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SUSAN'S POV

"Yes, honey. You know he has always been like a son to us, and your dad will never be able to refuse him." She explains.

I remain silent not knowing what to say. I have always know that Conner is like family.

A few minutes pass and my mum asks, "you haven't exactly kept in touch with him, right?" She cocks a brow.

She noticed my weirdness!" Yes we haven't been in touch, life is busy over there mum. . . Anyway, you should go and get some rest." I say efficiently changing the topic.

"You try and get some sleep too, okay?" She says as she stands up.

"Yes, I will."

I bid goodnight to my mother, but before heading back to my room, I tiptoed my way to see my father.

For a few minutes, I stand outside his door watching him sleep. A small and sad smile gracing it's way to my lips as I take one last look at my dad, who somehow looks even more fragile than before.

After coming back to my room, I lay straight on my bed, exhaustion slowly taking over my body and I feel my eyelids getting heavy.

My last thought was how weirdly good it feels to sleep in my own bed after so long, before I succumb to slumber.

—½ hour later—

I have really missed my room and living with Mum and Dad. Although I wish dad would have been better in health. It breaks my heart to see him like this. . . He is obviously too weak and I can't bear the thought of ever losing him. I hope I can convince him somehow, because the doctor has strongly advised to move him to ICU.

I sigh.

I feel beyond tired now.

My thoughts are all over the place, the decisions made in the past and their after effects has my eyes wide open.

For the past few years, I mostly had mum and dad visit me, so it's weird being home after so long. Even though deep down I knew I couldn't avoid coming back to town forever. I had not given much thought to what it would be like. . . Back when I finished high school, I had a lot of opportunities to choose from, and I thought I wouldn't like going far away from my family, but I made the decision anyway.

I take a deep breath, and release it.

Studies weren't the only reason I moved away. It had more to do with other reasons, and that's why even after completing college I didn't return home, instead I moved to make a living in New York.

I have never been very good at handling my emotions and expressing how I feel. . . I am not one of those people who can readily admit their feelings out loud. Mostly out of fear of getting hurt or embarrassed. . . I- I HATE BEING VULNERABLE!

After years, hearing my best friends name from Mum has brought back many old memories. Even though his thoughts constantly played in my mind before, I had no clue what it would be like to finally see him again.

I wasn't in touch in the last five years and it will NOT be easy coming face to face with someone I used to be best friends with. So I will try my best to avoid him for as long as I can because I am not ready to face him YET.

Ughh! I should just. . . Put my mind and I sleep before I go crazy. I close my eyes in hopes to get some sleep before dawn. Tomorrow will be a long day.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Please sit down." I say to mum.

"Okay." She says taking a seat.

"I will go talk to a doctor."

As I turn to leave, I see a familiar face standing towards the reception. But as soon as he catches my eye he halts in his step.

"How is Troy?" Conner directs his question to the both of us, but I stare back a little in shock, unable to butter a word.

Conner is the same guy my mum mentioned yesterday and who happens to be my 'best friend'. In fact, the guy I was so dreading to meet is now standing right in front of me.

"Uhh. . . Conner?." Conner's name rolls our me tongue in a whisper.

What is he doing here?

I quickly clear my throat before speaking again, "he is in ICU, we are yet to hear back from the doctors."

"But what happened?" Conner asks.

"He was complaining of chest pain in the morning, so we called the doctor." I said, explaining.

"Oh God! Abby are you okay?" He sits down next to my mum on the chair and pulls her in for a gentle hug.

"Dont worry, he will be alright and we are here for you." He said reassuringly.

"You?"

I am staring at him in confusion when my mum said that she was the one that called him here.

"Please take a seat, you have been pacing around ever since we came." Mum says to me.

I take a deep breath before sitting next to Conner. "Okay."

After a few minutes, I turn my attention towards Conner and he looks my way with a slight smile on his face.

Still awkward on what to say, I mentally contemplate on how to start a conversation.

"Thank you for coming." I say politely.

"You don't need to thank me." He replied.

"Still."

"I'm just glad you're mum informed me." He adds.

"Hmm." Was all I could say.

—An hour later—

In hushed tones, we both started making small talk while my mum was asleep on the couch.

"He is going to be ok! I know how much you are close to your dad." He says.

"Hmm."

"You haven't changed a bit." He said.

Suddenly a wave of disappointment and sadness hits me. "YOU should be the last person to say that to me." I state.

"Uh. . . I don't know what else to say, it has been a long time, no?" He says nervously.

"Hmm. . . We haven't been in touch and. . . I mean, uh, I haven't been in touch." I say.

"More like not at all," He said firmly.

"Umm, yes, I. . ." I pause.

After a few minutes of silence, he figured he won't get any answers out of me so he changed the subject.

"Anyway, when did you come back?" He asks.

"Couple of days back," I state.

"Hmm. . . And how does it feel to be back?" He inquires.

I know what he's trying to ask.

"Weird in a good way, but now," I sigh, "I am really worried for dad." I quaked.

"He will be alright," He says looking into my eyes.

"I hope he gets better soon, Conner." I say, voicing my thoughts.

"I can't stand to see him like this. . . And I'm really worried about mum too." I look down at my hands.

"Hey, we can't lose hope! I- I don't know what you're going through, but you have to stay strong for her." He points towards my mum's sleeping figure and I take a deep breath before nodding.

"I'm. . . Trying! Believe me!" How can I put this into words. " My parents are my everything Conner, I can't stand either's pain or suffering." I remarked.

"I know!," He says and gently puts his hand on mine a with a small smile plastered on his face. "You're not alone, I am here for you." He states.

"Thanks." I say giving him a small smile.

Before I could say any more, the doctor came to inform us that my father had a severe heart attack, and that the next forty-eight hours will be crucial.

—The next morning—

"Mum?"

"Yeah, honey." She answers.

"Why don't you go home?" I suggest.

"No, I went back last night. . . You should go honey." She counters.

"I'm okay. But you look exhausted, I can't have you sick too, please." I beg.

"Sweety. . ." She muttered

"No mum! Go home and get some sleep. I will call you once he wakes up, I PROMISE! Just go." I requested.

"Okay, call me as soon as he wakes up." She says getting up

"I will."