Chapter 52: "The Door I Couldn't Close"
Jasmine sat on the edge of her bed, still wearing the hoodie she'd thrown on after storming out of the hospital. She hadn't showered. She hadn't eaten. Her eyes burned from crying, but she refused to let herself fall apart completely.
Zariah's words kept repeating in her head.
"I don't want to be saved."
They had shattered her. Not because she was angry — but because she understood. She understood, and it terrified her.
She'd stared at her phone for hours, thumb hovering over Zariah's name. No messages came in. No calls. Nothing.
Just silence.
Her mom knocked gently on her door that evening. "You okay?"
Jasmine didn't answer. What could she say? That her best friend had just begged, without saying the words, to be allowed to give up?
Her mom peeked in and set a bowl of soup on the desk. "You're allowed to take care of yourself, too."
The door closed softly behind her. Jasmine didn't touch the soup.
Her mind replayed the last look on Zariah's face — not angry, not even sad, just... gone. Like she'd stopped fighting.
What if this time she doesn't come back?
That thought jolted Jasmine out of bed. Her heart pounded as she shoved her shoes on and grabbed her bag. She didn't even brush her hair.
The cab ride to the hospital felt endless. Every red light felt like a warning. Every second a countdown.
When she finally reached the room, she stood outside the door for a long moment. Her hands were shaking. She didn't know what she was walking into — silence? Anger? An empty bed?
But she couldn't turn away.
Not again.
She pushed the door open.
Zariah was lying on her side, eyes closed, breathing slow and shallow. Her face was pale, thinner than it had been a week ago.
Jasmine stepped inside quietly and pulled the chair close to the bed.
Zariah stirred, and her eyes blinked open.
For a second, neither of them said anything.
Then Jasmine whispered, "I didn't mean to leave like that."
Zariah's eyes welled up. "I didn't mean what I said."
Jasmine reached out, her fingers trembling, and gently took Zariah's hand. "Then let's not give up yet. Not on each other."
Zariah didn't answer — but she didn't pull away either.
And for now, that was enough.