Beyond the Silent Wait

Summary

I lost Ethan. I lost him in the summer of our seventh year.

Even when I coughed up blood, he didn’t panic like he used to.

Standing outside the clinic, I sent him a message: "Ethan, my throat's been acting up. Can you take me to the hospital?"

His reply was instant. "Your pharyngitis cleared up ages ago."

"Lina, stop faking it."

A coppery tang flooded my throat.

I typed back, my fingers trembling slightly. "It's just a check-up."

A humorless laugh came through in his next text. "Fine. You want to wait? Wait."