The first sensation Jason felt was something tightly squeezing his arm. He let out a muted groan of annoyance and tried to shake off whatever was constricting around his arm so tight. Try as he might, his body refused to respond properly. He was so weak and tired, all he wanted right now was to go back to sleep. It wasn’t until the echo of a familiar voice managed to cut through the fog in his head.

“Jason!....please… wake…Don’t….me!”

The voice was so quiet, but also so familiar. His brain refused to put any thoughts together. He was filled with relief as the pressure on his arm eased. That was when he noticed his hand being squeezed tight. The sound of machines beeping was the next noise he heard and each one was like a spike being driven into his skull.

“Ugh… my head,”

Jason groaned in a raspy whisper. His throat was so dry, and his jaw ached. But that pain was nothing compared to the searing pain in his chest with each heartbeat, as slow and steady as it was now. Before he could gather his thoughts, a shout came from across the room, making his ears ring even worse.

“Nurse! Nurse!”

Twenty minutes later, Jason was propped up in his hospital bed, his mom clutching his hand tightly like he was going to vanish if she let go.

“Mom, seriously. I’m alright,” he tried to reassure her.

"You’re not alright, Jason! I found you collapsed on the floor, and you refuse to tell me why!" Katia said loudly, her blood shot eyes welling up with tears again. Jason let out a sigh, gently squeezing his mom’s hand back.

“I’ve already told you, I don’t remember,” he said, trying to calm her nerves, but it only made her worry more.

Thankfully, the doctor interrupted their conversation as he entered the room.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Merris,” the doctor greeted warmly. “I’m Dr. Lee, and I’ll be overseeing your care. Your mother informed us she found you unconscious on the floor. Can you tell me what you remember leading up to that point?”

Dr.Lee appeared to be in his late thirties, and was clean cut with some not so subtle Asian features. His light tan skin and almond-shaped eyes were standout traits, along with his jet-black hair. He took a seat on a nearby stool, ready to write a few notes about what happened on his chart.

“Like I was telling the nurses, I really can’t remember much. I just felt a bit off, and then everything got hazy,” Jason explained as best he could, seeming to struggle to piece together what happened.

“Hmm, I see. Well, when the paramedics arrived, your vitals were mostly stable, which is a good sign. It could be a few different things. You’re young and generally healthy, so we can rule out a lot of common issues that affect older or less healthy folks. But when someone faints without obvious cause, it could indicate more serious conditions,” the doctor explained, causing Katia to squirm in her seat.

“Like what, doctor?” she asked nervously, but the doctor just shrugged slightly. His gaze shifted to look over at her with a calm smile.

“I don’t like to make guesses without any proof, but the usual suspects could be high blood pressure or anemia. I’d like to run a complete pathology to get a better idea. Can you tell me if there’s a history of high blood pressure or diabetes in your family?”

The doctor turned to Katia, and she shook her head slightly.

“Well, as far as I knew, his father was more or less very healthy for most of his life. He was tragically only thirty-five when he passed away from cancer several years ago. And my husband never knew his biological parents, so I can’t give you any info on them, even if I wanted to.”

The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy with sadness.

“I understand. I’m sorry to hear that, Ms. Merris. And what about you and your family? Have you had any health scares in the past?” The doctor spoke gently, trying to ease the tension in the room.

Katia still wore a concerned look as she shook her head.

“No, thankfully, besides my dad dealing with high cholesterol, there’s nothing that comes to mind.”

Dr. Lee nodded, jotting down a few notes.

“Alright, in situations like this, I recommend what I mentioned earlier: a comprehensive pathology and perhaps a physical, just to be safe since we’re lacking family history from his father’s side,” the doctor added with a reassuring smile.

“Hey mom, can you go grab me some water real quick? I want to ask the doctor a couple more things,” Jason interjected.

Katia’s eyes went wide with a hint of hurt as she glanced at her son. He looked back at her with a slight frown, and his eyes gave her a silent plea. Though reluctant, she nodded slowly.

“Of course, sweetheart,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze before she rose from the chair beside his bed and stepped out of the room.

After Katia left and the door clicked shut, the atmosphere shifted between the doctor and Jason.

“Listen, Dr. Lee... My mom’s been getting the short end of the stick most of her life, and I can’t bear to see her worrying any more than she already does. So, as a medical professional, I need you to keep this between us,” Jason said, his tone dead serious. The doctor nodded in understanding, even giving a small smile.

“I completely understand. You’re entitled to your privacy and nothing you don’t want shared with others will leave our records. What’s really going on Jason?” Dr. Lee clicked his pen a few times and got ready to take down the unfiltered truth.

Jason opened up about the overbearing pain and burning sensation in his chest, the weight pushing down on him, even his recent breakup. Dr. Lee listened attentively, considering the symptoms. His pen scrawled across the paper quickly as he wrote everything down. He told Jason that it was probably due to high blood pressure and a combination of stress which caused Jason to have a minor heart attack or stroke. However, he noted that since Jason was young and in decent shape, he luckily didn’t succumb to what usually killed older people.

“I highly recommend that you go see a cardiologist as soon as possible though. Let the nurses know if you experience any more pain.” Dr. Lee closed the folder on his lap and stood up from his stool.

“Thanks, doc. You can let my mom back in when you go,” Jason said gratefully.

As Dr. Lee opened the door, Katia let out a surprised yelp and stumbled into the room. She had been leaning against the door, trying to catch any snippet of the conversation. She fell right into the doctor’s arms, who quickly caught the woman.

“Whoa there, are you alright?” he asked, holding onto her as her body pressed against his chest.

Katia looked up at Dr.Lee, her face a bright red, hazel eyes glimmering up at him.

“Y-yeah, I am okay. I’m so sorry…” The two locked eyes for a moment before they quickly separated and Dr. Lee cleared his throat.

“Ahem, good, good,” he said, giving her a small reassuring smile before filling Katia in on what was going to happen next.

“We’re gonna keep Jason overnight and run some tests just to be safe. If all looks good, he’ll be out tomorrow morning. If you need me for anything, just buzz the nurses. I’ll swing by tomorrow as well, to clear his discharge paperwork.”

With that, he nodded politely before heading out the door.

Katia smiled shyly and waved goodbye to the doctor, for maybe a few seconds too many. Eventually she hurried back to her son’s bedside and was back to clutching his hand tightly. But Jason was giving her a rather strained look, like he was suspicious of her.

“What?” she said, still feeling some warmth left in her cheeks.

They talked a bit about what happened, as Katia couldn’t resist prying for details about his private chat with the doctor. Being the protective son he was, Jason kept most of the information to himself. He was determined to keep his mom as blissfully ignorant as he could. It was his mess and he would take care of it, even if it put his life at risk.

On the second floor of the tattoo parlor, Jillian had finally passed out and was snoring away on Mika’s bed. Relieved the overly upset redhead was finally asleep, Mika stepped out of the room and took a moment to catch her breath. She needed a drink more than ever now. From the start, she knew that this whole thing with Jason would not end well. Getting what information she could out of the distraught woman, it was clear both were in the wrong. Though Jillian might've gone a little too far with some comments. Mika was still, of course, firmly on her friend’s side.

She would need to have a chat with Jason. All this bullshit drama was now affecting her personally, and she wasn’t about to let it continue much longer. Her phone had been buzzing like crazy while she was comforting Jillian, but she’d been ignoring it. Checking it now, she saw she had a bunch of missed messages waiting for her.

Ginny: Hey Mika, is Jill with you? She wasn’t at home when I checked her room.

Ginny: We found her phone but no Jillian.

Ginny: Could you please let Jill know to come home ASAP if you see her. It’s urgent.

Ginny: Jason got taken to the hospital, so we’re all planning on heading there to visit him. Just waiting for Jill.

Ginny: Mika, sorry to bother you if you’re busy, but we are getting very worried. We can’t find Jill anywhere, and we’re starting to panic a bit. Please give me a call when you can, even if it’s to tell me she’s not there. Thank you so much dear, and sorry again for bothering you.

Mika frowned at the messages. What the fuck actually happened? Did Jillian stab Jason in a fit of rage or something? Was her bestie now a wanted criminal? Thoughts of skipping town with her began creeping into her mind. If Jillian was hiding from the law, they’d likely raid Mika’s place first. She knew that a lot of the guys that came in here tended to carry things that were less than legal. It would be a serious pain in the ass for her.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

She tried pushing those irrational thoughts aside. She tapped Ginny’s number to call, holding the phone to her ear. It barely rang once before Ginny answered in a strained voice.

“Mika, thank goodness! Jillian left her phone behind, and I’ve been freaking out.” She sounded like she was on the verge of breaking down.

“Yeah, sorry for not responding sooner. Jill is here with me. She showed up a few hours ago, pretty shaken up. But she’s resting now.”

“Oh, thank goodness she’s safe,” Ginny let out the breath that felt like she’d been holding onto for ages. “What’s got her so upset now? Did she find out about Jason already?”

Mika chewed her lip, considering how to respond to Ginny’s question.

“Uhhh, no, I don’t think so. What’s wrong with him anyway?” Mika wanted the info before giving away any more details of her own.

“I see… Well, from what his mother told me, she found him out cold on the floor and had him rushed to the hospital. She texted a bit ago saying he’s awake and seems to be back to normal, thankfully.”

Ginny’s words made Mika breathe a sigh of relief, happy her friend wasn’t a murderer.

“We’re heading over there in like thirty minutes to visit. Can you ask if she wants to come?”

Mika hesitated before speaking.

“Um, she’s asleep, and I don’t think it would be good to wake her up right now. Probably best if you go without her for now. I will tell her when she wakes up.” There was a pause before Ginny spoke again.

“O-oh… well thank you for taking care of my troublesome daughter. Please, don’t hesitate to call if you need anything. Good bye, dear.”

“Yeah, will do. See you later, Mrs.L.”

With that, the call ended, and Mika let out another groan of frustration. Jillian was going to owe her so fucking much after all this.

The rest of the day went on as normally as it could. Jason had a few visitors—Ginny, June, and the two younger Lins children. Lonnie hopped up on Jason’s bed and bragged about how high he jumped off the curb on his bike.

“An-and then, my friend, he tried ta go off the other curb but he got askared and he fell over.”

“Oh no, did he get hurt?”

Lonnie nodded emphatically to Jason’s question.

“He scrapeded his hands and was crying. His mom came out and carried him to tha bathroom an put ouch water on it.”

Jason raised a brow at this.

“Ouch water?”

Ginny giggled and chimed in,“That’s what we call Hydrogen Peroxide.”

He didn’t mind placating the small boy, as long as they weren’t screaming little brats, he liked kids.

They all hung out for a bit, but the little ones started to get antsy, stuck in the cramped room with no toys but the fancy machines they weren’t allowed to touch. They decided it was time to let Jason rest after the third time Lonnie had to be told to not touch the large Gameboy attached to the pole, aka the IV drip.

After exchanging goodbyes, and getting a hug from Ginny, June, and a surprisingly tight hug from Lonnie, the visitors left the hospital. Katia walked them out at Ginny’s suggestion. It was pretty clear to Katia why Ginny wanted her to come along. When Jillian hadn’t arrived with the family, Katia knew something was off. Jason’s face had shown mild surprise and worry when Ginny arrived, and there was a hint of sadness behind his smile when he realized Jillian wasn’t with them.

Ginny handed Calvin to June and told her to go get the kids in the car while she talked to Katia a bit.

“Did something happen between them again?” Katia preemptively questioned her friend. Ginny let out a sigh and nodded.

“I believe so. I only just got a hold of Jill’s friend, Mika, before we came here. And I don’t know exactly what happened, but she is staying there for now.”

Katia deeply frowned for a moment, as she put two and two together.

“So, you think they had another fight just before this happened?”

Ginny nodded sadly.

“I wish I knew why they are suddenly clashing again so badly. Everything seemed so good for a few days.”

There was a long silence between the mothers before Katia spoke up again.

“Well… I should get back to Jason in case he needs me. See you later, Ginny.” Katia managed to keep her composure as she bid farewell to her best friend.

“O-oh, okay, bye Kat.”

The sudden and blunt goodbye left Ginny a bit stunned. They almost always parted with at least a hug, but it seemed things were more off than she realized. Not sure if she would react the same if one of her kids was in the hospital. So she decided she would give her friend some space to calm down after this incident.

As Katia was walking down the hospital halls, a strange, unfamiliar anger started bubbling up inside her. Her son was in the hospital, and the only variable for its cause she could see was Jillian and him fighting. A fight so bad that it led to Jason collapsing. Her only child, the one light left in her life, was in such distress. Since Jason arrived, all his trouble and stress seemed to revolve around Jillian. Just what was she doing to her sweet innocent son that would drive him to such pain that he ends up unconscious on the floor? Katia couldn’t help but clench her jaw and fists, nails digging into her palms. Things had gone too far this time. It was time to put a stop to it before she lost her son as well.

Once Katia found herself outside the room door, she took a slow, deep breath. Once back in Jason’s room, she switched back into caring mom mode, determined to keep her attention on him. The overwhelming desire to shield her son from any more pain filled her. Her and Ginny’s plan to play matchmaker was over as far as she was concerned.

As night approached, Jason tried to insist his mom should head home and get some rest, but she vehemently refused. Content to sleep in the recliner next to the bed, they both tried to get as much rest as possible as the TV lulled them to sleep.

Jillian suddenly woke up for just a moment. It was pitch black in the room and she could hear someone sleeping next to her.

“Was it all a dream?”

Her thoughts lied to her as she scooted closer to the sleeping form.

She prayed she would be laying next to Jason. She reached a tentative hand out and grabbed what was obviously a small, soft arm. There was a sudden snort and grumbling.

“Nngg, Jill.. you awake… you alright?”

It was Mika’s voice.

“Y-yeah…sorry for waking you. Go back to sleep,” Jill said before rolling over and pulling her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

She closed her eyes tight and tried to force herself to fall back asleep quickly. Yet her thoughts kept her awake. She shifted in an attempt to find a comfort that didn’t exist. So, for an unknown amount of time, she rolled around in bed before finally passing back out. All the while a dead awake Mika stared at the darkness, trying not to murder her sad friend that continually woke her up till she just gave up.

The next morning, Jason was chomping at the bit to get out of this small room. Practically begging to be let out first thing. After a quick check-up, the doctor came back in to sign his discharge paperwork.

“How are you feeling this morning, Mr. Merris?” Dr. Lee asked cheerfully.

Jason just stared at the man with tired eyes. “I've been better, but I am ready to go home please.”

The doctor chuckled softly but nodded.

“As are you, Ms.Merris? I wish I would have known you were staying, I would have had them bring you a spare bed,” Dr. Lee said with a charming smile, which Katia returned with a sweet one of her own.

“Oh, it’s no problem. I slept alright. I appreciate your concern and you taking care of my son Dr. Lee.”

The two locked eyes, just staring at one another for a moment.

“Please call me Chris, and there is no need to thank me. I'm just doing my job.”

“Still, thank you, Chris. You have been wonderful,” Katia said with a soft giggle.

Neither seemed to be able to wipe the smiles from their faces. Jason had to clear his throat loudly to get the attention back to where it should be. Like snapping out of a trance, the doctor looked back at Jason.

“Oh right, ahem, sorry.” Chris quickly finished the discharge paperwork after getting put back on track.

Thankfully, the process was quick and Jason was out of there in no time, as promised. Soon enough, the two were back home, safe and sound. He let out a long groan as he stretched, and rubbed his eyes.

“I need to go lay down some more. Those hospital beds were torture—I barely got any sleep,” Jason said with a long yawn.

“Sure thing, hun. I’ll whip us up some breakfast when you wake up,” Katia said, giving him a peck on the cheek before he headed off to his room to rest.

Jason locked his door as he entered and rubbed the back of his sore neck. His entire body ached in some way. It was like his fucking blood hurt at this point as everywhere felt tender. He looked down at his bed that was still a mess and had the pillows seperated for both him and Jillian. His lips twisted in a scowl. Every little thing reminded him of her and it was getting rather unpleasant.

Before Jason was even able to take off his shirt, there was a hard knock on his window. His head quickly snapped to the sound, and his eyes widened in shock. His heart beat rapidly and painfully.

“There's no way she’s here, I can’t believe it… but who else would be knocking on that window?”

His thoughts went wild. His chest felt overly tight with his quick beating heart. It wasn’t the burning, short of breath feeling from yesterday, but more like his heart complaining about working overtime. His face twisted in discomfort as the knocking sounded again, a little harder this time. Part of him wanted to ignore it so badly, but he couldn’t just ignore it.

If she was here...

“Then maybe…” He grabbed the pull string and pulled the blinds up. His eyes bulged in pure disbelief at what he saw standing outside.

“Mika?! What the hell are you doing here?” Jason asked in stunned surprise, staring at the small Asian woman outside his window, bundled up in a thick sweater against the morning chill.

One glance at her told him everything – the tired eyes, the bloodshot whites, the deep scowl – all the signs of a sleepless night.

“Open the window and get your ass out here,” Mika stated, her tone harsh.

“What? Why? Answer my question,” Jason demanded, keeping the window closed.

Mika fixed him with a harsh glare, like it was his fault she was standing out in the cold.

“Because we need to talk about our shared problem, that’s why.”

There was no room for argument, but Jason did anyway.

“Look, I just got back from the hospital and I’m exhausted, so...”

The scowl that somehow deepened on Mika’s face spoke volumes, cutting him off without her saying a word. Jason let out a heavy sigh. It was more than obvious what this was all about. He could have simply told her no and tried his best to ignore her. But something told him that might end with something or someone being broken. Reaching out he pushed the window open. Carefully stepping out the window and closing it most of the way, he followed Mika to her car parked about a block away.

“How long have you been waiting?” he asked curiously.

“Long enough,” she replied, not amused by the question.

It seemed like she was far from in the mood to chat.

“You drive. I might pass out if I drive so don’t wreck my car,” she said, tossing him the keys. Jason raised an eyebrow with a look of confusion.

“Uhhh,” he started.

“Just follow the GPS,” she said, explaining quickly as she let herself flop into the passenger seat.

Jason scratched the back of his head, still feeling a bit confused, before giving up with a shrug. He had come this far already, there was no sense in going back. At least he told himself that. So he hopped into the tiny hatchback’s driver’s seat, feeling cramped like a sardine as he adjusted the seat to accommodate his long legs.

He took a second to look over at Mika. She had already reclined the seat all the way back with her head tilted to the side, a thick blanket wrapped around her like a cocoon. Checking the built in GPS, he found the destination already set and ready to go. Not entirely sure what was going on, something inside told him to just go with it, for now at least.

He started the car, and drove off, silently apologizing to his mother for leaving without a word.