Back To School

For the next three days, I didn’t go to school.

Dad had to return to work, so I stayed at the hospital with Mom. I slept on the uncomfortable couch beside her bed, ate terrible cafeteria food, and tried not to think too much. The doctors said the surgery went well, but she was still weak. Tubes, monitors, pale skin — it all made my chest feel tight every time I looked at her.

My phone stayed on silent most of the time.

Mason had been texting every day.

Mason: *You good?*

Mason: *Training feels weird without you yelling at me.*

Mason: *Kai keeps asking where you are. Told him to mind his business.*

Mason: *Lila asked about you too. Said she hopes you’re okay.*

I read every message but never replied. I didn’t know what to say.

On the fourth night, Mom was finally sleeping peacefully. I needed air and some snacks, so I slipped out to the supermarket across the street from the hospital.

I was standing in the aisle staring at protein bars when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“Ezra?”

I turned.

Mason stood there in a black hoodie, holding a basket with bread and energy drinks. He looked surprised, then relieved.

“Shit,” he breathed. “You’re alive.”

I gave a weak smile. “Yeah.”

He stepped closer, eyes searching my face. “What happened? You just disappeared. I thought… I don’t know what I thought.”

I looked down at the protein bars. “My mom had a car accident. She’s been in the hospital. Surgery and stuff. I’ve been staying with her while my dad works.”

Mason’s face changed. The usual cocky mask slipped away completely.

“Fuck, Ezra… I’m sorry. Is she okay?”

“She’s getting better. Doctors say she can go home in two days.”

He nodded slowly, then did something I didn’t expect.

He put his basket down and pulled me into a hug. It was awkward and stiff at first, but his arms were warm and solid around me. I didn’t pull away.

When he let go, he rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost shy.

“I’ve been texting you like an idiot,” he muttered.

“I saw them,” I said. “Sorry I didn’t reply. My head’s been all over the place.”

“It’s cool. I get it.” He paused. “Kai’s been asking about you nonstop. He asked for your number, but I told him to fuck off.”

I almost laughed. “Thanks.”

“Lila too. She keeps asking if you’re okay.”

We stood there in the supermarket aisle like two idiots who didn’t know how to talk to each other anymore.

“Come on,” Mason said suddenly. “I’ll walk you back to the hospital. You shouldn’t be out alone this late.”

I didn’t argue.

We walked side by side through the quiet streets. Mason kept updating me about school — who got in trouble, how training was going, how Principal Gage asked about me twice. He even brought notes from our shared classes.

For the first time in days, I found myself smiling at my phone while reading his old texts.

When we reached the hospital entrance, Mason stopped.

“Can I… come see her?” he asked quietly. “Just for a minute. I won’t stay long.”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. She’s sleeping, but you can come up.”

We went upstairs quietly. Mom was still asleep when we entered the room.

Mason stood by the door, looking at her for a long moment.

“She looks strong,” he said softly.

“She is.”

He turned to me. “You should get some real sleep tonight. You look like shit.”

I snorted. “Thanks.”

He smiled a little. “I’m serious. I’ll keep sending you notes and updates. Don’t disappear on me again, okay?”

“Okay.”

He lingered for a second like he wanted to say more, then just nodded and left.

The next week passed in a strange blur.

Mom got stronger every day. I stayed with her, but Mason never stopped texting. School notes, funny memes about Kai’s flirting, random complaints about training. Every message made me smile more than I wanted to admit.

One evening, while I was sitting beside Mom’s bed scrolling through his latest texts, she opened her eyes and caught me.

“You’ve been smiling at that phone a lot lately,” she said, voice still weak but teasing. “Who’s the girl?”

I froze, then laughed softly. “It’s not a girl, Mom. Just… a friend from school. Nothing serious.”

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. “Friends are good. Especially ones that make you smile like that.”

Two days later, Mom was discharged.

Dad came to pick us up. As we drove home, I couldn’t stop thinking about going back to school tomorrow.

Back to the rink, then back to Mason.

I told myself it was just because I missed training.

But deep down, I knew it was more than that.

I was actually looking forward to seeing his stupid face again.

And that scared me a little.