Without You

Chapter 23

Sheldon's POV

The clock struck across 1:00 AM, and I found myself lying in my bed, shrouded in an overwhelming sense of fragility. Blurred visions, a rapidly racing heart, and an insistent pain in my chest slowly chipping away at my well-being, rendering my entire body numb. The room felt like an envelope of discomfort, and I struggled against the physical as well as mental distress. 

The singular thought that consumes my mind is her—Emily. The idea of leaving this world wasn't something I ever envisioned, certainly not in this manner. Yet, if there's any solace to be found, it lies in the fact that, regardless of what unfolded or remained unexplored between us, I had the privilege of meeting her in my 23 years of existence. Despite the complexities of our relationship or the things left unsaid, meeting her feels like a destined chapter that concludes, leaving no room for the possibility of meeting again.

Suddenly I was pulled back from my deep thoughts by my aunt, Martha. In the dimly lit room, she hovered over the landline, urgently dialing the numbers as if each second were a lifeline. "416-555-6789. Hello, Doctor. Hello, Doctor Jones," her voice wavered with anxiety. "He's not well—persistent chest pain and blood in his cough. What do I do?" The desperation in her tone was palpable, echoing the urgency of the situation.

A few eternally long minutes later, she reached for the phone again, this time dialing my dad. "Hey, Henry. Hey," her voice trembled as she spoke into the receiver. "Book us a flight to Toronto. Yes, he's not feeling well. Doctor Jones insists we take him there as soon as possible." Her words carried the weight of a decision made under duress, the gravity of the situation casting a shadow over the quietude of the late-night hour.

As the reality of the situation sank in, the room seemed to close in on me. The impending journey to Toronto, now shadowed by the specter of a dire health crisis, cast an ominous pall over the quietude of the late-night hour. The gravity of the moment was inescapable, a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the harsh reality that unfolded in the darkest corners of the night.

Emily's POV:

With the morning light streaming into my room on the 1st of November, I awakened to a new day. Determined to share the events of the past few days with Jessica, I rose from my bed and descended the stairs. The living room revealed a scene of disarray — Jessica lay sprawled on the sofa, her curly hair mirroring the chaotic state of her personality. A black cloak lay abandoned on the floor, and a spilled bottle of red wine added to the disorder.

Recognizing the aftermath of a lively night, I took it upon myself to tidy up the living space. In the spirit of a fresh start, I brewed a cup of hot black coffee for Jessica. The clock on the wall reminded me that it was 7:10 in the morning, and our college day was set to commence at 8:30 AM. I gently approached Jessica, whose eyes fluttered open as she stirred on the sofa.

"Hey, sleepyhead," I greeted, offering her the steaming cup of coffee. Her eyes squinted against the morning light as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"What time is it?" she mumbled, taking the coffee and inhaling its rich aroma.

"It's a little past 7 in the morning. College starts at 8:30. We've got some time," I replied, perching myself on the edge of the coffee table.

As she sipped the hot coffee, her gaze wandered around the now-tidied living room. A subtle frown creased her forehead as if trying to recall the events of the previous night.

"What happened last night? With you two? Something spicy happened or was just boring like every other day?" she asked, her voice groggy but curious.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to begin. "Well, it was Halloween, so we decided to spend the night in the Saint Paul's library. Things got a bit... complicated."

Her eyes widened, and she set the coffee cup down, suddenly more alert. "Complicated? What happened?"

I took a deep breath, recounting the events of the night, the security rushing in, our clandestine kiss, and the unexpected rift that followed. Jessica listened intently, her expression shifting from surprise to concern.

"That sounds intense," she remarked, running a hand through her unruly curls. "And what about him?"

I sighed, a mixture of regret and confusion lingering in my voice. "He said he couldn't continue with what was happening between us. It seems he values our friendship too much to let it turn into something else."

Jessica's eyes softened, a mix of empathy and understanding. "I'm sorry to hear that. But hey, it's a new day. Maybe things will settle down. You never know."

"No, Jess, it's not that easy. I told him bad things last night; I don't think he'll ever forget it. I really feel guilty for that," I admitted, a sense of remorse coloring my words.

"I understand. I think you should apologize to him," she suggested her voice gentle and understanding. Her eyes held a glimmer of concern as she continued, "I thought he really liked you. I don't know whatever was going on in his mind last night." Confusion played across her features, mirroring the uncertainty that now lingered between us.

"Don't worry, Emm. Just let go of that weight for now. Maybe everything between you two will get better today," Jessica reassured, offering a small, supportive smile.

I nodded, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. "Yeah, you're right. I just hope things don't get too awkward."

As we arrived at the college, I scanned the familiar faces among my friends, but he was conspicuously absent. Nowhere in the college areas did his presence reveal itself. The day unfolded, and I attended each class patiently, hoping to catch a glimpse of him at any moment, yearning for the chance to apologize.

As lunchtime approached, I found myself traversing the various college buildings and campuses for an hour, desperately seeking him. However, he remained elusive, absent from the cafeteria and the college library. The uncertainty and overthinking consumed me throughout the day as I wondered, where did he go?

The passing hours only deepened the mystery, leaving me grappling with a sense of emptiness and the unresolved tension between us. The day that began with the promise of a new start now echoed with unanswered questions, intensifying the longing to mend what had been broken.

Days drifted by, and there was still no sign of him. His absence lingered, a void that not even his friends could fill. The gradual descent into coldness mirrored the icy echoes in my heart. Every detail of that haunting night played on a loop in my mind, each moment soaked in regret. I couldn't shake the feeling of having irreversibly altered something precious.

The only thought that consumed me was him—what if he harbored resentment, choosing to avoid me altogether?

A week crawled by, marked by fruitless attempts to locate him. Jordan's update brought a little bit of comfort along with a heavy load of worry. "He's not at home; I went there, but it was locked," she informed, deepening the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

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𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀(𝗔/𝗡): Things are getting interesting, and I'd love to hear your predictions. What twists do you think lie ahead? Share your thoughts!

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