Billionaire's Childhood Love

LIX. The Wait

Hailey's POV:

"HayHay!" Crystal leaps on the bed. "I thought you were dead!" She cries into my chest. I know she's faking it, mainly since there are no tears. She knows I'm fine, but she likes being dramatic sometimes.

My eyes scanned the room.

Ahmend. I guess we're good friends.

Taniyah. I'm happy I am more than someone who exists in her mind. Her eyes scanned my body, and she nodded once then left.

"She totally cares," Crystal said.

I smiled but didn't rebuttal when Taniyah left.

Madison. Good friend.

Mason. Twin brother of a good friend.

Tyson. Probably somehow tagged along Ahmend.

Austin. Probably saw me got carried out of the dormitory. Good friend. He fidgets continuously in the back of the room. He probably doesn't feel comfortable being here.

Leslie. She's from track and field, but I don't remember us being closed enough for her to be here.

She looks at Austin but averts her eyes when he looks down. When she looks up, he averts his eyes.

I wonder if I can play cupid.

Then, Jasmine. Honestly, I preferred that she didn't come.

One by one, they ask me if I'm okay, and when I explain to them what happened. They nod in understanding. Then, one by one, they left to do their business.

I look at the door.

Crystal momentarily stops peeling the apples Madison and Mason brought for me. "Who are you looking for?"

"Where's Josh?" I ask.

Crystal scan the room then shrugged. "You mean you didn't see him?"

I shook my head, "No."

"Weird," Crystal whispered. "I would've thought he would be the first person here." Her brows crunch. "Then, who brought you here?"

"Paisley."

She cuts the apple. "Who?"

"Paisley. One of the girls who was with Serena, the girl who you fought with at the beginning of the year," I explain.

She nods. I'm not sure if she remembers the fight or not. Crystal picks on a lot of people.

"Well, that's nice of her," Crystal replies.

"Yeah. It's too bad; she won't be here next year."

"Why not?" She feeds me an apple.

I chew on it and swallow. Then, she hands me a cup of water. "Because Serena's family stopped doing business with hers and Riley."

"Who's Riley?"

"The other girl behind Serena."

"Ah. That's too bad. They should've picked a better friend."

"They can't help it," I said, taking another bite. "They don't want to offend Serena's family."

Crystal exhales softly, "I guess that's understandable. They shouldn't get kicked out because they only wanted to help their family's business."

I chew on the apple and continue to look at the door.

No one.

"How long do I have to stay here?" I ask.

Crystal swallows the apple. "Let me ask if you can be discharged." She places a hand on my head. "You're not as hot, so they should let you go." She chuckles, "I feel like a doctor for a second." She got up and headed out the door.