"I could never believe that Harrington can be this romantic," said Mia as we put a few things in the locker.

It was Monday but I was full of energy. The past three days were so perfect for me. 

I am Chris's girlfriend!

Yeah, he asked me yesterday when he had come to my house before we went outside. And of course, I said yes! It was like a dream for me. Despite all my problems I was feeling energized. I was feeling as if nothing can stop me, nothing can hurt me now that Chris is my boyfriend, and nothing bad can happen.

Only if I knew what was going to happen ...

"As if Chase is any different," I said sarcastically while closing my locker. "The big bad boy is like a lovesick puppy around you."

Mia giggled happily and hooked her arm with mine. "Sure he is." she chirped happily. "Now let's go and don't keep them waiting."

We took a step forward only for Mia to stop and groan. "I forgot my lunch is in my car." she whined and looked at me. "You go ahead. I will join you in a few minutes."

"Okay," I said and watched Mia run in the other direction. I shook my head with a smile and began to walk toward the cafeteria.

I only had walked for a few seconds when my phone went off. I smiled thinking it might be Chris calling me to check where I was but my smile instantly turned into a frown as I looked at the unknown number.

"Hello, this is Eleanor James." I said as I answered my phone and walked into an empty classroom on my right. 

"Miss. James, I'm calling from the hospital that your mother is admitted to," said a woman on the other side of the line and I felt my heart skip a bit. "You should come here instantly. I'm sorry to say this but your mother's condition has become critical."

All around me the world's sounds muffled. I only could hear my frantic heart, beating miles a second. I didn't even realize that I have sank to the floor on my knees. It was hard to breathe, my lungs were refusing to take the oxygen in or out. 

My worst nightmare had happened.

"Miss. James? Miss. James? Are you there? Are you fine?" the woman's yelling on the other side of the line brought me out of my trance. 

"Yes," I whispered into the phone.

"Please come here as fast as you can." said the woman. "This is urgent."

"I will." I choked and end the call, hardly standing up on my wobbly legs. I even hadn't realized I was crying.

I took a step toward the door but my legs gave away and I fell on my knees again and sobs shook my body.

No! This couldn't happen. Mom was fine yesterday when I went to see her. She was so happy when I told her about me and Chris. She looked fine. She couldn't leave us. She just couldn't.

Using a desk beside me I pushed myself off of the ground and this time forced myself to walk. I was lost. I was panicked. I was shaking so badly that I had to clutch my phone with both hands to not drop it. I was scared out of my wits.

I needed Chris.

I dashed out of the class and ran toward the cafeteria at full speed. I opened my way through the students who cursed me and yelled at me but my mind wasn't giving any attention to them. There were only two thoughts in my head.

My mom was dying. I needed to find Chris.

I ran into the cafeteria and searched franticly for the familiar face of Chris. My vision was blurry and my body was shaking so badly. And then I saw him. He was looking at me smiling, but his smile dropped almost instantly and the next second I ran toward him as he did the same.

"Eleanor, what's wrong?" he asked franticly as he took me in his arms. 

"My mom." I choked and Chris's eyes widened and I saw fear flashing in his jade eyes.

He didn't waste any time. He grabbed my hand and we began to run again, ignoring Chase's yelling after us or Mia's confused look as we passed her on our way out.

Tears were streaming down my face. I should admit I felt a bit better because of Chris's presence. At least I had someone by my side who could think properly. Because now the only thought in my mind was one thing:

My dear mom was dying!

***********************************************************************************************

Eleanor was crying silently all the way to the hospital as I broke every speed limit possible. Thanks to heavens we saw no police on our way to the hospital. 

My heart was beating in my throat. I was saying sweet reassurance to Eleanor, though I didn't know who I was trying to reassure more, me or her. I wanted to throw up. I couldn't even imagine placing myself in her shoes. I couldn't bear the news if it was my own mother.

Soon I parked my car and we dashed into the hospital, running to the reception. The lady behind the desk quickly told us to go to the ICU section. Soon we reached the room where they were keeping Eleanor's mother in.

I quickly wrapped my arms around Eleanor's trembling body as she began sobbing at the sight of her mother through the glass wall. To be honest, I wanted to cry as well. I was shaking too. 

Maggie was attached to so many tubes and machines and she was so pale and lifeless. I wanted to throw up. But I hugged Eleanor tighter and rubbed her back. She needed me at that moment more than ever. I should have stayed strong for her.

Just then the door opened a middle-aged doctor walked out. His eyes got filled with sympathy as he saw Eleanor in my arms.

"Eleanor, dear." he said and walked to us. 

"Doctor Brant," said Eleanor between her sobs. "Just tell me my mother will live. Please, I'm begging you. Help her, please."

"Eleanor, we will do everything in our power." responded the doctor. "But we need to perform the surgery right now. Another tumor has appeared behind the main one and it had put a lot of pressure on your mother's brain. We need to remove them as soon as possible. Any hour of hesitation and we can lose her."

At hearing that Eleanor began to cry harder. I hugged her to my chest tighter and glared at the doctor.

"Then what are you waiting for?" I snarled angrily. "Why is she not in the surgery room?"

The doctor gulped and glanced at Eleanor with guilt. "We can't do it until the expenses are paid." he said uneasily. "It's the hospital's rule. You need to pay for the surgery as soon as possible so we can start."

"I don't have enough money." wailed Eleanor and clutched at her chest, staring at the doctor with pleading eyes.

God, kill me!

"I'm terribly sorry, dear." said the doctor with more guilt in his eyes. "I can't do anything until the hospital gives me permission."

Fuck this world and its cruelty!

Fuck this world where people's life is dependent on the money!

I knew it was of no use to talk to the doctor about his Hippocratic oath. It was not his fault. He didn't have a charity. It was the cruel way of this world to let those who it deemed weak die.

But I was not dead yet.

 "We will pay." I gritted my teeth. "In less than an hour, we will pay. Can you tell them to at least prepare the surgery room till then?"

The doctor stared at my determined eyes for a second before sighing and glancing at Eleanor's pleading eyes. "I think I can." he said and looked at me. He put a hand on my shoulder then and stared into my eyes. "Pay as soon as possible. We don't have time."

I nodded and he walked away. I quickly grabbed Eleanor's shoulders and she looked at me. "Okay, Ella," I said. "How much have you saved?"

"Six thousand." she said with a shaky voice. The sight of her puffy, teary, and pleading eyes was enough to kill me "Chris it's not enough. What should I do?"

"Call the NGO." I said. "See if they can pay today. Don't worry Eleanor. We will find a way."

She nodded and quickly fished her phone out of her pocket with shaky hands. Her hands were shaking so bad and her eyes were blurry. She couldn't even unlock her phone.

I gently grabbed her phone and pulled it out of her hand as she began to curse herself. "It's okay, just tell me the pin." I said and unlocked the phone as she told me the phone. I scrolled through her contacts and found the NGO.

"Eleanor," I said sternly as I handed her her phone and she looked into my eyes. "Stay strong. You need to stay strong for your family. I'm here with you. We will pay for the surgery in less than an hour. That's a promise."

She gulped and her features turned firmer as she nodded for me. I nodded back and she quickly called the NGO. Deep down I knew they will not pay. But it was an arrow in the dark before I go to plan B.

I watched as Eleanor began to pace in the width of the corridor while explaining and pleading on the phone. But after 2 minutes of begging, she finally end the call and looked at me and shook her head. She sat down on a bench and covered her face with her hands.

I fished my phone out. It was time for plan B. I quickly dialed Jax's number. I was going to ask him to give me the money. I knew he would give us the money without question. But just my luck he wasn't answering his phone. I called his office, but his secretary said he was not in his office.

Fuck you, Jax!

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. On opening them, I saw Eleanor staring into the room at her mother, clutching her chest and mumbling things under her breath while crying her eyes out.

I couldn't see her suffer. I just couldn't and was ready to do anything just to see her happy again. Even if it meant stepping on my pride. I scrolled through my contacts while walking away from Eleanor a bit and find the name I wanted and pressed the dial button.

"Chris?"

Dad's firm and deep voice greeted me from another side of the line. I took a deep breath before continuing.

"Dad, I need your help." I said hurriedly. "There is an emergency. I need 9000 dollars in less than half an hour. I have 2000 in my account. I need 7 more. Can you lend it to me?"

"Chris! Where are you? Are you fine?" asked Dad. His voice was still firm and strong but I could hear worry laced with his words.

"I'm fine. It's not about me." I said running a hand through my hair. "It's about Eleanor's mother. She needs surgery and we need money for that. We have 8000 together. We only need 7000 more."

I shut my eyes tightly before continuing. "Please, dad." I begged desperately. "I will give it back to you to the last penny. I swear. I would've asked Jax, but he is not answering his damn phone. Eleanor is suffering and I can't let her go through this. We may lose her mother. I'm begging you. Just this one time."

I waited impatiently for dad to say something, anything. I waited for what seemed like hours for me before sighing bitterly. "Forget it." I said bitterly. "I shouldn't have called you in the first place. I will just sell my car and ask Chase for help. Sorry for taking your time."

"Don't you dare to end the call, Chris Harrington." said dad finally, startling me a bit from how stern he sounded. "The money will be in your account in less than five minutes. I will transfer 1000 more just in case."

He paused for a second and then continued. "Tell Eleanor that I will pray for her mother." he said with a soft tone.

I was startled, to be honest. I opened and closed my mouth like fish a few times, not being able to say anything more. I was more expecting him to scold me and say if I had worked longer just like he had told me I would have had the money now.

"Chris?" asked dad, unsure if I was still there.

"Yes, I'm here." I answered. "Thank you, dad. Really. You don't know how much it means to me. Thank you."

"Go to your girlfriend now." said dad, his voice still soft. "The money will be in your account soon."

"Thank you." I answered before ending the call and running to Eleanor. 

"Eleanor," she looked at me with a sadness that could bring the world to its knees. I grabbed her hand. "Come. We have the money. Let's go to the reception. We should fill out some forms and pay. Come."

"How?" asked Eleanor as she followed me like a lost puppy.

"My dad." I answered and immediately was stopped as Eleanor halted and pulled my hand.

"Chris, I can't." she said. "This is too much. I can't accept this."

"Do you want your mother to die then?" I asked harshly, seeing her flinch made my heart bleed. "Eleanor, you will pay me back. We will work together and will pay my father back to the last penny. It's not time to refuse help."

Eleanor bit her lip and looked around nervously for a few seconds before turning to me again and nodding. "I don't know how to thank you." she sobbed and more tears ran down her eyes.

Two hectic hours later, we were sitting in front of the surgery room's double doors. By we I mean, Eleanor and I, Liam and Daisy, Mia, Chase, and Miller. It was only after we paid for the surgery and everything was done by our side that we noticed we each had more than 100 missed calls from Miller, Chase, and Mia who were worried sick after we had left the school like that. They had all come to the hospital immediately and Miller had brought Liam and Daisy.

I looked at Eleanor beside me. Her crying had subsided and she looked so pale and lifeless now. She would close her eyes or shake her head slightly from time to time, surely to stop the spinning world.

Chase had bought sandwiches for us because none of us had eaten lunch, but Eleanor refused to eat although I begged her. She said she will certainly throw up. I was happy that she at least accepted the small box of orange juice that I bought for her.

Liam was so silent as well. The poor boy was so pale and shocked, sitting beside her sister and clutching her hand for reassurance. Miller had taken Daisy outside of the building to keep her occupied.

I sighed and tightened my hold on Eleanor's shoulder, pulling her more to my side. "Everything will be fine, angel." I whispered in her ear. It was killing me to see her like this. She looked like she was going to die herself.

 Her only response was nodding a bit before leaning her head on my shoulder and closing her eyes.

So that was how we sat there, enduring long hours of surgery. Mia and Chase left at night after we ate dinner in front of the surgery room. Miller stayed saying he won't leave until the end of the surgery. Liam also refused to leave, not letting go of Eleanor's hand. 

But I couldn't let Daisy stay there. The poor baby was so worried and pale. The amount of stress that she was going through because of being at the hospital and seeing her older siblings like that was not healthy for her.

So I took her to my home in the afternoon. She had cried and hit me with her small hands that honestly I didn't feel, begging me to let her stay. But I couldn't. So I took her home. Mom was more than eager to take care of Daisy. She was worried sick, obviously had heard the news from dad.

I never had been in such a condition, waiting long hours behind surgery doors where you would expect someone to come out any moment and tells you that your dear one had not made it. It was killing, excruciating, pure torture.

The surgery lasted so long. During the night, Miller and Liam had fallen asleep in their seats. Even I would fall asleep from time to time. But every time I was opening my eyes, I could see Eleanor swaying her body back and forth a bit while whispering prayers under her breath.

Now I knew how much it hurt to see your love suffering. It was killing me to see Eleanor like that. It was as if I could feel her pain in my heart and all I could do for her was to hold her tight and whisper sweet words in her ears, hoping to soothe her pain in vain.

I was worried that she fell sick herself. She hadn't eaten anything except that orange juice that she had drunk at noon. In fact, she had not left her seat at all. Only two times to use the restroom.

Finally, after 17 hours and at 8 in the next morning the double doors opened and a doctor walked out. Eleanor jumped to her feet instantly. Liam, Miller, and I followed suit. 

"You are relatives of Maggie Hunter?" asked the doctor eyeing us. He looked at us a bit shocked. He had every right to be. We were a bunch of teenagers with dark bags under our eyes and we all looked like shit.

"Yes, we are." answered Liam hastily and took a step toward the doctor. "How is my mom?"

The doctor smiled warmly. "She is fine." he said and we all let out a heavy sigh of relief. I stood behind Eleanor and gently squeezed her shoulders. "We removed the tumors. Everything is fine and she is stable. Still, we will keep her in ICU for 48 hours to make sure everything is fine. One of you can stay with her."

"Thank you, doctor." said Miller.

The doctor nodded at us with a tired smile and walked away. Liam was fast to throw himself at Miller and hugged him fast. He began to sob loudly from relief, pouring out the stress and the fear that he had stuck in his heart all that time only to stay strong for his sister.

"Angel." I whispered and turned Eleanor a bit toward me. 

Finally, her small body was relaxed. Even her tired face was full of relief. She looked up at me and smiled tiredly. Her eyes blinked lazily a few times. "It's over." she smiled tiredly. "She is fine."

I opened my mouth to answer her, but my heart sank as her eyes rolled back and her body went limp in my arms. "Eleanor!" I yelled as I held her tightly to my chest. "Eleanor! What happened?"

"It must be because of tiredness." said Miller and stood beside me. "Let's take her to the emergency."

I picked up Eleanor bridal style and we ran toward the emergency rooms. "Help!" I yelled as we burst into the emergency section.

"Chris!"

I looked in the direction that the voice had come and saw Emmy, the nurse who had tended to me while I was in the hospital after my accident and now Jax's date. She rushed to me. "Chris! What's wrong?" she asked.

"Please, my girlfriend just fainted." I said desperately. I was so tired and so worried for Eleanor. I had hardly kept my tears back.

"Follow me." said Emmy with a professional voice and rushed to an empty medical bed with a curtain around it. "Lay her down. What happened to her?" asked Emmy as a doctor also rushed to us.

I gently put Eleanor on the bed. 

"We were waiting for 17 hours behind the surgery room." explained Miller and I thanked him in my mind. I was too panicked. "She hadn't eaten anything since then and was under so much stress."

The doctor checked Eleanor's vitals while instructing Emmy to attach Eleanor to IV. After fucking 5 minutes the doctor looked up at us and pulled out his stethoscope from his ears. 

"Don't worry." he said. "She just fainted because of exhaustion. Her body seems weak. She has a mild fever too. I will prescribe some vitamins for her. She only needs lots of rest. You can take her home after her IV is finished."

I sighed in relief and ran a hand through my messy hair. "Thank you." I whispered. 

I stared at Eleanor's pale face. There were dark bags under her eyes and she looked smaller and slimmer than before. All of that working nonstop for so many months and the stress she went through the last day had finally knocked her out.

Overall, it was killing me to see her like that.

"Liam and I will go to check on Maggie." said Miller and put a hand on my shoulder. "You good?"

"Yes." I answered not looking away. "I will take Eleanor to my home after her IV is finished. She needs to rest."