He Stayed

Aria

My body aches so bad. I felt so heavy as my eyes flickered open to a white ceiling. I blinked rapidly, waiting for my vision to focus. It took a few minutes just to be sure where exactly I was.

I was at home, getting ready for my coming of age, then my sickness came in, and I found my way to Mooncrest Academy. Then I found my mate….. yes. The memories began to click back in pieces as I welcomed them. I turned my head on the bed. I remembered collapsing.

My throat felt so thin. A sour taste clouded my tongue as I took in where I was.

"You're awake." Ryder moved to me from the chair. His eyes looked dull, and his hair was unusually dishevelled from his uprightness. "How are you feeling? Do you feel pain anywhere? Can you hear me?"

I adjusted my head back for comfort, then I tried to open my mouth, but it was stuck together. My eyes met his as I nodded, but his brows furrowed, seeing my discomfort.

"I'll get water," he said, and I nodded instantly to what I should have asked, but it wasn't coming out.

Another figure came just that instant, but this time with water. Mallory's eyes were red as Ryder tried to help me sit to drink. My hands felt heavy but I managed to push myself up until my back rested against the pillow. Ryder wanted to take the water, but Mallory shook her head, and he made her do it instead.

I sipped carefully, though I wanted more of it to travel down my throat, but this pace was all my mouth could support. My lips parted more as seconds counted, till the last drop, before she took it away, and I licked my lips, which felt so dry, and the only moisture I could feel was from the water.

I relaxed better, breathing slowly as I looked around properly this time. Ryder and Mallory watched me, their eyes doing more than what they didn't say.

"I'm fine." My voice sounded so tiny from disuse.

"Are you….. sure?" Mallory asked, standing so attentively as Ryder simply awaited my answer.

"Yes. Where am I?" I asked.

"In the academy clinic. You've been unconscious for three days. I called Father and Mother, and they were so worried and told me stuff," Ryder explained.

"Three days? You told Mom and Dad?" My eyes widened, and my fingernails felt longer while I caressed them. I needed to cut them!

"They know now that you haven't shifted yet, but Dr. Vance mentioned something about taking your time. I didn't understand that…"

"This might be too soon to be saying, considering the fact she just woke up. Thankfully, they packed her drugs, and we were able to get her to use them." Mallory sighed, cutting Ryder off.

"There's no need to hold back. I want to know! In fact, apart from sleeping for the past few days, nothing else is making me uncomfortable."

Ryder flickered between Mallory and me. I know they both mean well, but silence won't rectify anything, or avoidance.

"Well, that's because Kael picked you up when you fainted and followed us through this," Mallory blurted.

"He… did?" My lips parted in shock.

I didn't dare admit it, afraid of getting it wrong. That's explains the lingering scent of pine and wood in the room!

"Yeah, Serena and I had to step in for Kael and Ryder where we could at the academy activities, since we all couldn't stay, but he left when you showed signs of improving." She took her eyes away as Ryder gritted his teeth.

I lowered my eyes, feeling conflicted. Ryder moved to hold my hands.

"Did you tell them?" I couldn't help but wonder.

His eyes met mine, and he nodded, confirming my fear.

"What did they say?" I bit my lips, feeling overwhelmed. Tears threatened to flow down, but I held it in adamantly. It won't make things suddenly better, after all.

He didn't reply immediately as silence engulfed the room. My question echoed back to me as my heart raced steadily, unlike when I didn't feel good.

"That can wait. Now, we should probably focus on getting you food!" Mallory dropped in, making me heave out.

Why was she so persistent? I looked at her to see her smiling awkwardly at me. But my stomach made a funny sound, agreeing with her.

"Right! What would you want to eat?" Ryder questioned, as his palm, which was sweaty now, relaxed, exuding less tension.

I decided to let it go for now, as I was indeed feeling hungry. When Ryder and Mallory heard how much of an appetite I had, they smiled brightly.

"That's wonderful. I'll go get it," Mallory said, hurrying out of the clinic, but took a pause and turned back, glaring hard at Ryder. "Don't… go… behind me to answer her questions. You can always tell her after she's moreeee better."

Ryder rolled his eyes while I burst into laughter. Oh goodness, was this my brother? And to think Mallory just keeps the quiet facade, which would have continued to fool me otherwise if I didn't see her all this while at it.

"And why would I listen to you?" Ryder grinned from ear to ear, waiting to see her reaction.

She turned fully to him, then a mischievous smile plastered on her face. "You won't? I thought you would be a good boy for Mallory."

Ryder's eyes turned red a bit this time as he coughed, looking at her with soft eyes before waving her off to go. Mallory turned with a satisfied smile and left.

What just happened? Did I just witness my brother and his mate PDA? So he could be so mischievous too with her?

He chuckled, his eyes lingering on her departing figure. I cleared my throat as he turned, suddenly realizing my presence.

"What?" He gave me a blank stare, but I didn't bother to drag it on with him.

"So what did Mom and Dad say?" I asked slowly, staring back at him earnestly, but he didn't look glad I brought it up.