“Yeah.” Pulling back, I meet Hana’s gaze. “What if it doesn’t work? What if it makes the scars worse?”
“Dr. Menard’s the best. I’m sure the surgery will be a success,” Hana tries to encourage me.
“I’ll still have some scarring.”
“You’ll still be my beautiful friend,” Hana says.
“Kao might not think so,” I whisper. Since Kao’s strong reaction to my injuries and the conversation we had yesterday, my self-esteem is practically non-existent.
“I’m sure Kao doesn’t think that.” Hana gets up and says, “Take deep breaths. Your dad will be here any second.”
I do my best to calm down, and when I’ve managed to regain some control over my disastrous emotions, I rise to my feet. I lift my chin, and taking a last deep breath, I leave the room with Hana at my side.
Walking into the living room, I instantly notice Kao where he’s sitting on the couch next to Noah.
The sight of him threatens to knock my feet from under me, but somehow I manage to keep my composure. I force a smile to my lips. “Hey, guys.”
Noah’s head snaps up from his laptop. “Hey. Are you going to the doctor’s appointment?”
“Yeah.”
Just then, there’s a knock at the front door. Hana goes to open for my father.
Dad steps inside, and just seeing him makes the tears threaten to fall. While Noah and Kao greet him, I hurry out of the suite, not able to keep my composure for much longer.KAONoah’s trying to keep me up to date with classes by talking through the material with me.
“Should we do the assignment?” he asks. “Then I can submit it on your behalf.”
I turn my head in Noah’s direction as a wave of thankfulness washes over me. I haven’t felt many good emotions the past week, and it makes me over-emotional.
Lifting my hand, I move it over to Noah, and once I feel his forearm, I grip him tightly. Clearing my throat, I murmur, “Thank you.” I turn to Noah and pull him into a hug. “Thank you for everything. I know I’ve been a dick, but God, I would not survive this without you.”
He wraps one arm around me. “I’ll always have your back.”
“I know.” I swallow hard. “And it means everything to me.”
We’ve just pulled apart when I hear Jade ask, “Guys, you want coffee?”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “That would be awesome.” Jade and Mila take turns checking if I want something to drink or eat. It’s fucking humbling how hard my friends are trying to make things easier for me.
I hear more movement, and then Jase asks, “Are we having lunch at the restaurant today? I think you should start getting out.”
And then there’s Jase, always pushing me. He means well, and I know I can’t hide forever. I need to find a new routine, a new way of living.
Silence follows his question, and it feels like everyone is holding their breaths as they wait for my response.
Then Jase says, “I’ll even fucking clear out the restaurant. I just don’t want you holing up in the suite.”
I let out a chuckle because Jase would turn this campus upside down for any of his friends.
“You don’t have to. But can we go either before or after the lunch rush?”
“Hell yeah!” Jase lets out, probably happy that I didn’t fight him on it.
“We can go at eleven?” Jade mentions. “Or at two? It should be quieter then.” She lets out a huff. “And I’ll freaking punch anyone who looks sideways at you.”
I let out a bark of laughter. There’s no doubt in my mind Jade would do that. She’s fierce as fuck when it comes to us.
“Let’s make it for two,” Jase says. “That way, Fallon will be back from her doctor’s appointment.”
Instantly my worry for her shoots through me like a rocket, extinguishing the calmness I just felt.
“Here’s your coffee,” Jade murmurs, and then I feel her take hold of my hand. She guides my fingers closer and waits for me to take hold of the cup.
“Got it,” I say. “Thanks.”
“How did the conversation go with Fallon?” Jase suddenly asks.
“Not as well as I hoped it would,” I admit, knowing Jase probably knows already that I practically ripped Fallon’s heart out.
Just thinking about yesterday tears my heart wide open again.
Not wanting to get into the details with Jase, I say, “We’ll get back to being friends again. Don’t worry about it.”
Noah’s been typing non-stop during the conversation, and it has me asking, “Are you doing my assignment?”
“Just the basics, then we can work on it together,” he mumbles.
Jase lets out a chuckle. “Noah, you’re unbelievable. Kao can thank his lucky stars for you.”
Smiling, I add, “For all of you. You’ve all helped a hell of a lot. I really appreciate it.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Jase says. I hear him move. “I better get my ass to class.” Then he hollers, “Hunter, let’s go!”