Glass Hearts [BL]
Chapter 74: Where It Hurts and Heals

Chapter 74: Where It Hurts and Heals

Someone was shaking my shoulder.

"Ash," a voice said gently, then a second louder one followed. "Dude, wake up."

My eyes opened to the blurry sight of Marcus crouched beside the bed, his curly hair flattened on one side like he slept on it all night. June stood behind him with a bag in one hand and a skeptical look in the other.

"Hey, sleepyhead," June said. "You look like you didn’t sleep all night."

I blinked slowly, the light from the window stabbing straight into my skull. My back ached from sleeping in the hospital chair, and my shirt was wrinkled.

"Hey Juney. Hey Marcus," I muttered, sitting up, and forcing a smile.

"Bro... you look rough. Where were you last night?"

IMy mouth was dry. "Nowhere. Just.....walked around a bit. Cleared my head."

June raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? You sure it wasn’t somewhere with fire and bruises?"

Her eyes dropped to my hand before I could tuck my hand beneath the blanket. The pore had already started to form on my hand.

"What happened?" she asked. "Ash... that’s not a scratch. That’s a burn."

I shrugged too fast. "It’s nothing. Just a little... accident. The toaster at home sparked weird yesterday. I tried to fix it."

She didn’t look convinced. Her eyes flickered over the rest of me, like she was checking for other signs of damage. "That doesn’t look like a toaster spark."

"Well, I didn’t say I was good at fixing it," I replied, forcing a smile.

"Ash." Her voice dropped.

"It’s fine, June," Marcus tapped her shoulder. "He’ll treat it."

"He should," she said, folding her arms. "It could get infected. Or worse. What if that thing blisters?"

"It already did. But it’s healing," I lied, standing up from the chair. "See? Doesn’t even hurt."

June didn’t buy it. Her stared at me like she was trying to see what else I was hiding. Which, in my case, was pretty much everything.

"Just... promise me you’ll actually take care of yourself," she said. "We can’t all afford to break at the same time."

"I’ll be fine," I told her. "Promise."

She didn’t say anything after. Just gave me that look that said I know you’re lying. Butokay. I’ll let you lie for now.

I stood up too quickly. "So..... I’m gonna go wash up."

"By the way, I brought breakfast," she said softly. "It’s still warm. I’ll go get Alia."

I nodded, already backing toward the restroom. I shut the door behind me before I exhaled.

I splashed cold water on my face, as I gripped the sink, staring at my reflection.

I splashed more water, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Pull it together," I whispered. "Just act normal."

But the moment I closed my eyes, the serpent tattoo flashed behind my eyelids. Same pattern. Same threat.

My stomach twisted. I didn’t even have an appetite.

When I walked back into the room, Marcus was sitting by Mom’s bedside, watching TikTok.

June came in a moment later with Alia on her hip, holding a juice box like.

"Ash!" Alia squealed. "June got me apple juice and those round donut with the pink icing and sprinkles!"

"Say thank you juney," I patted her head.

"Thank you juney," she said, settling into the bed beside me and kicking off her shoes off her legs.

June handed me a breakfast sandwich. "Eat. You need energy."

"Energy for what?" I raised a brow, already suspicious.

"Guysssss," June grinned, "we’re going ice skating today."

I nearly choked on my bread. "Ice skating? Nah, I’m not leaving the hospital today."

"Why not, Ash?" Her smile dropped. "Ever since your mom got sick, you just stopped... going. You stopped doing anything."

I looked down at my sandwich, suddenly not so hungry.

"Wait," Marcus said, glancing between us. "You guys usually go ice skating?"

June nodded softly.

"Oh, you didn’t know?" Alia chimed in from the corner of the bed, as she had pink icing from the donut all over her mouth. "Ash and June met while ice skating. Before Mom even had me. They’ve told that story, like, a hundred times. I’m so tired of hearing it."

"Alia," I groaned, shaking my head with a smile. "Have some respect for legendary origin stories."

"So... why did you stop?" Marcus asked, nudging me gently.

I hesitated. "It’s nothing. I just... made a lot of memories with my parents there. It’s hard to go back. Every corner of that rink feels like them."

June’s expression softened. "Ash..."

Marcus nodded solemnly. "That makes sense."

The room went quiet.

Marcus just looked down, and Alia fiddled with the foil on her juice box.

I hated seeing that look on their faces. I hated being the reason for it.

So I forced a smile and said, "Okay, okay. Guess what, guys?"

I reached for my phone, and instinctively opened my texts. Straight to Dominic.

Nothing.

No message. Not even a stupid meme.

Ughhhh..

"What?" Marcus groaned, stretching his arms to yawn. "Blackwell sent you the email that you’re resuming school Monday?"

"Not that." I shook my head. "Whew! It’s not about school."

But then the real thing slipped out before I could allow them guess.

"Mom’s surgery is on Monday."

All their heads turned.

"They’re flying in a specialist," I continued. "For the double lung procedure. It’s... it’s happening. And I’m freaking out, I can’t stop thinking about it, okay? Like, what if it goes wrong? What if she doesn’t wake up? What if..."

I caught my breath. "I just... I can’t stop talking about it. Will she be okay? Will it be successful? What if it’s not?"

My hands were shaking, my fingers clenched tightly around the sandwich that the wrapper crinkled.

"Chill, Ash," Marcus said gently, tapping my shoulder.

But it didn’t feel like something I could chill about.

"First of all," June said, getting up from the edge of the bed. She walked over and gently wrapped her arms around me. "That’s amazing news, Ash. Really."

I didn’t move for a second. Then I let myself lean into her shoulder, just for a moment. My eyes closed. Just long enough to pretend that everything would be okay. That maybe Monday would bring something good for once.

From the bed where she was cross-legged, Alia froze mid-sip of her juice box. Her wide eyes darted to me.

"Wait... what does that mean, Ash?" she asked softly.

June turned, crouched beside her little form, and tucked a strand of hair behind Alia’s ear.

"It means," she said slowly, carefully, like she wanted Alia to absorb every word, "your mom’s going to wake up. She’s going to open her eyes. She’s going to see you again."

Alia turned to me.

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah. We’re all going home soon."

There was a long pause.

Alia jumped from the bed,"I can’t wait to see mom. We’re going home!" She smiled.

But it didn’t last.

Her grin trembled, and her eyes began to glisten. She looked down at her lap, fiddling with her fingers. "I... I should start making goodbye cards for the nurses and the kids in the hospital."

She sniffled. "I’m going to miss everyone. Even Henry."

I tried not to choke up. That was so like her. The first thing she thought about was saying goodbye.

And then.....perfect timing.

The door creaked open.

Mrs. Jennings stepped in, holding a folded blanket and humming to herself like she always did.

Her eyes landed on the group of us....me on the bed, June kneeling on the floor, Marcus scrolling through his phone, and Alia with her teary eyes and shaky smile.

"Granny!" Alia suddenly shouted, jumping to her feet and dashing across the room.

Mrs. Jennings almost dropped the blanket. "Good morning, sweetheart!"

Alia launched into her arms, hugging her tight.

"Guess what? Ash said Mommy’s going to wake up soon! And we’re going home soon!"

Mrs. Jennings looked at me surprised, like she needed to double check she’d heard that right. I gave her a tiny nod.

Her eyes softened, and her lips curved into a gentle smile. "Well now... that is the best thing ever."

And suddenly, the whole room lit up. Marcus grinned. June let out a watery laugh. Even I couldn’t stop the crooked smile tugging at my lips.

I was still smiling at Alia’s excitement when my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down.

Dom.

Heyy. Good morning. Sleep well? Sorry bout yesterday. Nari can be dramatic.😅

A small smile curved on my lips. The room around me blurred for a moment. It was just me and that text.

I typed back quickly.

Good morning, Dom. How are you feeling now? How’s the fever?

He replied almost instantly.

I’m better😌. Wanna hang out today?

I hesitated.

My eyes flicked up as I tapped on his profile picture. His story loaded.

It was a shot of him jogging with his friends from the Glass Circle. They looked all sweaty and hot. Dom’s hair was damp and pushed back, the sunlight catching the edge of his cheekbone.

He looked healthy and energetic.

Too energetic for someone who had been "too sick" to talk yesterday.

Something in my chest tensed.

I blinked down at his message and typed a reply.

Ohh... I’m busy today. Hanging out with June and Marcus :)

No emoji. No softness.

I dropped the phone to my lap and looked over at June and Marcus.

"So..." I began, tapping my fingers on my thigh. "How about we go to the ice skating rink today?"

Marcus glanced up, surprised.

June blinked. "Really? Are you sure? I hope you’re not just saying that because of me..."

"I need something to take my mind off things," I said, forcing a smile. "With the surgery coming up... Might as well freeze my nerves on the ice."

She stared at me for a moment. "You know you don’t have to push yourself...."

"I want to go," I said firmly. "So... should we leave now?"

"Yes!" June beamed, grabbing her coat. "Before you change your mind again."

I turned to Alia, who was coloring something with markers on her notepad.

"Alia, you coming with us or...?"

She looked up and shook her head seriously. "Nope. I’m staying in the hospital. I need to make my goodbye cards. I’m also waiting for Henry....he’s coming over today and promised he’d show me a magic trick."

I chuckled. "Alright. Let’s drop you off in the children’s section, then."