Chapter 21

Natalie

The wait seems endless. Noah is being operated on, and I'm staring down at the floor. I haven't even touched the cola Frank bought me from the vending machine. Neither have I eaten anything.

I pull my legs to my body, hugging them while other people receive good news about their loved ones.

What if I won't receive good news about Noah?

Fear and panic are crashing over me like a tidal wave, again and again, until it gets heavier to breathe. My heart is throbbing, but I can only sit deathly still as the tears fall.

"Why did I ask Noah to go to the pharmacy for me..." I whisper. Guilt is gnawing at me. "This is all my fault..."

"It's not your fault, sweetheart," Frank sighs. "It's no one's fault. Accidents happen all the time."

"What if Noah won't make it?" I ask.

"I'm sure Noah will be fine," Frank says, but even he doesn't sound convinced of his own words. "Your dad and Cynthia are taking a flight back to the city tonight."

I swallow plenty of tears. My brain can't focus on my