I hear Lyrical sobbing uncontrollably. “L-Lilac.”
My heart leaps like a frog in my chest, and I toss my legs over the side of the bed. I furrow my brow and rub my eyes.
“Hey, Lyri—”
“W-W-Winter’s been attacked.”
Cold sweat beads on my forehead. I leap from the bed and toss on a sweater with the school logo and matching sweatpants.
“What? How?!”
“S-someone hit her head with an object. K-Keanu found her passed out in a pool of her own blood. He rushed her to the ER.”
I rush downstairs to the foyer, and grab the car keys from the fishbowl. “I’m on my way.”
Irvin strides inside, stops, concern etched on his face. He yanks me into his arms.
“What’s wrong, my princess?”
Tears tickle down my cheeks. I remove his hands from my arms and head to the door.
“Winter was in an accident. I have to get to the hospital.”
He holds my hand. “I’ll drive you.”
My throat tightens. I tap my foot on the floorboard. Who would hurt Winter? Was it the killer? Why are they targeting people who are part of the American Billionaire Club? What if Winter dies? I yank my hair until my scalp aches.
“What happens if she doesn’t make it?” I blurt out.
Irvin squeezes my hand tight, bringing my palm to his mouth, then planting soft kisses on my wrist.
“Let’s not think about that,” he soothes.
We ride in eerie silence, the rain beating heavily on the windshield.
Once we arrive at the lobby, Keanu paces the white tiles, thrusting his fingers through his fire-truck-red hair.
I rush up to him. He turns around, wraps his arms around me, squeezing me tight. Irvin glares between us, so I step back quickly.
Keanu blinks rapidly, his lips trembling. He looks like he’s aged several years in mere moments.
Lyrical hugs me tightly next. Jameson and Snow lean against the white wall. Her parents hold each other. I’ve never met her parents, so I stride to them, introducing myself.
“We’ve heard so many wonderful things about you,” her mother says, hugging me. “It’s finally nice to meet you. I wish it were under different circumstances.”
“Did the doctor say what’s wrong?” I bite my bottom lip.
“She has a brain injury. Her brain is swelling against her skull. She’s in a coma,” Keanu sneers, punching the wall and leaving a gigantic hole.
The staff glance at him but continue their work.
“I told her not to be on campus at night. I told her not to be alone. And with the killings on campus, she needed to b—” He yanks his hair. “Fuck! I should have been there with my ice petal!”
Jameson pats Keanu on the back. “Walk with me, Keanu. You need to calm down. She’s going to be okay.”
“How do we know that? I don’t need you to feed me false hope, Jameson.”
“Walk with us, K,” Snow adds.
