Ella's POV 
The tension in the hospital room was thick, but we were trying our best to keep things light. Katherine, Khian, and I were sprawled around a small table, engaged in a heated game of Uno.
Sophie, with a dramatic sigh, threw down her cards. “Ugh, these cards are the worst! Why do I keep getting all the plus cards?”
Everyone laughed, and Katherine teased, “Maybe the game’s just against you, Sophie.”
Khian, with a playful grin, added, “Yeah, you’ve got the worst luck. We’re just trying to keep the game interesting.”
Sophie pouted, dramatically pushing her cards away. “Seriously, I’ve got like a dozen of these cards. I’m not letting you guys win this easily!”
We all laughed again as Sophie tried to play her cards while we kept pressuring her with more plus cards. The atmosphere in the room lightened, if only for a little while. The game turned into a full-blown competition, with everyone trying to outwit each other and keep the mood as upbeat as possible.
After a few rounds of laughter and playful jabs, the door opened, and a doctor, some nurses, and our mom stepped in. The room fell quiet as they approached, and the game paused.
The doctor cleared his throat and began, “I’m here to give you an update on Ethan’s condition.”
We all leaned in, anxious and hopeful. The doctor continued, “Ethan is doing okay. He’s awake, which is a positive sign. However, he’s still paralyzed and hasn’t responded to questions yet. We’re continuing to monitor him closely, and his recovery is going as expected. We’re hopeful for more improvement in the coming days.”
A collective sigh of relief swept through the room. I looked around at everyone, feeling a mix of hope and concern. Khian squeezed my hand, and I could see the tension ease slightly in his eyes. Katherine and Sophie exchanged glances of relief, and even Lily managed a small, reassuring smile.
My heart felt lighter knowing that Ethan was awake, even if he was still paralyzed. Hearing that he was stable and showing signs of progress gave me a glimmer of hope. He was my Ethan, and seeing him improve, even slowly, was a huge relief. I felt tears well up in my eyes, not of sadness but of relief and hope.
“Thank you, Doctor,” I said, my voice shaky but grateful. “It’s good to hear that he’s making progress, even if it’s slow.”
The doctor nodded. “We’ll keep you updated on any changes. For now, try to stay positive and give Ethan the support he needs.”
As the medical team left, the room’s mood shifted again, this time to one of cautious optimism. The game of Uno was set aside as we all took a moment to absorb the news.
Sophie finally broke the silence, her tone light despite the seriousness of the news. “Well, at least the game was a good distraction. Maybe next time, I’ll finally get a winning hand!”
Everyone laughed softly, the earlier lightness returning, if only a little. Katherine gave Sophie a playful nudge. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your chance. For now, let’s just be grateful for the good news about Ethan.”
I looked at my friends they're like my family, feeling a mix of gratitude and worry. And knowing that Ethan was making progress was a huge relief, and I clung to that hope as we settled back into our seats. 
As we settled back, a quiet calm fell over the room. The news about Ethan’s condition had brought a sense of relief, though the weight of what lay ahead still hung over us. 
I glanced at Khian, who was staring at the floor, lost in thought. Katherine and Sophie were talking quietly, their voices a soft murmur. Lily sat next to me, her eyes reflecting the same mixture of hope and worry that I felt.
Khian suddenly broke the silence, his voice rough. “I need to go get some air,” he said, standing up. “I’ll be right back.”
Before anyone could say anything, he walked out of the room, leaving us behind. I understood why he needed to get away; the strain was visible in every line of his face.
Sophie looked at me, her expression serious now. “Is he okay?” she asked.
I nodded. “He’s just overwhelmed. We all are.”
Lily reached out and squeezed my hand. “We should let him have some space. He’s been carrying a lot lately.”
Katherine gave me a reassuring smile. “Why don’t we take a little break too? It might help to clear our heads.”
I agreed, and we decided to step out into the hallway. As we walked, I noticed that the tension was still palpable, despite the doctor’s positive update. We found a small waiting area with some chairs, and we all took a seat.
Sophie, trying to lighten the mood again, started talking about how Ethan had always been terrible at Uno, even before the accident. “Remember that time he tried to bluff his way out of a draw four card? We all saw through it, but he insisted he had a strategy.”
Katherine laughed, a bit of the earlier tension easing. “Yeah, and he was so serious about it. It was hard not to laugh.”
I joined in, chuckling at the memory. “He always took games so seriously. It was part of what made him so much fun to be around.”
Just then, Khian walked back into the room. He looked a bit more composed but still tired. “Sorry about that,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Needed a moment to myself.”
I gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s okay. We all need a break sometimes.”
Katherine gave him a warm smile. “We were just sharing some old stories about Ethan. It helped a bit.”
Khian sat down, joining us in the small, informal circle. “I’m glad. It’s good to remember the good times, especially now.”
As we continued chatting, the door to the waiting area opened, and Ella’s mom walked in with a tray of drinks and snacks. “Thought you might like a little something,” she said with a gentle smile. “How’s everyone holding up?”
“Better,” I said, taking a cup of tea from her. “Thank you.”
Ella’s mom nodded and took a seat with us. “It’s important to take care of yourselves too. Ethan will need all of us to stay strong.”
Mom was right, maybe I should trust whatever the outcome flip, and prepared myself to it.