The scent of antiseptic clung to the hospital corridors as Kant moved quietly, his steps echoing under dim fluorescent lights. Room numbers passed by until he reached the right one.
Room 108.
He paused at the door for a breath, then gently pushed it open.
Sylan was sitting upright in the hospital bed, clothed in a loose hospital gown, a tampon lodged in his nose, gauze wrapping his left wrist. His face was pale, but the bruises beginning to form along his jawline hinted at the severity of the crash.
His head turned toward the door.
"Kant," he said, surprised, his voice quiet but steady.
Kant stepped in slowly. "Hey… I just wanted to check on you. You doing alright now?"
Sylan nodded. "Yeah… I'm okay. Thanks to you."
A pause. "Thanks… for pulling me out."
Kant nodded but didn't smile. "That was pretty scary."
He stood beside the bed, both of them avoiding direct eye contact.
Kant finally asked, his voice edged with restrained irritation, "Why were you even with those people? Why didn't you just take the school bus?"
Sylan exhaled slowly, resting his head against the pillow. "It was my girlfriend's idea. I didn't know it was going to go down like that… It was just my first time with them."
Kant's jaw clenched slightly. "Well, they're assholes. Loud, drunk, and reckless assholes. You could've died, Sylan."
Sylan looked at him then, really looked. His voice was soft, careful. "You don't have to worry about me again, Kant. I can take care of myself."
And then—the door swung open.
Ely stumbled in, also wearing a hospital gown. A white bandage patched the side of her forehead, and her long hair was tied back messily. She stopped short upon seeing Kant, her eyes narrowing instinctively.
She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around Sylan tightly.
"Oh my God, are you okay?" she whispered.
"Yeah," Sylan said softly.
"I'm so sorry about what happened. My friends were being idiots. It won't ever happen again, I swear."
He nodded, his tone indifferent. "It's fine… I'm glad you're okay too."
Kant looked away, his throat tightening. The sound of her voice felt like static in his ears. He swallowed hard, trying to clear the weight in his chest, like he was trying to breathe through glass.
Ely turned to Kant suddenly. Her voice clipped. "And you are…?"
Kant lifted his head slowly, locking eyes with her.
Before he could speak, Sylan interjected quickly, "He's just a friend. He came to check on me."
Ely nodded slowly. "Oh… cool." Then she tilted her head with forced curiosity. "I never knew Sylan had a friend"
Kant moved back a bit. "I was just leaving before you came in."
She blinked in confusion. "Alright"
Kant turned to Sylan, his eyes lingering for a second too long. "Take care of yourself, alright?"
Sylan met his gaze, but said nothing.
Kant gave a faint nod and left the room, the quiet click of the door behind him sounding far louder than it should have.