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It was Monday today. The storm from saturday night was shifted to somewhere else. I couldn't sleep because of it all night. Though Ethan returned my ring but with this where we go from here. Were we good?

Dad wasn't home as usual on Saturday so I got save by that. He was pretty entangled with his chemicals and equations now a days that he just called this morning that he might be staying there for next three days.

I took a long warm shower and changed my bandage this morning, replaced it with a small band-aid and secured it on my wound.

I entered the Arena where everyone was getting ready and the surrounding was coated with deep colors of muffled cheerful chattering. Beside our team and coach some middle age people were there also, immersed in their talk with each other.

Ethan was here too but he was standing alone and I felt a pang like needle in my heart.

His eyes caught mine for a mere moment before he looked away.

The stigma he had for me was long gone in his aquamarine eyes.

Gwen and Nate both turned towards me with a honey smile but when they noticed my band-aid, the concern washed over them.

"Oh my God Aria! What happened? You okay?" Her arms wrapped around me as she scooped me in her arms. "Tell me who did it, was it Ester? I'm gonna break her nose. That bitch!."

"I'm fine guys, just got slip down the stairs," I lied to them before looked over to Ethan who was staring back at me.

His blue-gray orbs had a mist of ocean in them. I didn't know If I should go and slap him hard or just engulf him. This was how we were.

From outside he looked completely fine likewise how I was good at pretending not only but also him not meeting my eyes scratched my scars.

I bit my lips to keep myself together from losing in front of everyone.

"Does it hurt?" Gwen's voice came out with a hint of disquietude. If I didn't stop I knew she would cry which would make me cry.

"Nope I'm fine I promise, can we practice now? I wanna play so badly," I whined as coach heard everything too so he didn't ask more question but solicitude was distinct on his face.

We all got ready and slid in the rink. Most of time Ethan skated passed me like he was looking for a chance to say something but he didn't get.

According to coach we all were already acing not to mention we'd been playing for so long But cause Nate was the goal keeper, we stroke some shots for him.

Nothing was final yet until we got our final player. Coach was still looking for one more player. I hope he'd get soon.

Beth was an excellent player. Just the thought how unexpectedly we lost her made my heart shrink.

After a whole thirty minutes we got out of the rink, perspiring. Even we were ice skating and this arena was chill, we were still sweating and hyperventilating badly.

"I'm going home today, mom arranged dinner with Leo's family, so we'll talk later sunshine. Take care bye," She kissed on my cheek before bounced out of the gate.

Cute.

"You shouldn't have come if it was hurting. You're so clumsy," He flickered his finger slightly on my head as in a tease."Want me to drop you?", he offered as he tied his shoe laces and slung his bag on his shoulder.

Nate had this caring family vibe. Inside out he was one personality. He had been such a support to his family. I've met his mom and just one look at her gave my heart complete satisfaction. He was a pure reflection of like her.

She raised him so well.

I shook my head and pat his shoulder sideways before swayed my hand in a way telling him to go without me. My breathing was still fast.

I didn't have any plans today beside going to cafe which I'd be going late.

With that he nodded, patted my head and left too. Now It was me and Ethan who was drinking his water, sitting on his bench. I took out my skates and rubbed my feet one by one before wore my sneakers.

I looked over to Ethan and he was like biting his lips, his body turned towards me.

I sighed before stood up and grabbed my bag from the bench. I was in no mood to talk to him. But his voice stopped me.

"Aria," He called softly.

Like someone snatched my breathe cause just this one call my heart pranced.

"I-I wanted to say something please," He jogged over to me, fully drenched in sweat. His hair stick to his forehead. His grey shirt putting a show to his abs.

"I don't have anything you want to take away from me anymore Ethan," My statement sparked some perception in his eyes.

"I know what I did what pretty worse I could've ever done...to you, but I-I'm sorry Aria. I'm really sorry. It was all misunderstanding. Ester said-

"Misunderstandings are becoming common between us, ain't they?, and the fact that you believed Ester, glad to know," I flouted but cut him off again.

"I was incensed at you Ethan. I couldn't sleep all night because of you," The beads of chagrined formed on his forehead.

"But then I realize I was never angry at you, I was at myself still am. I'm hating fate which is not helping at all. So yeah If you're thinking I'm holding grudge. I'm not," My phone buzzed in my hand as a message popped up.

-You can come today, She's awake and in a good mood.- Nurse Julia.

My eyes popped up with hope but I didn't miss Ethan's pleading eyes.

I could sense how everything was beyond his mind.

He wasn't at fault. Not mine nor his. What he did was a pretty dick move but I thought a lot that night and I thought of it like mom would want me which concluded that he wasn't at fault.

Our situations were stringing us along.

I didn't want to discuss to him about anything. But only I knew what it felt like to not given the chance to explain yourself. So I wanted to hear why he did what he did.

"But I'm happy you found yourself back. I can see it in your eyes. I can see you. Don't worry too much," I said to him.

"And Thanks for taking me to the hospital though, you aren't heartless at least," Smiling softly, I said before took out his coat from my bag and returned him which I had dry cleaned.

"You can keep it," He backed away.

"But what happened to your head? as far as I know I didn't touch you at all," He asked with his eyes were drowned in concern.

"Your stumblina stumbled I guess, walked over the path full of unfortunate stones," I shrugged and chuckled before sobered up.

We both have been through some devastating past that seeing this placidity in each others gleaming eyes scooped me in it's warmth.

We both kept our eyes concealed with galaxy. I realized I had to leave now for the hospital. I didn't know If I'd have my answers today. If she'd speak. It has been almost a year. I wished this November brought me what I'd been wanting for so long.

"I have to go now Ethan, Take care," He sighed heavily. I didn't think he had anything else to say.

"By the way has someone ever gifted you trampoline?" I stopped mid way before turned around and questioned him amusingly.

He had this 'what' look on his face before he shook his head with perplexed lines spread on his forehead.

"You do know you love to jump to conclusions so fast," I smiled softly

on which he looked guilty. I didn't taunt him, it was just a way to tell him what the problem was actually.

This pool of misunderstandings we're drowning in was forming ice over it, and I had to break it before it started to suffocate me.

I turned back where he kept standing, watched me leaving but I didn't miss a small wave of his hand.

°°°°°°

Taking a deep breathe in I stood in front of the hospital. All the time I was on the bus, my mind was circulating around what might happen. If I got succeed in taking the answers. Things will change completely.

And I meant it.

I tighten my grip on my bag's strip and stepped in. The omnipresent smell of medicine hit my nose instantly. The doctors and nurses were walking around effortlessly in doing their duties to the patients.

The atmosphere in the hospitals wasn't pleasant at all. The fact that it always reminded me unpleasant thoughts. I looked around as I caught Nurse Julia on the reception. She was in her curb. Her dirty blonde hair were tied perfectly in a low ponytail.

She was a young lady in her thirties, have two kids. All this time I'd been coming here, we got to know each other pretty well. She was helping me with everything so much.

I made my way to her but he noticed me on my way half way through. She walked passed me and pointed with her head so stepped in with her as we entered the lift.

"How are you Aria?, It's been long, we last met a month ago I guess," She stated pretty calmly. There was no wrinkles on her face. She was such a fun person to talk to.

"I'm good, I guess everything's fine?, did she say anything?" I questioned as the bell ding and we walked out. This floor was specific with patients who needed some extra care. Like mental illness. But this wasn't asylum.

"I didn't ask her but she said your name so I called you immediately. We're trying to help her speak and write slowly," She stopped at the front of the door, numbered with 205 on the white door and gestured me to go in.

"She's in there, you've got twenty minutes. Best of Luck," Checking her watch, she patted my shoulder.

I creaked opened the door. The room was dark but the sunlight was peaking with rays of hope, casting a shadow of her sitting body on the near wall.

I walked to her and sat beside her silently before looked over to her. Her numb body in white spotted gown, her blonde coarse hair were growing long.

Due to her head surgery they had to cut some but it didn't matter when it's about life or death.

If I'd say it hurt me the most I'd be wrong cause it had efficacious effect on everyone.

I sighed and turned towards her.

Her eyes were dull and just blinking to something I couldn't comprehend. Tears prickled in my eyes as I turned my head, swiped them and turned back to her.

"Hey Grace, how are you. It's been so long, right. Well I miss your vlogs. Grace_The Great has been nothing without you. It's tournament season, remember how you used to film us all," She looked at me but didn't say anything.

Please...

She got pretty bad hit on the back of her head, the same night beth passed away. Sources said she slipped down the stairs. But deep down I knew it wasn't anything like that. That night held so much more.

I scooted down in front of her and held her hands in mine. Her cold trembling ones instantly relax because of the warmth.

"Where's your phone Grace?, Your phone in which you recorded everything that happened that night," Evocative memories must've hit her head as tears of fear shimmered in her eyes.

Not just the event but whoever planned that all, I knew who it was, but I needed proof and only she could help me with it.

I stood on my knees and hug her slightly.

"It's okay sshh...you're safe now Grace. It's okay," I rubbed her back but her hand didn't embraced me back. She couldn't write or speak due to her nerve damage. But doctor said we still have hope.

I pulled back and kissed her forehead.

"I know how it's still haunting you Grace cause it's doing same to me. I was caged in darkness for this whole time. But then I stood up for who? For myself. I know our situations doesn't reflect but these creepy nightmares will go away one day. I promise," She did the only thing she could do, she blinked.

Her aura was completely opposite. She was such a happy soul. Vlogging was her passion. She used to prance in corridor and in cafeteria with her phone, a smile 24/7 tucked to her lips. She looked dead to be honest.

So much happened that night.

She was in the same hospital beth was taken to and just before she went to coma she told me that she recorded something in her phone but she couldn't where.

Not mine, John's, Ethan's or Grace's. But so many more people got effected by It. Not only we lost Beth but ourselves somewhere we couldn't reach.

"I should go, It's okay you're not alone in this. I'm with you. Okay? Take care. We'll meet soon."

with that I stood up and made my way to the door when she said something.

"Four," I halted in my steps and turned back to her in a swift.

Did she say four?

It might be just one word but it's the first thing she has said since last year. A little hope burned up inside me.

"Did you say four? Four what Grace?" My voice pleaded but she couldn't say anything more. Her mouth trembled and it showed that she wanted them to come out but couldn't.

I dropped my head in defeat.

"Excuse me miss visiting hours are over," Some other nurse said as she came in with a board in her hand.

I stood up and bowed to the lady and made my way out of the room.

After this long, she said something, which meant she's progressing. But what now?

'Four' could be anything. For the fact that I knew her cellphone was still somewhere in school cause it's been missing since the incident. But it could be anything. Four floor. Four could be the middle number or last of any rooms.

I leaned against the wall and close my eyes. A sighed left my mouth.

I was not going to give up. I promised John that I'd get justice to beth and I would no matter what.

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