. "He's just a friend."
"Who is he?" she pressed, arms crossed.
"Daniel," I muttered.
Her face lit up with surprise. "The same Daniel from the accident?"
I nodded, wishing I could dig a hole and disappear.
She grinned. "I knew something was up with the two of you! Don't worry—I'll pick out something nice for you to wear. You go fix your hair."
Relieved, I hugged her. "Okay, Aunt Grace. I love you!"
Thirty minutes later, I was dressed and staring at my reflection. The dress she chose was perfect: a body-hugging, pink floral gown that stopped just above my knees with puffed sleeves. Paired with simple white sandals, I couldn't stop admiring myself in the mirror.
"Kendy, he's here," Aunt Grace called.
I rushed downstairs.
"Wow… you look beautiful," Daniel said, his gaze fixed on me.
"And you don't look bad either," I replied, staring right back.
"Guys, you're running late," Aunt Grace cut in, snapping us out of our little world.
"Oh—bye, Aunt Grace," I said.
"Bye, baby. And Daniel…" She turned to him with a serious look. "I need her back by 8. Nothing more."
"Yes, ma'am," Daniel replied quickly.
We stepped out together, and my heart was racing.