Time's Ticking.

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The last period has always been the favorite class the quartet ever have in their schedule. Ms. Li always seem to know how to cheer them up without the teacher herself even knowing. JiJi seemed to even brighten up more as they approach the music room.

"Good afternoon everyone! To start right off the bat, we will be tackling on the 20th Century Music Styles--."

Thud!

"JiJi!"

All heads turned to the back where the said girl was now on the ground.

"Shit, JiJi, holy fuck." John ran to her side, immediately checking for any injuries.

"Mr. Rivers, please take her to the infirmary, I'll follow shortly." Ms. Li clapped her hands together for the students. "Everyone, please settle down! Do not crowd over please!"

John threw a quick worried glance to Ryan before picking JiJi up and walking towards the door. Ryan stood up and went to JiJi's seat and took her back, bringing it back to his seat. Mika tried to settle her breathing and racing heart as Ms. Li left and the rest of the class started whispering amongst each other.

'What the hell was that? What the hell just happened? Is she alright? Oh my god.'

☆

When Ms. Li and John came back 20 minutes later, the class continued. Mika and Ryan followed John as the boy went back to his seat with an unreadable expression, the two looked at each other before facing back to Ms. Li. The entire time for the rest of the class, Mika just kept fiddling her thumbs and checking the clock that was on the wall above the door.

Krrriiiinnnngg!!

Mika immediately started throwing her stuff in her bag but John was already out of the door. She watched the door slowly closing again but Ryan was soon at the door stopping it, he paused and looked back to Mika giving her a worried look. Mika snapped away from her reverie and closed her bag. Ms. Li stopped her at the front. Mika looked back to Ryan if he was still at the door, he was, at the side waiting for her and letting the students pass.

"Ms. West, I know you are in a hurry but I called your mother to pick you four up, you lot might be staying for a while cause we'll be talking." Ms. Li said.

"Yes, of course Ms. Li." Mika shifted her bag higher up her shoulder in nervousness and look at Ryan. Ms. Li placed a gentle hand on the bag strap, Mika looked back up at her.

"Take care of her." The middle aged woman's warm honey brown eyes gazed at her own turquoise eyes with depths of wisdom, care and concern. Mika nodded slowly before Ms. Li let her go. She slowly walked backwards before turning and walked up towards Ryan and together they both fast walk through the sea of students, avoiding each and everyone of them pouring all out to the battlefield in the war called dismissal. They finally got to the infirmary and in the room they see a still unconscious JiJi with John by her side. Elena was talking to Nurse Ren quietly at the corner, Coach Ren was also nearby. The three adults turned to them coming in the room. Mika went to her mum as Ryan went to his best friends.

"Mika." Elena breathed out.

"Mum." Mika greeted back, the two hugged.

"Stay here with them. I'm called to speak with Ms. Li and principal Mae." Elena kissed her head. "I'll be right back okay?"

"Okay." Mika whispered back. Elena gave her a small smile holding her hand a little tighter before letting go and went to acknowledge Ryan and John, whispering to them where she's going. Mika went to the trio's side as the adults left.

"She doing alright?" Mika asked after a brief minute of quiet. John sniffled before nodding. A groan emitted from JiJi's lips and she started to stir. She slowly opened her eyes only to meet with 3 pairs of eyes looking back at her.

"Hey." She hoarsed out.

"God, JiJi." John breathed before lunging in to hug her. JiJi laughed lightly before hugging the boy back. Ryan visibly relaxed and let out a sigh and Mika smiled at the two. As John pulled away, he placed a hand on her forehead and immediately pulled back like as if he just touched fire. "God, why didn't you say anything? You're so stupid."

"Sorry." JiJi gave an awkward smile. John positioned himself properly on the bed, sitting, as JiJi curled up to his side and went back to sleep. John sighed as he leaned back and started brushing her hair softly.

"She tends to be like this sometimes." Ryan whispered. Mika looked at him. "Even for work. She doesn't say anything until her own body does the talking."

"She'll be alright." Mika tried to assure but she herself sounded unsure and she doesn't know why. She didn't really wanna pry anymore so she remained quiet as of the rest of the time they waited for Elena to come back.

☆

That night has got to be the most horrid night Mika has ever experienced. Elena was out, in the hospital again doing some business as she said it but waking up to a wailing John and a frantically shouting Ryan was alarming to Mika and she came bolting out of her room and barged into the boys'. There she saw JiJi in spasms on the floor. She saw not only vomit but blood as well beside her head. John was holding her gently yet surely to avoid any injuries. Ryan was on the phone for an ambulance. Everything was a blur and Mika didn't really have the time to settle into one moment. Everything just flashed by and before she knows it, they're in the waiting room of San Jo Hospital. Mika looked up to see her own mother approaching them. She stood up followed by the two boys.

"I am a retired nurse from this hospital but I did try my best to pull a few strings to let me have a bit of access." Elena sighed. "JiJi is stable, she's asleep for now but I'm sorry, they're not allowing visitors in. So, you kids need to go home."

John took a step back as Ryan sighed. Mika turned to them and saw the look of devastation behind their eyes but at the same time the knowing idea that the can't do anything about it. Ryan slowly nodded looking up to the Wests with teary eyes. "Yeah, yes of course. We'll uh, we'll visit tomorrow."

Ryan placed a hand behind John who was just looking at the floor. Elena gave them a reassuring smile before the two boys turned. Mika watched them for a minute before turning to her mother. Elena knew that her daughter was reading her. "I'm gonna be talking to a few doctors. Go home, make sure the boys will be alright. I'll come home in a bit."

Mika stared at her mother with a soft look of distraught. Sure, she and JiJi have been friends for over just half a year only but she felt a connection with the girl. JiJi was outgoing, smart and just a bundle of joy that she never asked for but ended up loving. She was the best friend she never knew she needed. She was there on her journey of recovery without even herself knowing she was in the road of recovery, both of them were. Despite being a hyper kid, JiJi's kind and gentle. She encouraged her and pushed her to her limits which made Mika grateful. And yet here she stands, in the waiting room of a hospital for her, the same room she stood when her father was on his deathbed.

Tears pricked her eyes from the thought of her father. Losing someone, she knows it well. Her mother knows it well. They boys knows it well. Hell, most people in the trio's lives are losing people. But they had each other. And now remembering their looks when they were told that that couldn't see her for now, they both looked lost. Just the thought of JiJi not being around ached Mika's heart. Just the thought of losing a family, breaks her heart, made her train of thought that someday, her own mother will be gone too. Mika shook her head lightly from all the overwhelming thoughts. She looked at her mother with tears in her eyes.

"I love you mum." She whispered. Elena cooed cupping her daughters cheeks and then kissed her forehead.

"I love you too sweetheart. Now take care of the boys for me alright?" Mika nodded with a sniff as she slowly turned and started walking away. "Take care of yourself too. Please don't hurt yourselves."

Mika paused and gave her mother one last grim look before turning back to leave the room.