Racing Heart's

The flight back to New York felt like it was taking an eternity. I kept staring at my phone, willing it to buzz with an update, praying that the next call or message would tell me everything was fine. But the silence only made the anxiety gnaw deeper at my gut.

Beside me, Andrew kept glancing over, his face calm but his hand gripping mine tightly. His thumb moved in soothing circles against my skin, but no amount of gentle touches could slow the frantic beating of my heart. I could feel the pressure building in my chest, the worry expanding until it was hard to breathe.

“He’s going to be okay, Ava,” Andrew said quietly, his voice steady, though I could hear the strain in it. “The school said it was minor. Just a fainting spell. He’s probably just dehydrated or something.”

I nodded, but the knot of fear in my stomach refused to loosen. I kept thinking about Tristan’s small body crumpling to the floor, about him lying unconscious while no one could reach me. I should have been there. I