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Upon entering the room where Maya resides, I promise myself that I won't ask her questions and overwhelm her. Surely she was already scared to be in an unknown place with people constantly hovering around, so questioning wouldn't help. The nurse pushes back a curtain and Riley takes three long strides, thrusting herself into Maya's embrace. Clearly weakened by her loss of so much oxygen, Maya lies very still and watches us as we all pull chairs up to her bedside. She stares blankly at our inquisitive expressions, suddenly raising her eyebrows and gasping.

"She is still a bit confused from the medicine we gave her." The nurse then says, forcefully taking Maya's arm and putting a pulse oximeter on her finger. I turn to see her blood oxygen levels appear on the monitor, meanwhile Maya mutters incoherently and tries to pull away. Riley eases her back and chimes with gentle words, desperately trying to calm her friend.

Talking to myself, I read her oxygen levels out loud. "Ninety-three percent, hmm...That's still kinda low..." Turning and facing the nurse, I continue. "Are you continuing to administer oxygen?" I ask, trying not to sound too cocky.

"No sir. She's in a very stable condition and her oxygen levels have been increasing since she's arrived here."

"But her airways could still be-"

"We have already removed the tube from and her trachea appears to have no damage. So it is highly unlikely that her airways will swell and shut."

"Are you sure?" I ask, knowing that my protective instincts are getting a bit obnoxious.

"Yes, I am sure. Actually, may I ask who you are?" The nurse replies, clearly irritated that I'm advising her on how to do her job.

"I'm Lucas Friar. I'm Maya's-" I pause and think of what to say. What am I to her? Should I say friend? Brother?

"He's Maya's friend. He's the one who dragged her out of the burning building, actually." Farkle then says, nodding his head and smiling. I shoot him a glance of embarrassment, not wanting to receive any attention for what I did.

"Wow! You did?" The nurse asks while fluffing the pillows behind Maya's back.

I place my hand on my neck, rubbing it and staring at the tile floor. "Y-yeah, but only because it's my job, not because of, um, any other reason than that." I play it off, fumbling with the button on my jean jacket's sleeve cuffs. The nurse eyes me with a strange expression, then gives an extremely forced smile. "Well, I'll leave you all to visit now." She says, promptly exiting the room.

Just then, Katy and Shawn come rushing inside. Katy wears her pajamas and Shawn's hair is unkempt, clearly signifying that they had both been sleeping. Shawn breathes heavily and avoids eye contact with anyone, doing nothing but watch Maya with a sad expression. Katy however, strokes Maya's hair and hugs her tightly. Farkle, Riley, and I manage to stay silent amongst everything going on. It was difficult for everyone to see her this way- talking about it would only make it hurt more.

XXX

Hours later, the sun began to rise and more people flooded through the halls and rooms of the hospital. Utterly exhausted, Riley had fallen asleep in the chair with her legs curled against her chest.

"I better take Riley home." Farkle says, gently unfolding Riley from her previous tangled position, and helping her stand in her drowsy state. "F-Farkle...I have to stay with...with Maya..." She protests and slurs her words, but Farkle dismisses it and walks her out of the room.

"Nurse, when will she be ready to go home?" Katy asks, sitting on Maya's bedside as she sleeps soundly. Biting the tip of a pen, the nurse contemplates this question. "Within the next few days. We just want to make sure she hasn't suffered any other injuries or damage because of the smoke inhalation." Pausing to flip up a paper on her clip board, she reads something silently. "At the rate she is recovering, I see no reason why she won't be able to go home tomorrow."

Oh thank heavens, I hate to see Maya in this dull and draining environment.

Shawn then walks up to his wife and takes her hand, motioning towards the exit of the room. Katy reluctantly stands, not wanting to leave Maya's side despite the assurance that she is in a steady condition. I watch silently from my seat near the edge of her bed, as Katy and Shawn bid me farewell and mutter their thanks to the nurse. Soon I am alone, with nothing but the sound of Maya's breathing. Watching her with the most pathetic expression of adoration, I thank God nobody can see me in this state. Scooting my chair closer, I dare to slip her pale, cold hand into my own.

Suddenly, I hear urgent footsteps and the entrance door rip open.

"Maya! Oh my God!"

Josh.

He rushes to her side as I release my hand from her's, sliding backwards in my chair and not knowing what action to take. Ignoring me completely, Josh holds Maya's hand against his chest and leans over her in a possessive way. I swallow audibly as awkwardness consumes me, just in time to Josh to turn and stare at me dead in the eyes.