Author's POV
As the car sped toward the hospital, Sophie and Lily did everything they could to distract Ella. They talked about school, old memories, and tried to keep the atmosphere light, but the reality of Ella’s condition was heavy. Ella’s breaths were shallow and uneven, and she gripped the seat as if it was her only lifeline. 
Sophie’s eyes were filled with tears, her voice trembling as she spoke. She was trying so hard to stay strong for Ella, but it was clear that her own fear and sadness were overwhelming. “Ella, you’re going to be okay,” Sophie said, though her own voice wavered. “We’re almost there, and you’re so strong.”
Ella, her face pale and drawn, tried to muster a weak smile. “I just want to see Ethan,” she whispered. Her voice was barely audible, and the fear in her eyes was palpable. She was terrified of losing him, and the trauma of the day weighed heavily on her heart.
When they finally arrived at the hospital, Khian didn’t waste a second. He leaped from the car and rushed to the back seat, shouting for the nurses to come out and help. The emergency room was already chaotic, with police and emergency responders dealing with the aftermath of the car crash.
The nurses quickly moved Ella to a separate emergency room, and Khian, his face a mask of concern, turned to Sophie and Lily. “Stay here with Ella,” he said urgently. “I’ll go find out what’s happening with Ethan and talk to the police.”
Lily, still in shock, was frozen in place. The day’s events had clearly taken their toll on her, and she struggled to process the gravity of the situation. Khian noticed her distress and felt a pang of sympathy. He had never seen Lily cry before, and it was a heartbreaking sight.
Without a word, Khian moved to her side, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “It’s going to be okay,” he said softly, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. “We need to be strong right now. Ella needs you. We need to focus on getting through this together.”
Lily’s tears fell freely, but she clung to Khian’s comforting presence. The warmth of his hug and the sincerity of his words helped to ground her amidst the turmoil. She nodded, trying to steady her breathing. 
Before Khian released her, he gently kissed her forehead, his gesture a promise of reassurance. “Stay with Ella. I’ll handle the rest.” he said, his voice filled with determination.
Lily took a deep breath, wiping her tears away. “Okay,” she said, her voice a mix of resolve and vulnerability. “I’ll be here.”
As Khian moved off to speak with the police and gather information about Ethan, Lily and Sophie took their places by Ella’s side, their worry palpable. The hospital’s sterile environment felt cold compared to the warmth of their shared concern. 
In the midst of the chaos, the hope that everything would turn out alright was the only thing keeping them going. They all knew that the next few hours would be crucial, and they had to face them with all the strength they could muster.
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Khian paced the hospital lobby, his nerves on edge. He glanced at his watch every few seconds, feeling each tick echo his worry. The fluorescent lights above felt harsh and cold. He kept checking his phone for any updates from the doctors but saw nothing new.
Lily, though trying to stay calm, was still shaking. Sophie sat beside her, doing her best to comfort her friend while her own eyes were red and swollen from crying. The two girls clung to each other, finding solace in their shared fear.
Khian watched as a nurse emerged from the emergency room, her face serious. He hurried over, heart racing. “How is she?” he asked, his voice tight.
The nurse looked at him with a calm but concerned expression. “She’s stable for now. We’re doing everything we can. It’ll take a while before we know more.”
Khian nodded, his breath catching in his throat. He thanked the nurse and returned to Lily and Sophie, trying to mask his own anxiety. He told them what he had heard and then tried to distract them with small talk, anything to take their minds off the waiting.
Minutes turned into hours, and the hospital seemed to grow quieter as night deepened. Sophie leaned against Khian, exhausted but determined to stay awake. Lily had managed to pull herself together, but her eyes kept darting to the door, hoping for any sign of good news.
Eventually, the waiting was interrupted by a familiar face. Ella’s parents arrived, their expressions a mix of worry and exhaustion. They quickly joined Khian, Lily, and Sophie, and the small group tried to comfort each other. Khian’s mom, though she tried to stay composed, looked heartbroken.
Khian’s dad placed a reassuring hand on Khian’s shoulder. “We’ll get through this,” he said, though his voice was shaky. “We need to stay hopeful.”
Khian nodded, appreciating the support. He couldn’t shake the feeling of dread, but he knew he had to be strong for everyone else. He thought about Ethan and hoped he would pull through, knowing that the accident had been a close call.
The night dragged on with little change. Khian, Lily, and Sophie tried to offer comfort to Ella’s parents, keeping their spirits up as best they could. They spoke in hushed tones, sharing stories and memories to keep their minds off the uncertainty.
Eventually, a doctor came out to speak with them. He was tired but calm. “Ethan is stable,” he said. “He’s still in the ICU, but he’s responding to treatment. We’ll keep monitoring him closely.”
The news was a small relief, but everyone knew there was still a long road ahead. Khian felt a mix of relief and anxiety. He knew Ethan had a tough recovery ahead and that Ella would need time to process everything.
Lily, and Sophie gathered themselves and prepared for the long wait. They made sure Ella’s parents were taken care of, offering them coffee and support. The hospital became their second home for the night.