Charlotte sat at their dinning table, surrounded by stacks of books and notes, her mind focused on the upcoming match. She was determined to win, to prove herself against Jessica.
Just as she was starting to make progress, she heard the front door open and close. Her mother, Mrs. Ryder, walked in, looking pale and clammy.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Charlotte asked, concern etched on her face.
Mrs. Ryder collapsed onto the couch, her body shaking with a fit of coughs. "I...I think I've got food poisoning," she gasped. "I was handling some bad meat at the stall today."
Charlotte's heart sank. She knew her mother worked hard to provide for their family, and now she was sick.
Without hesitation, Charlotte abandoned her studies and rushed to her mother's side. She grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her mother's shivering body.
"Let me get you some water," Charlotte said, hurrying to the kitchen.
As she cared for her mother, Charlotte's mind worried about the match. She was falling behind, and Jessica was probably studying hard. But she pushed those thoughts aside and focused on her mother's needs.
Her mother was the only blood related family she has, to heck with the match , she assured herself.
She spent the rest of the evening nursing her mother back to health, making her soup and tea, and keeping her company. It wasn't ideal, but family came first.
As the night drew to a close, Charlotte's mother smiled weakly at her. "Thank you, sweetie. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Charlotte smiled back, feeling a sense of responsibility and love. She knew she'd have to catch up on her studies later, but for now, her mother needed her.
Night had fallen, and Charlotte's mother was still recovering from her food poisoning. Charlotte was keeping watch, making sure her mother was comfortable and safe.
But just as she was starting to relax, her mother's condition took a turn for the worse.
"Mom, no! Oh God, please don't..." Charlotte cried out as her mother collapsed beside her.
Panicked, Charlotte grabbed the phone and dialed Andrew's father's number.
"Please, sir, My mom's really sick, and I need to get her to the hospital!"
Andrew's father, though groggy with sleep, quickly sprang into action. "I'll be right there, Charlotte. Hang in there."
As he arrived at Charlotte's house, he realized that Andrew was still fast asleep, oblivious to the drama unfolding around him.
Meanwhile, Charlotte had already called a rickshaw to take her mother to the hospital. She helped her mother into the vehicle, trying to keep her calm and comfortable during the bumpy ride.
The next morning, Charlotte rushed back home to grab some supplies for her mother, who was still recovering in the hospital.
As she burst through the front door, Andrew already dressed and ready for school.
"Buttercups were have you been ?, we are already running late and you are not yet dressed up", Andrew screamed still trying to catch his breath .
"Mom is sick, I took her to the hospital last night"
Andrew looked at her, confused. "What do you mean? I thought , I mean what happened to her..."
Charlotte shook her head, too tired to explain. "Never mind, I'll tell you later. Just...just go to school without me, okay?"
"Buttercups are you insane , why would I leave you in this condition," Andrew asked dropping his backpack.
"Andrew...! , we both can't be absent at the same time, just go and make sure to feed me in about the activities today , Charlotte replied him thoughtfully.
Andrew nodded, sensing that something was wrong. "Okay if you say so , but call me if you need anything."
As Andrew left for school, Charlotte couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by what the doctor told her.
But she knew she had to stay strong, for her mother's sake.
Immediately Andrew left, Charlotte went to gather her mother's stuffs , she felt like she was walking through a nightmare, as the doctor's words earlier haunted her every step.
The doctor's words hung in the air like a challenge, each one a heavy blow to Charlotte's already fragile state.
"Your mother's condition is more severe than we initially thought. The food poisoning has triggered an underlying health issue, and we need to run some tests to determine the best course of action."
Charlotte's mind reeled as she tried to process the information. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of uncertainty, unable to find a lifeline to cling to.
As the doctor continued to explain, Charlotte's thoughts drifted back to the smell of the bad meat her mother said she handled at the stall.
She remembered the pungent aroma that had clung to her mother's clothes and skin, when she returned home.
The doctor's voice brought her back to the present, his words painting a grim picture.
"We'll need to monitor your mother's condition closely, and there's a possibility she may need surgery. I want to emphasize that the next 24 hours are crucial."
''Go gather enough cash , her treatment won't be cheap since she isn't on any insurance policy",the doctor advices her.
Charlotte felt her world spinning out of control. She couldn't lose her mother, not now, not ever. The thought sent a wave of panic through her, making her heart race and her breath catch in her throat.
She cleaned the tears on her face as she felt the weight of the world crushing on her, she picked up what everything she needs and headed back to the hospital.
Andrew walked into the classroom with a gloomy face,
"Hey Andrew..!", Avery called him.
Andrew feigned a smile as he waved at Avery and Claire.
"Hey, guys! What's up?" he asked, making his way to his seat amidst snickers from Jessica and her group.
Avery and Claire returned his greeting, chatting with him about their weekend plans. Andrew was in high spirits, laughing and joking with his friends.
Meanwhile, Ethan craned his neck, scanning the doorway for a glimpse of Charlotte.
But she was nowhere to be seen. He frowned, wondering why she wasn't coming in yet.
Just as Andrew was about to sit down, Ethan interrupted their conversation.
"Hey , Miller..!, where is your partner , Charlotte..!!"
The classroom fell silent, with all eyes turning to Ethan in surprise. Avery and Claire exchanged a concerned glance,
"Yeah Andrew , where is Charlotte, did she go somewhere ?", Claire asked
Andrew's smile immediately faltered.
"No, she won't be coming today," Andrew replied,
Ethan's brow furrowed with worry. "Is everything okay?"
He shrugged, looking around the room again as if hoping Charlotte would magically appear.
The classroom erupted into a flurry of whispers and speculation, with everyone wondering what could be wrong.
Claire's eyes met Ethan's, and she could see the concern etched on his face which he was trying to mask.
"I'll try calling her," Claire offered, pulling out her phone.
As she dialed Charlotte's number, Ethan tried to compose his self but he couldn't keep his eyes from straining on Claire who was calling her.
"Did she pick up" , Ethan asked immediately Claire turned.
Jessica was surprised at Ethan's level of concern.
"Tan why did you look so worked up , do have some business with her ?", Jessica asked with a sinister gaze.
Ethan turned and looked Jessica straight in the eyes, his gaze piercing and unyielding.
"Do I owe you any explanation?" he asked, his voice firm and even.
Jessica's smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, her expression twisting into a sneer.
"Oh sorry, I'm just curious, Tan. You're usually so aloof, but now you're suddenly invested in Charlotte's whereabouts. It's intriguing."
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in annoyance. "I decide who to worry about, Jessica. And I don't need your approval for that."
The classroom fell silent, with all eyes on the exchange between Ethan and Jessica. Claire and Avery exchanged a concerned glance, while Andrew watched with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.
"Jessica Russell..! , Do you always have to step on his nerves ?".. Julian reprimanded Jessica.
Jessica's face reddened, her eyes swelling with tears, but Ethan didn't back down. He held her gaze, his expression unyielding, until she finally looked away, her lips curling into a pathetic whisper.
"Do you always have to treat me like trash ?, Tan do I really deserve it", Jessica asked in a pleading tone but Ethan sighed and looked away.
"Jessica that's enough, ignore him", Claire stepped forward and cleaned her face.
"Don't mind him", Claire whispered into her ear and signalled Samantha and Zoey to take her away.
Andrew cleared his throat turning to where was standing but he was gone.
"Claire, Avery .., Aunt Grace is in the hospital , Charlotte took her to the hospital last night".
"What ...! ?," Claire and Avery asked in unison.
"Aunt Grace is in the hospital," he repeated, his voice firm but laced with concern. "Charlotte took her to the hospital last night."
Claire and Avery exchanged a shocked glance, their eyes wide with worry. "What happened to her?" Claire asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Andrew hesitated, collecting his thoughts before speaking.
"Food poisoning, I heard from my father , Buttercup's mom handled a bad meat at the stall, and...and something went wrong."
Avery's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears. "Oh no, that's terrible!"
The classroom remained silent, with all eyes fixed on Andrew.
Ethan was seated at the back , his expression was grim, his jaw clenched in concern.
Jessica, still reeling from her exchange with Ethan, looked pale and shaken with Samantha and Zoey consoling her .
Hazel stepped forward, her face somber. "Okay, let's take a moment to process this. Andrew, do you know how Charlotte's mom is doing?"
Andrew shook his head, his eyes clouding over. "I don't know. Buttercups didn't say anything but she was really worried, and...and I don't think it's good, she just asked me to go to school"
The classroom erupted into a flurry of whispers and concerned glances, with everyone trying to come to terms with the news.
Claire and Avery exchanged a worried glance, their minds racing with thoughts of Charlotte and her mother.
"Andrew I think we should go see her," Claire suggested picking up her bag
Avery nodded in agreement, her eyes still wide with worry. "Yes, we should go. Now."
Andrew hesitated, looking uncertain. "I don't know...Buttercups asked me to come to school, she didn't want me to worry."
But Claire was insistent. "That's exactly why we should go. She needs our support,"
"Claire...I have know Buttercups for a long time now , if she says I should go it means that she wants to be alone..", Andrew hinted them .
Claire & Avery shrugged their shoulders in disappointment, they were discouraged by Charlotte's nature .
"Okay then if you say so but if she doesn't show up tomorrow, nothing will stop us from going," Avery muttered.
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