Chapter 12 THE RESCUE
Anya coughed violently.
Water poured out of her mouth as her body convulsed, her chest burning like it was on fire. Her lashes fluttered open, but everything was blurred, spinning lights and shadowed faces melting into one.
Hands pressed against her back.
A voice, distant and urgent.
"Easy. Breathe"
She tried to focus.
Tried to see.
A figure hovered over her, tall, soaked, face hidden by the haze in her head.
Her vision darkened again.
And then she slipped back into nothingness.
•••
The next time Anya woke up, the air smelled like antiseptic.
Her eyes opened slowly, blinking against the harsh white light above her.
She was in the school’s clinic again.
Her throat was dry and her chest ached with every breath.
"You’re finally awake!"
The voice came from beside her.
Anya turned her head weakly and froze.
A guy sat on the chair next to the bed, leaning forward with concern etched across his face. Dark hair, sharp features, familiar eyes.
She stared at him, her brows knitting together as memory stirred.
She had seen him before.
Anya swallowed. "You…"
She searched her mind, fragments slipping into place.
The camera guy.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"It’s you" she whispered hoarsely.
He smiled, relieved. "Looks like you remember"
She frowned. "Your face… I never got your name"
He chuckled softly. "Guess we’re even. I didn’t get yours either"
She hesitated, then whispered, "Anya"
"Nice to officially meet you, Anya," he said gently. "I’m glad you’re okay"
And then she remembered Liana jumped into the water.
Her heart raced. She pushed herself up slightly, panic flooding her eyes.
"Liana," she breathed. "Is she—"
"She’s fine," he said quickly. "She swallowed some water, but she’s stable. She’s resting"
Relief crashed over Anya so hard it made her dizzy.
"You saved me?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," he replied without hesitation. "I’m sorry that happened to you. Those girls are cruel"
Anya looked away, staring at her trembling hands. "I don’t even know what I did to them. Have they been punished?"
He laughed and that confused Anya.
"No. Nobody cares actually. In this school, you’re on your own"
Anya snapped her head toward him, her anger flaring.
"That’s simply bullshit! That was attempted murder. I could have died!"
His expression became serious.
"Katya’s father is one of the richest men in the country," he said calmly. "The school won’t touch her"
Anya stiffened. "What?"
He exhaled softly, leaning back in his chair.
"She was punished, if you can call it that," he continued. "Her father froze her accounts"
Anya’s brows furrowed deeper.
"If she’s from a rich family," she asked slowly, "why is she staying in a four-man room with me and not in a two-man room like Liana?"
He gave a short, humorless smile.
"Her father wanted to humble her. Katya is rude, proud, and used to getting everything she wants. He thought stripping her of comfort would teach her a lesson"
Anya scoffed quietly. "Looks like it only made her worse"
"That’s usually how it goes" he replied.
She studied his face for a moment, something nagging at her.
"How come you know all these things?" she asked carefully.
There was a brief pause.
Then he sighed.
"Actually…" he began, rubbing the back of his neck, "…we once dated"
Anya blinked.
"Oh"
The word slipped out before she could stop it.
Silence stretched between them, thick and awkward.
"Why did you break up then?" she asked gently.
His jaw tightened just a little.
"She cheated" he said simply.
"Oh… I’m so sorry about that" she murmured sincerely.
He shrugged, forcing a small smile. "It’s in the past"
She nodded, then hesitated, realizing something.
"You haven’t told me your name yet"
He smiled a little wider, finally giving in.
"Ivan. My name is Ivan"
Anya repeated it softly, like she was testing how it sounded.
"Ivan"
Before either of them could say anything else, the clinic door swung open.
"ANYA!"
Liana rushed in, her hair messy like she had run the entire way. The moment she saw Anya sitting up, alive, breathing, she froze.
Then she burst into tears.
"Oh my God, thank goodness you’re fine," Liana cried, rushing forward. "I would never have forgiven myself if anything had happened to you. I regret forcing you out to that stupid party so much"
Anya barely had time to react before Liana wrapped her in a tight hug, careful of her chest.
"I swear they will pay for this," Liana continued angrily. "Especially Katya. I don’t care who her father is"
Then Liana suddenly pulled back and turned to Ivan.
Her eyes softened with gratitude.
"And you, special thanks to you for saving me and my friend. We would have probably died if you didn’t step in"
Ivan shook his head lightly.
"It’s nothing," he replied calmly. "I just did what anyone should do"
He glanced at Anya one last time, his gaze lingering for half a second longer than necessary.
"I have to go now. See you later, Anya"
Before she could respond, he turned and walked out of the clinic.
Anya watched the door long after it closed.
Liana hugged her again, tighter this time.
"I’m glad you’re okay" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Anya closed her eyes and leaned into her friend.