Chapter 24: An Accident

The café was quiet. Soft music played in the background. Evans sat by the window, his hands wrapped around a warm cup of cocoa. He looked out the glass and watched people walk past.

Megan arrived a few minutes later, her steps hesitant. She wore a pale pink hoodie and jeans, her face looking tired but hopeful.

She stopped in front of his table then with an unconfident smile that made Evans uncomfortable as he had never seen this kind of attitude from Megan, “Hey,” she said softly then slid into the seat across from him.

He pursed his lips then slowly answered “Hey,” Evans replied, voice low.

Silence fell between them for a while, something that had never happened. They had been so closed. Megan stirred her drink without drinking it. Evans looked down at his cup coldly then finally she spoke.

She sighed, “I’m really sorry, Evans,” she said, eyes shiny. “I didn’t mean the things I said. I was angry. So angry that you gave yourself to someone who didn’t love you.”

Evans was a bit surprised but he  didn’t respond right away.

Seeing him not responding to her “I know Nathan means a lot to you,” she continued, “but I just… I didn’t want to see you get hurt, you know—I was scared for you. And maybe… maybe I was jealous too.”

Evans slowly looked up, his eyes were soft but also cold and determined. Its was not like he didn't understand his best friend but her words had hurt him badly.

He lean black on the chair, “You called me a slut, Megan,” he said quietly. “You said I threw myself at him.”

“I know,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I regret it. I hate myself for it,  I just— I thought I was losing you. You were always there for me, and suddenly it felt like you were drifting away and I didn't recognize you anymore. It felt like Nathan was changing you to someone unfamiliar, it just felt strange.”

Evans gave a sad smile. “I’ve been in love with Nathan for years. Even before I knew what love really meant. I tried to forget him, I even told myself to stop caring, But I couldn’t! Every time I saw him… my heart beat faster and hurt too.”

Megan’s eyes filled with tears.

“But,” Evans continued, “being with him, even if it's painful, even if it’s wrong, even if it's crazy, it makes me feel like I’m finally standing in the light instead of hiding in someone’s shadow. Even if I know I am living in lies all day, I just want to feel what it's like to be with him.”

Evans laughed quietly. “I know it’s selfish. I know he might never love me the same way, But I chose this path. And I need to taste the sweetness and the bitterness of it, and maybe—Just maybe, it might come out the way I want.”

Megan looked at him and really wanted to ask him, “What about me? Have you ever cared for my feelings?!” but she couldn't.

Megan wiped her tears. “I was wrong to judge you. You deserve to love who you want. And… I’ll support you, no matter what.” she said even if this was a lie. She couldn't support him, she just can't! But anything to get him

Back, even if it's lying.

Evans reached out and placed his hand over hers.

“Thank you, Meg.”

They both stood up then She opened her arms, and they hugged tightly. Evans closed his eyes and his heart lighter, he had been thinking about it for long and really missed his best friend.

Some minutes later, They stepped out of the café and walked side by side, the air cool and fresh. Evans laughed at something Megan said and turned to look at her, then all of sudden a motorcycle suddenly appeared out of nowhere, speeding right toward them.

“VROOOOM!”

Without thinking, Megan pushed Evans to the side—hard.

Evans' eyes widened in shock “Megan!” Evans gasped.

“CRASH!”

The motorcycle hit Megan and sped away without stopping.

Evans' body trembled,  “Megan!” Evans screamed, crawling over to her. She lay on the ground, groaning in pain.

People rushed over. Evans was shaking,  His hands hovered in the air, unsure where to touch. Blood dripped from Megan’s leg.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry,” Evans cried. He didn't know what he was sorry for but he just kept on apologizing, “Please stay awake. Don’t close your eyes!”

Evans sat on the bench outside the emergency room, his hands trembling. His shirt was stained with Megan’s blood. He stared at the ground, body cold with fear.

“If I had forgiven her sooner… maybe this wouldn’t have happened,” he whispered. “I failed her.”

A voice shouted nearby and when he looked up he saw that Megan’s parents arrived, running through the hall. Her mother saw Evans and rushed to him.

“What did you do to my daughter?!” she screamed. “You were supposed to protect her! If anything happens to her, it’s your fault!”

Evans didn’t speak. He lowered his head, letting their words stab him. He believed it too.

A warm pair of arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind which shocked Evans, he gasped and looked back but when he saw the person who was supposed to be In the office here, he was more than surprised,

“Nathan…?”

Nathan held him tight, his face tense with worry. “You’re okay… Thank God.”

Evans shook his head “H-how did you know I was here?” Evans whispered.

Nathan pulled out his phone. “I saw a post on your university website. It said a student was hit by a bike outside the café. I saw your name mentioned… then I came straight here.”

Evans didn’t say anything. He just buried his face in Nathan’s chest and anyone who saw this scene just felt that a young man was terrified and was being consoled by his older brother.

Behind the emergency doors, Megan lay on a hospital bed with her leg wrapped.

The doctor examined her calmly. “You’re lucky. No broken bones. Just a deep bruise and some swelling. You’ll be fine in a week or two.” The doctor said calmly.

Megan looked at him, then bit her lip and hesitated,

“Can you… put it in a cast?” She asked.

The doctor blinked. “But you don’t need one—”

“I know,” she interrupted quickly. “But just for a while. Please. It’ll help me feel safer. Just make it look exaggerated!”

The doctor, though confused, hesitated at first and finally nodded. “If that’s what you want.”

Later, alone in the room, Megan looked down at her leg in the cast. A slow smile then spread across her face. Her eyes gleamed strangely.

“Now he won’t be angry anymore,” she whispered. “He’ll feel grateful… He’ll always remember that I saved his life.”

She giggled softly, eyes wide.

“This way… he’ll stay with me.”