“And yet,” she admitted.
There was movement in the hallway outside my door, followed by voices.Familiar ones.
The door opened without a knock.
“Don’t panic,” Alice said immediately, holding her hands up like Mom might throw something at her.“We come bearing gifts.”
Karmen followed her in with her arms loaded with a paper bag and what looked like a folded blanket.“And snacks.”
“Hospital-approved snacks?”my mom asked, narrowing her eyes.
Alice grinned.“Define approved.”
I cracked my other eye open and smiled weakly.“If there’s chocolate in that bag, I will forgive everything.”
“There is absolutely chocolate in this bag,” Karmen said proudly.“And also socks.The fuzzy kind.With little coffee cups on them.”
My mom sighed.“You people are impossible.”
“And yet you love us,” Alice said, already moving to set things down quietly.
Behind them, Clove slipped into the room like she didn’t want to be noticed.She wore leggings and a sweater two sizes too big, her dark hair braided over one shoulder.She smiled at me softly, eyes warm.
“Hey,” she said.“How are you feeling?”
“Like I could sleep for another week,” I admitted.“But better.”
“That’s good,” she said, genuinely.
She moved closer and picked up the cake.“You haven’t touched it?”
I snorted softly.“I’ve been unconscious.”
“Yes,” she agreed calmly.“But still, chocolate cake.”
I laughed and immediately regretted it.My head pulsed in protest.
“Okay,” Alice said, pointing a finger at me.“No laughing.Doctor’s orders.”
“I don’t think that’s a real thing,” I muttered.
“It is now.”
More footsteps approached, heavier this time.The door opened again.
Ender stood there.
He didn’t say anything at first.Just leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, dark hair falling into his eyes.He looked uncomfortable.Not in aI don’t want to be hereway, but in aI don’t know where to put myselfway.
The room was getting crowded.Loud.Busy.
And I realized something then, as I lay there watching all these people exist around me.
They were all talkingaroundme.
Not intentionally.Not meanly.Just… naturally.Decisions were being made.Plans discussed.Rotations scheduled.
I cleared my throat.
