𝑰'𝒎 𝑺𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 (𝑩𝒊𝒈𝑻)

𝑬𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

{1060 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔}

A week had gone by and Tanner had not stopped thinking about the date. Every time he did he'd get all giddy. He kept thinking about laying on the blanket with her leaning against him. It was his favorite moment with her and just in general. Whenever he could he would drop by the café to see Ophelia and if she wasn't working he would invite her to get lunch. He wanted so badly to ask her to be his girlfriend. He would love to say 'this is Ophelia my girlfriend' or 'that beautiful woman over there is my girlfriend'. How he would love to call her his and she call him hers. He wanted to make it official and if she wasn't ready yet, he'd wait. He'd always wait. He walked into the café and Ophelia was working. "Lia, I have to do the podcast later and I was wondering if you'd like to tag along? The boys would love to have you. Isaac, Grunk, and Blake want to meet you." He asked hoping for a yes.

"Sure I get off in thirty minutes." She smiled and he took his normal coffee before waiting at one of the tables near by. After her shift he drove her back to his house, holding hands the whole time. Once they got back to the house he brought her up to his room and brought her an extra seat. "Ready?" He asked as he clicked on the discord.

"As I'll ever be." She said smiling.

"Tanners here!" Larry shouted and everyone cheered.

"And I brought a guest!" Tanner shouted matching his energy.

"Hi, I'm Lia." She waved to the camera.

"She was in my aquarium vlog, so if you saw that you already know her." Nick said.

"Okay I know nick, Larry, and Tanner. Who's left?" She asked.

"I'm Isaac, I live in the faceless café."

"I'm Blake, but I prefer yumi online."

"I'm grunk!"

"Nice to meet you all."

"Let's get this podcast rolling!" The podcast was going smoothly. They briefly touched on Ophelia's life and what she was comfortable sharing before bringing up different topics. They were talking about the coming up last to leave VC video when Ophelia got a call from her sister. She was confused to say the least. She hadn't gotten a call from her in years. "Tanner, I'm gonna step out and take this, okay?" He nodded and she stepped outside picking up the phone. "Nicole?"

"Lia." Nicole's voice cracked. "Uh,
m-moms in the hospital. Sh-she, uhm, she was in a car wreck. I thought you should know even if you haven't talked in a while."

"What hospital?" Ophelia's voice started getting caught in her throat. She felt like she could barely breathe.

"Joseph memorial."

"I-I'll be there soon." Ophelia hung up and Tanner stepped out to check on her.

"You okay?" He turned her around but all she did was wrap her arms around his torso and sob into his chest. He was shocked by the sudden act but hugged back quickly seeing how dire it was. 

"My moms in the hospital. She, uh, she was in a car crash. I have to go." Ophelia said pulling away.

"Let me tell the guys. I'm driving you, no excuses." Tanner said rushing back in. Everyone understood and he took her to the hospital. Ophelia rushed in, Taner trailing behind.

"Casey Hope?" She said as she talk to the nurse.

"Are you related?"

"Im her daughter."

"Not possible, her daughters already here. She told us she only has one." The nurse said and Nicole walked out seeing Ophelia.

"She lied. She has two. You'd know if you actually bothered to check her files." Nicole quickly shut down the nurse before pulling Ophelia into a tight hug.

"God, Nicole I missed you." Ophelia said. Her and her sister were thick as thieves until late middle school and all of high school when her parents started putting a shit ton of pressure on Ophelia. Their bond wasn't as strong but it was still there.

"Moms in surgery right now but you can come wait with us in the waiting room." Nicole said walking away, Ophelia and Tanner hot on her trail again. Ophelia saw her dad sitting in one of the many chairs. He stood up and walked over to her pulling her into a hug.

"I'm surprised." He spoke as he held her.

"Why?" She pulled back.

"Your mother said you wanted nothing to do with us." He told her and Ophelia felt a pang of hurt. Her own mother lied to her father and sister.

"She lied. I've tried calling every day. She never picks up. I wouldn't be shocked if she never listened to the voicemails." Ophelia explained and her fathers focus moved to the male behind her.

"Who's he?"

"This is Tanner he's a very good friend of mine." Ophelia smiled turning to Tanner. "Tanner, this is my dad and sister, Nicole. I wish you could've met in better circumstances." Tanner rubbed her back before shaking Ophelia's dad's hand. He turned to Nicole (who was more of a hugger) when he stuck his hand out she immediately hugged him quickly.

"Hand shakes are too formal." Nicole explained and Tanner nodded.

"What happened?" Ophelia asked

"She was coming home from the shops and a car didn't notice the red light. Slammed into the side. She arrived conscious and talking. But then they had to take her into surgery so we've been waiting out here the whole time." Nicole explained and Ophelia just nodded not knowing what exactly to say.

"Family of Casey Hope?" A nurse walked out holding a clip board in his hands.

"That's us." Ophelia's father said.

"She's awake and you can see her. She's a bit woozy from the anesthesia, but she should be okay." He smiled informing the family. Nicole and her father instantly walked to the mothers room. Ophelia couldn't move her feet as if they were super glued to the floor. How would she react to Ophelia being there? Would she be relieved and tell her it was all a misunderstanding? Would she be pissed? Would she apologize for not answering the phone? Would she explain why she didn't answer? What was going to happen when she stepped foot into her mother's hospital room?