Ash's POV
I smiled faintly, letting myself look at the people around me….Alia's purple hair, Marcus pretending not to cry, June's laughter, mom's smile…
And I felt… grateful.
Grateful for them. Grateful for the chance to see mom again. Grateful for Dominic's help, even if he wasn't my favorite person at the moment.
Mom looked smaller in the hospital bed. But she was smiling.
Alia was sitting beside her, explaining something with dramatic hand gestures.
"…and then June literally said I looked iconic," she declared proudly.
Mom laughed softly, touching her hair again. "You do look iconic."
June sat on the other side of the bed, helping adjust Mom's pillow.
Marcus stood near the window at first, awkward as always when emotions were involved. But eventually he cleared his throat.
"I moved schools too," he said casually.
Mom blinked. "You did?"
"Yeah. Needed a fresh start." He smiled softly. "Now, I'm popular."
June snorted.
Mom smiled gently. "Are you happy?"
