Family Weekend

"Clear!" the doctor yelled, pressing the paddles to Ethan's chest. His body jerked as lightning coursed through him. Alex watched in fear from behind the emergency room curtain, tears streaming down his face.

"Please, Ethan," he whispered. "Don't leave me."

The heart monitor continued its scary flat line for three more seconds before suddenly—mercifully—it began to beep again.

"We've got him back," the doctor stated. "He's stabilizing."

Alex slumped against the wall, relief washing over him like a huge wave. The bullet had missed Ethan's heart by inches, but he'd lost so much blood. For a moment there, Alex had thought...

He couldn't even finish the thought.

"Alex?" Emily emerged beside him, her face pale with worry. "How is he?"

"Alive," Alex managed to say. "They got him back."

Emily hugged him tightly. "Thank god. And Jasmine?"

"She's okay. The FBI got all the students out safely. No one drank the water." Alex's voice hardened. "But Ms. Vickers and Professor Jenkins got away."

"And the person with Noah's face?"

Alex shook his head. "Gone too. I don't understand any of this anymore."

A doctor approached them, clipboard in hand. "Are you Ethan's friends?"

They nodded.

"He's stable now. We're prepping him for surgery to remove the bullet. It's a delicate procedure, but he's young and strong."

"Can we see him?" Alex asked.

"Just for a moment. And—" the doctor paused, "we've called his family. They're on their way."

Two days later, Alex paced the hospital waiting room, nervous about seeing Ethan again. The surgery had been successful, but Ethan had been deeply sedated. Today would be the first time they could really talk.

And according to Emily, Ethan's parents had arrived last night.

"Alex!" A familiar voice called his name.

He turned to see Jasmine hurrying toward him. She looked incredibly recovered for someone who'd been tied up in a closet just days ago.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, hugging her carefully.

"Better than Ethan," she said sadly. "Have you seen him yet?"

"Not today. I wanted to, but—"

"You're scared of meeting his parents," Jasmine finished for him.

Alex nodded. "What if they blame me? I'm the reason he was wearing that security uniform, pretending to get Professor Jenkins out of the room."

"You're also the reason all those students are safe," Jasmine reminded him. "Including me."

Before Alex could reply, the elevator doors opened, and Emily stepped out with an older couple who could only be Ethan's parents. The guy had Ethan's same blue eyes and strong jaw, while the woman shared his warm smile.

"Alex!" Emily waved him over. "This is Dr. and Mrs. Harrison, Ethan's parents. They wanted to meet you."

Alex's stomach twisted with anxiety as he neared. What had Ethan told them? Did they know about the danger he'd put their son in?

"So you're Alex," Mrs. Harrison said, taking his hand. "Ethan has told us so much about you."

"All good things, I hope," Alex said nervously.

"He says you're the reason he's passing Art History," Dr. Harrison laughed. "Apparently you've been tutoring him."

Alex blinked in confusion. Tutoring? He and Ethan had never studied together. At least not Art History.

"Right," he said slowly. "We help each other out."

"Ethan's awake now," Emily stated. "The doctor says we can see him, but only a few at a time."

"You all go ahead," Alex offered, needing time to think. "I'll wait."

Mrs. Harrison touched his arm gently. "No, dear. Ethan specifically asked for you. He was quite insistent."

Surprised, Alex followed them to Ethan's room. The Harrisons went in first, while Alex, Emily, and Jasmine waited outside.

"Tutoring?" Alex whispered to Emily. "What's going on?"

Emily looked uncomfortable. "Ethan hasn't told his parents anything about what's been happening. The FBI asked us to keep quiet until they catch everyone involved."

"So his parents think he was just... what? In the wrong place at the wrong time?"

"Something like that," Jasmine revealed. "They think it was a random campus shooting."

Before Alex could understand this, Mrs. Harrison opened the door. "He wants to see you now, Alex."

Heart racing, Alex entered the hospital room. Ethan lay propped up in bed, looking pale but awake. His parents stood by his side, smiling happily.

"Hey," Ethan said softly. "My art history tutor."

"Hey yourself," Alex responded, playing along. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been shot," Ethan joked, then cringed. "But the doctors say I'll make a full recovery."

Dr. Harrison placed a hand on his son's back. "We were just telling Ethan how lucky he is to have such good friends. Running toward danger to help others—that's true bravery."

"It runs in the family," Alex said truly.

Mrs. Harrison dabbed at her eyes. "Well, we'll give you two a moment. We need to check in with the doctor anyway."

After they left, Alex moved closer to the bed. "Art history tutor? Really?"

"I had to tell them something," Ethan said. "I couldn't exactly say we've been running from assassins for weeks."

"Fair point." Alex sat on the edge of the bed. "How much do you remember?"

"Everything up to getting shot," Ethan admitted. "I remember seeing Professor Jenkins, but... her face changed. It was Noah, but not Noah. How is that possible?"

"I don't know," Alex said. "The FBI thinks it might be some kind of mask technology. Super realistic facial prosthetics."

Ethan shook his head in disbelief. "This is insane. And now my parents are here for Family Weekend, expecting campus tours and football games."

"Wait—it's Family Weekend already?" Alex had totally lost track of time.

"Starts tomorrow," Ethan confirmed. "Mom's already talking about the parent brunch and the art exhibition."

Alex froze. "The art exhibition? My paintings are still there."

"With all those hidden images of me," Ethan said, a small smile playing at his lips. "What will my parents think?"

"That I'm obsessed with you," Alex groaned. "Which isn't exactly wrong."

Their eyes met, and something moved between them. Ethan reached for Alex's hand.

"About that," he said softly. "There's something I've been wanting to tell you—"

The door opened as Ethan's parents returned with a doctor. Alex quickly pulled his hand away.

"Good news," Dr. Harrison stated. "If everything looks good tomorrow, Ethan can be discharged in time for the Family Weekend picnic."

"That's... great," Alex said, forcing excitement.

"And we'd love for you to join us," Mrs. Harrison added. "Ethan says you don't have family coming?"

"No, my parents couldn't make it," Alex answered, which was true enough.

"Then it's settled," she said kindly. "You'll be our second son for the weekend."

Alex smiled nicely while panicking inside. A whole weekend appearing to be just Ethan's tutor and friend? With his incriminating artwork on show for everyone to see?

"I should go," he said, standing up. "Let you rest."

"Alex," Ethan called as he reached the door. "Don't forget about the toast tomorrow night."

Alex frowned. "Toast?"

"At the parent-student dinner," Ethan explained, a strange focus in his eyes. "It's important."

The next day, Alex joined the Harrison family for school tours and a football game. Ethan was in a wheelchair, still recovering but determined to join. His parents doted on him, while Alex tried to act normal despite the constant fear that killers might be watching.

As evening approached, they met in the grand hall for the parent-student dinner. The room was packed with families dressed in their best clothes, celebrating their kids' achievements.

"There you are," Emily said, entering their table with Jasmine. "How's it going?"

"Surprisingly normal," Alex admitted. "Almost like we're regular college students."

Dean Phillips took the stage, welcoming families and praising the kids. Alex barely listened, distracted by Ethan's hand occasionally brushing against his under the table.

"And now," the dean stated, "we have a special toast from one of our students."

Alex watched in shock as Ethan pushed himself to his feet, wincing with effort.

"I wasn't scheduled to speak," Ethan began, "but some things can't wait. Today I want to toast someone special—someone who saved my life in more ways than one."

The room fell silent as Ethan turned toward Alex.

"Sometimes the person we need most has been right beside us all along," Ethan continued. "Someone who sees the real us, hidden beneath the surface."

Alex's heart pounded as Ethan raised his glass. Was he really going to—

The doors at the back of the hall burst open. Several FBI agents rushed in, surrounding a woman who had just arrived.

Alex gasped. It was Professor Jenkins.

But as the agents handcuffed her, her face seemed to melt away, showing another face beneath.

Sophia.

She locked eyes with Alex across the room and smiled coldly.

"Family reunions are so touching," she called out. "Isn't that right, Alex?"

The agents tried to pull her away, but she refused, her gaze fixed on Alex.

"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" she yelled. "You're next, little brother."