Ava
As the sun stood high over the sky, casting a pink hue underneath the cherry blossom tree, I remained seated, alone with my thoughts and regrets. I knew that repairing the damage we had caused would take time and effort, but I was willing to do whatever it took to make things right, even if it meant facing the consequences of my actions head-on.
I smiled slightly and reached my hand toward the sun. At least now, everyone involved knew the truth. Hopefully, things would go up from here for us. Although, it would take a lot of time to heal our broken trust, if it could even be healed to begin with.
Dusting off my skirt, I stood up and head back home. I had to keep moving forward. There was more to life than relationships. Maybe dating was my first mistake. I should've focused on making my ambition into a reality first.
I eyed the sky again and smiled weakly as I realized I was all alone.
"Ava," Ziv yelled, running over.
I gasped. "Ziv? Why are you here?"
"I wanted to go check on you. Are things, okay?"
I smiled slightly. Right, he did say he was here for me. "Now they are."
He smiled back at me. "That's good. Now, how about we head home? I'll make you something to cheer you up."
I crossed my arms and sighed. "Ziv, I'm not a little girl anymore. Food doesn't cheer me up like it used to when I was five."
He ruffled my hair. "Yeah, but it's worth a shot, don't you think?"
I giggled. Sometimes, Ziv could be as silly as Seiya. "Thanks, Ziv."
Big bro put an arm around my shoulder. "Don't mention it. What are big brothers for?"
I laughed. "For bossing around to give me piggyback rides, duh!"
He narrowed his eyes but soon laughed. "Seems your sense of humor is the same."
I giggled. Having Ziv by my side gave me a small sense of comfort.
But as we neared our house, Ziv suddenly doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach. "Ziv! What's wrong?" I exclaimed, panic rising in my chest as I rushed to his side.
Ziv grimaced, his face contorted in agony. "It's... it's my stomach. It hurts so much, Ava," he gasped, his voice strained with pain.
Fear clenched my heart as I helped him stand up, supporting his weight as we slowly made our way back home. Ziv's condition worsened with each step, his complexion pale and sweat beading on his forehead.
Was he about to lay the egg?
Once we reached home, I guided Ziv to the couch and fetched a glass of water for him. "Hang in there, Ziv. I'll call for help," I said, my voice trembling with worry.
My siblings walked downstairs and frowned as soon as they saw our big brother.
"You okay, Ziv?" my sister asked.
Ziv gave her a faint smile and patted her head. "I'll be fine."
My little brother crossed his arms and sighed. "You don't look fine to me."
"You two, take care of him," I whispered, as I went to get the phone to call Mom. But before I could reach for the phone, a thought crossed my mind. Sou had medical training. Maybe he could help Ziv. Although, would he accept?
It wasn't like I could confide on anyone else. Mom had gone to town with Dad. With a determined nod, I rushed out of the house and headed towards the forest. Even if he rejected me, I had to convince him somehow.
The trees loomed overhead, their branches swaying in the gentle breeze, the exact opposite of how I felt right now. When I reached the clearing, I spotted Sou, face beaded with sweat. This clearing... Had he made it with his powers?
"Sou!" I called out, breathless from my run. "It's Ziv. He's in pain. I know you hate me for what I die, but please, you have to help him."
Sou's eyes widened in concern as he quickly made his way over to me. "What happened? Where is he?"
"He's at home. His stomach is hurting really bad," I explained, my voice urgent. "I think the egg is about to come out."
Without hesitation, Sou followed me back to the house. Ziv was still on the couch, his condition seemingly worsening by the minute.
"Let's go to your room," Sou said. "The egg, I think, is about to drop."
Big bro nodded weakly.
Sou glanced back at me. "Ava, go get Seiya."
I nodded and rushed next door for Seiya. When we returned, we went to Ziv's room. Our siblings were hugging Ziv. My brother's pain gradually subsided, his breathing eased, and color returned to his cheeks. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for Sou's timely intervention.
Sou meanwhile held a pinkish-orange egg in his palm.
"Thank you, Sou," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what we would've done without you."
Sou smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm just glad I could help. Ziv will be fine now, but he should rest and take it easy for a while."
Ziv nodded weakly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Sou. I owe you one."
Sou waved off his gratitude. "No need to thank me. Just take care of yourself, okay?" He smiled at the egg. "I'll bring over an incubator for my little niece of nephew."
Seiya took the egg. "Woah, so this is our baby?"
Ziv smiled weakly. "Yeah, but please be careful with it. The little one is fragile."
My little brother blinked. "How did... I thought that. An egg?" he said, giving me a confused look.
I sighed. "I'll explain it later."
As Ziv settled in for some much-needed rest, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
Sou smiled at Ziv and his brother. "I'm going to go get an incubator. Try to keep it warm."
Seiya nodded, pressing the egg gently against his chest.
I rushed over to thank Sou.
"Sou!" I yelled.
He paused at the door and sighed. "I helped Ziv because of my friendship with him and because he is my brother's boyfriend, not because you asked."
I lowered my head. "I figured, but still. Thanks for coming over." I smiled weakly. "I think you'll become a great doctor one day. You don't mind helping total strangers or people who wrong you."
He turned away. "Ziv didn't wrong me. You did."
I lowered my head as he left. True. What was I doing, making this about myself? Still, Sou had matured a lot. Maybe one day, we could return to being friends. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking...