Chapter 4: A Collision of Fate

Tessa’s POV

“You called me, sir,” I said.

“Yes,” Mr. Tibi smiled gently.

“How’s preparation for the competition?”

“Fine, sir.”

He had told me about the competition two months ago and gave me study materials, which I went through every night after work. I wanted nothing more than to win.

 

He said if our school came first, I’d get a full scholarship next year to one of the best colleges, and that thought alone pushed me to study even harder.

“There’s a new development. Each school must now send two representatives.”

“Oh really? That’s great news.”

“Yes. You’ll be going with Jessica since she’s the second-best student.”

“Alright, sir,” I replied, hiding how uneasy I felt.

I didn’t trust Jessica. A few days ago, she lied to her boyfriend, claiming I reported them for kissing behind the school. He believed her, and he ended up beating me to a pulp.

“The competition is in seven days. Mr. Wilson and Miss Rachel will accompany you two, so you don’t have anything to  worry about, just work together and make us proud.” he said smiling 

I nodded and stepped out, whispering a silent prayer—not even about the competition—but that nothing would go wrong beside Jessica.

***

Six Days Later

At 6:30 p.m., we arrived at the hotel. The journey had drained us. The lobby smelled faintly of lemon polish and was lit with warm lights.

The competition starts at 2 p.m. the next day. Jessica had gone out while I stayed back, going through the mock questions Mr. Tibi printed for us.

Then the door swung open.

“Tessa,” Jessica said sweetly.

I looked up. “Yes?”

“Mr. Wilson wants you to get him a toothpaste from the store nearby.”

I frowned. “We’re not allowed to leave and you know that.”

She rolled her eyes and snapped, “Then go tell him yourself,” tossing some bills at me.

The thought of facing Mr. Wilson didn’t sit well, so I took the money and left.

Outside, it was already dark. The hotel sat in a quiet area, no nearby homes, barely any stores. Tall trees lined the road and the streetlights were dim. I could hear sports bike engines roar in the distance.

I walked for thirty minutes before finding a small supermarket with dim lights and dusty shelves. The boy behind the counter barely looked up as he played game on his smartphone.

I bought the toothpaste and headed back, humming softly.

Then, I heard a loud, sharp growl of a bike engine, closer than before.

“Noooo!” someone screamed.

I turned—just in time to see a sports bike coming straight at me. Before I could move, it hit me. I felt myself thrown into the air like a doll. Then I crashed onto the ground—my head banging hard against something sharp—maybe a stone. Pain exploded in my skull. Then everything went blank.

***

Zane’s POV

“Oh fuck!”

“Elena! Elena!” I screamed, slapping her cheeks gently.

One of my friends knelt beside the unconscious girl Elena had collided with, checking her breathing. Another was already on the phone with emergency services, yelling for them to hurry.

The ambulance arrived quickly. I jumped in, gripping Elena’s hand and whispering her name, my voice shaking with panic. As the vehicle sped off, the medics worked to stabilize her, while I kept praying under my breath.

Outside the emergency ward, I paced like a madman, not minding my clothes that were stained with blood. If anything happened to Elena, I’d never forgive myself.

Rain, one of my friends, approached.

“Her phone won’t stop ringing,” he said, handing it to me.

I answered it, my hands trembling.

“Elena, where are you? Bella said you’re not with her” her mother’s voice rang out.

“Hello ma’am… Elena’s been in an accident. I’m so sorry,” I stammered.

“Who is this? Why do you have my daughter’s phone? What do you mean an accident?”

I stuttered, “We went bike racing and she—she…”

“Hello,” came a deeper voice. I figured it was her father.

“What happened, and where are you?”

“She… she got into an accident. We’re at Royal Life Medical Center in Las Vegas,” I replied.

He hung up without another word.

I sank onto a bench, hands covering my face. I should’ve never invited her, never let her ride alone.

 

About fifty-five minutes later, the doctor finally came out.

I rushed over.

“Please relax,” he said. “Everything is okay.”

I breathed hard.

“She’s stable, but unconscious. The girl she hit is in a coma—we’re monitoring her closely.”

That was when Elena’s parents rushed in.

Her mom wore loose pants and a sweatshirt, her hair pulled back, with face full of panic. Her dad was behind, in dark slacks and a sweater.

“How is she?” Elena’s father asked.

“She’s unconscious but stable,” the doctor replied.

 

Minutes later, I heard her father on the phone, “We’re flying Elena and the girl to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. Prep for arrival in one hour.”

He turned to me, his eyes burning.

“If anything happens to my daughter, young man, I’ll hold your father responsible—for not raising you properly!”

***

One Hour Later

At Cedars-Sinai, both girls were rushed into ICU.

The halls were cold and bright, with nurses moving around quickly. I waited outside, looking like a shadow of myself—lost and afraid.

A nurse came out a while later, “Elena is awake.”

I bolted inside. Elena’s mom sat beside her, holding her hand gently while her dad stood close.

Elena’s eyes fluttered open, she looked around the room, with a confused and blank face, as if she was seeing everything for the first time.

“Elena… sweetie,” her mother whispered, wiping her tears.

“How are you feeling?” her father asked softly.

“Who are you? And where is this?” Elena asked, with a weak voice.

Her mother froze, her voice trembling. “It’s okay, you’re safe now. Mummy and Daddy are here.”

“Daddy?” she whispered. “I have a father? ” she asked gently as tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

“Call the doctor!” her father yelled, while I stood there stunned and unable to move.