I was finally back at school after two whole weeks. Mia was so happy to see me again that she hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe.
I didn't tell anyone about my situation except Mia. No one would believe that I got kicked out of my house to stay with my grandmother and ended up being sent to the school's dormitory.
"Amanda! You're finally back!"
"We learnt so much during your absence. I pity you for needing to catch up on everything."
"Ask me if you need help.
"Amanda is an excellent student. You might end up being the one asking her instead."
I was glad that at least everyone was cheerful like usual. I guess my existence didn't affect them that much then. Come to think of it, where's Eric?
I assumed maybe he's absent so I went to my seat and got ready for class. Just when our teacher entered the classroom, Eric came in the door panting, as if he had just come back from a run.
"I'm sorry, I'm late."
"Write down your name in this book and take your seat."
It's the first time Eric has been this late to school. That made me really curious right now but it was time for class and I most probably would forget about this later during break time, so I just left this problem behind my head.
During the class, I received a message. I could see Eric typing from his seat so I knew it was from him even without looking at it. Thanks to that, I could ignore it without losing attention in class.
Soon, it was break time. I took out my phone to see what it was he sent during class and turns out, it was about his reason for his lateness.
"I got into some family problems."
Um… Is he indicating to me to comfort him? I never asked him the reason nor did I look like I pitied him but he just came out of nowhere and texted me all on his own without me asking a single thing.
I couldn't care less about it as I was so hungry so I went to the cafeteria with Mia to get some bread to fill my stomach.
After break time, it was time for English class. I set my phone on silent mode so that I could focus in class.
Suddenly, the teacher had to pick up a phone call so she left the classroom for a moment. When she came back, I was told to leave immediately as an emergency had occurred.
Without further ado, I packed my things and everyone was staring at me as I left the classroom. Well, I was not surprised by that at all. I had disappeared for two weeks and now that I'm finally back, leaving early will draw everyone's attention.
I went to the school gate and saw Alice in the car. She came down to help me place my bag in the car boot and drove me to a hospital nearby grandma's mansion.
"Alice, what happened?"
I thought father came back again but it doesn't look like the case since Alice had a very serious look on her face. She didn't respond to me as she was busy focusing on the road.
When we reached the hospital, Alice went to the counter to take the room card from the receptionist. She came back and brought me to the 41st room. There was a nameplate on the door with my family name written on it: Mrs. Asia.
'Is that… grandma?!'
I rushed into the room, only to see my mother sitting by the bed that grandma was lying on.
"You're finally here, Amanda."
I calmed myself down and asked what happened to grandma.
"Can't you see it with your own eyes?" My mother was mad as she glared at me. Luckily, Alice was kind enough to explain.
"Mrs. Asia coughed blood this morning. Her maid contacted us." She left to get my sister as soon as she said that.
"It's all your fault, Amanda. Reflect on your actions."
I had my head down the whole time while mother lectured me. I couldn't think of what I did to make grandma in this situation. The doctor said her life was in danger so she has to stay in the hospital.
"I didn't-" My sister really saved me back there when she came with a whole worried look visible on her face. "Grandma?!"
"Andrea, lower down your voice. You're in a hospital."
"Sorry, mother."
Mother sighed and explained everything to my sister. "If only Amanda wasn't here..."
"No." My sister had a serious expression. "It is because Amanda was here, grandma managed to come this far."
I had totally no idea what was going on. I just listened to both my mother and sister argue about how my existence changed grandma's lifespan. I went beside grandma and held her hand.
"Grandma, I'm sorry..."
"It's okay, I'm fine." Grandma said it with her ill and shaky voice. How did I not realize this earlier? I wouldn't have left all the chores to her even if she insisted. It doesn't seem like the maid was helping out either.
I just remembered I had homework to do so I told my mother that I had to leave, although she doesn't look happy about it.
I told Mia about this as soon as I left the room. Suddenly, I bumped into someone and I blamed myself for not watching where I was going. Luckily, I wasn't too heavy to knock him down.
I quickly backed away to apologize and a familiar voice made me lift up my head.
"Watch where you're going."
Eric? What is he doing in the hospital?
I recalled when he was late this morning, he said he ran into some family problems so I thought maybe someone fell sick and he had to bring them to the hospital. I didn't expect it was really the case when he told me he was visiting his grandmother.
A voice came from grandma's room which attracted our attention. We stopped our conversation and looked towards where the voice was coming from.
"If only you never existed, your grandmother won't be here right now! It's all your fault!"
Mother was yelling while coming towards me and the nurses had to stop her.
"Madam, please calm down. This is a hospital, please do not disturb other patients."
"Amanda! Return your grandmother's lifespan!"
I still didn't get how I was related to grandma's life and Eric's face was showing a look of confusion while he looked at me.
"Did you kill your grandmother or something?"
"No. I don't even know what my mother is talking about."
For the first time in my entire life, I ignored my mother's words and headed to the car. Alice didn't seem to stop me and drove me back to the dorm.