Leslie walked into class with her books in her hands and her head held up high like she owned the whole place. She sat down, ready for the day's lecture, but her mood was ruined almost immediately by a group of girls.
"You're on my seat, new girl," one of them said, rolling her eyes so hard they almost fell out. Leslie looked around for another chair and finally spotted one. She got up quietly and went to sit there. But the girl—Tracy—came up to her again.
"Oops, that wasn't my seat. This one is," she said grinning like she owned the school. Leslie picked up her books again and moved to the next seat, but Tracy and her crew clearly weren't ready to let her breathe. Tracy walked up to her new seat.
"Stand up," she demanded. Leslie looked at her, gave a small smile, and kept quiet.
"Did I stutter? Or are you deaf?" Tracy snapped.
"Oh, sorry princess… I didn't see your name written on this chair," Leslie said, still smiling like she had all the time in the world.
"Oooh, we've got ourselves a rebel," Tracy hissed. "Come see, Ethan, the new girl is growing wings."
"Are you done with today's lecture already? Thank God because it was boring," Leslie replied, now crossing her legs on the chair. The whole class went silent. No one ever dared talk to Tracy like that. Her father was a big businessman with enough money to shake the whole school if he wanted.
"How dare you talk to me like that? Do you know who my father is?" Tracy asked, voice shaking with anger.
"No… didn't your mother tell you?" Leslie replied. The entire class burst into laughter. Tracy couldn't handle it anymore—humiliated, she stormed out of the class. Leslie's face lit up with a smile… then a small proud grin.
* * * * * *
Ava, Dawn, and Daphne were waiting and panicking at the same time. Nobody said anything to anyone. They just stood there praying Adam would be fine. The doctor finally arrived and they rushed toward him.
"How is he?" Ava asked quickly.
"He's fine, but you made his condition worse. He was pushing himself too hard trying to remember things," the doctor said and walked away. Ava didn't even blink—she rushed straight to Adam's room.
Adam was already awake, sitting up. Ava wrapped her arms around him immediately, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Hey… why are you crying?" Adam asked, confused.
"I'm sorry, Adam. All this is my fault, please forgive me," she said, still crying.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Ava. I just had a headache, that's all," Adam said gently.
"I shouldn't have pushed you away, or gotten mad at you. I'm sorry," she sniffed.
"You already apologized, and I told you I'm not angry," Adam replied. "I'm sorry too if I stressed you."
Ava hugged him again. That was when Daphne and Dawn walked in. Ava saw Dawn and immediately stood up, whispering sharply:
"You need to leave."
"I came to see my husband, Ava," Dawn whispered back, shaking.
"Husband? What husband? A husband who doesn't even remember you?" Ava hissed. "You're hurting him, Dawn. You need to leave him and move on."
"What? Move on? I can't live without Adam," Dawn said, stunned.
"Showing up here or at the house is making his condition worse. Do you even care about him at all?" Ava asked.
"Of course I do," Dawn whispered. "More than you know."
"Then let him go. He needs space," Ava ended, walking back to sit beside Adam, leaving Dawn standing there, confused and already tearing up.
Dawn looked at Adam. He was smiling. Happy. He remembered Ava. Not her. She didn't want to ruin that moment for him. If this was what made him happy… then fine.
She quietly opened the door and walked out of the hospital without saying goodbye.
* * * * * *
She reached home and found Amy cooking lunch. Amy turned.
"Mom, are you okay? Did you go to Adam's again?" she asked, but Dawn didn't answer. She just broke down crying. Amy wiped her hands on her apron and rushed to hug her.
"It's okay, mom. Adam will remember soon," she whispered, even though she wasn't so sure.
"He's happy… and that's all that matters," Dawn said weakly.
"I'm making spaghetti and meatballs… do you want some?" Amy asked.
"I'm not hungry," Dawn murmured, lying on the couch. Amy looked helpless until Alex walked in.
"Auntie, thank God you're here. Mom is moody… again," Amy said, heading back to the kitchen. Alex sat beside Dawn.
"I know it's about Adam. I know nothing I say will fix it, but please don't do this to yourself," Alex begged.
"Adam was happy, Alex… he didn't even remember my name," Dawn whispered, crying again.
"That's how his brain works right now. It's not his fault, and it's not yours," Alex said softly.
"Ava's right… I should move on," Dawn whispered, getting up and heading to her room. Alex and Amy exchanged worried looks.
* * * * * *
Back at the Manchester's house, Adam had been discharged. Ava took it upon herself to take care of him, trying her best to forget her fears. Daphne was in the kitchen making lunch.
Adam sat on the couch with Ava, watching TV, when suddenly he clutched his head hard. Ava panicked immediately. Daphne rushed in.
"Adam? Adam! What is it?" Ava asked, shaking.
"Talk to us, son. What happened?" Daphne asked.
"Nothing… I'm fine," Adam said breathlessly. He scanned the room slowly. "Where's… everyone?"
"Everyone? We're right here," Ava said, confused.
"Where's Dawn?" Adam asked.
Daphne and Ava froze. Daphne's eyes lit up. She hugged Adam quickly, then rushed to grab her phone to call Dawn.
But Ava just stood there… her whole world collapsing piece by piece.