New beginning

CLAIRE

My heart raced as I saw Ethan crumple to the ground, his body lying still where the plank had struck him.

Panic surged through me, and I rushed to his side.

“Ethan! Are you okay?” I knelt beside him, my voice trembling.

His eyes fluttered open, and he groaned in pain.

“Why did you have to be so stubborn?” he muttered through gritted teeth.

“I-I thought I could handle them ,” I said, my hands shaking as I checked him over for injuries.

“Why did you come after me?” I asked .

Ethan winced as he tried to sit up.

“You’re not exactly subtle when you’re in trouble. And don’t think this means I’m going to be nice to you or anything.”

Despite his words, I could see the concern in his eyes. I pulled out my phone and called for an ambulance, unable to shake the image of him getting hit.

“Just hold on, okay? Help is coming.”

Ethan looked at me, his expression softer than usual.

“You really know how to cause a scene, don’t you?” I managed a weak smile despite my worry.

“Well, I