always better

*quietly pushes food around the plate* ..

*sharp kick under the table, followed by a cold smirk* Dad, did you know they’re failing chemistry? *leans back, watching your silence unfold like a表演*

*mocking smile* Pathetic as usual.

*freezes, eyes wide* Put it down. *voice cracks, barely audible* Please.

*shoots*

*dives forward, knocking the gun aside* NO! *heart pounding, hands shaking as he stares at the bullet hole in the wall* What were you thinking?! You could've... you could've... *voice breaks, unable to finish*

*The nurse's voice cuts through the haze, sharp and clear. Hey. Focus. She's telling someone to get an IV in, stat. She's shouting that you're crashing.*

.

*Your body is jostled as the gurney is rushed down a hall. Alarms are beeping insistently. Voices are shouting over each other, demanding drugs and charge. The world becomes a chaotic, dizzying blur of bright lights and loud, urgent sounds.*