5.

"What did you guys talk about?" Leia's mother asked as she peeled an apple by her side.

Leia's eyes followed the movement of the knife as the skin of the apple separated from the meat.

"Nothing much."

"Hmm, then why is it that I can't sit in and listen?"

He thought you abused me, Leia thought in her head but she chose not to reply.

"Oh right, there was someone searching for you while you were still sleeping." Leia's mother said.

"Who?" It couldn't be anyone from school. She didn't have friends. And anyway, the people in that school will rejoice upon hearing her near death experience.

"It's the girl you saved. Her family wants to say thank you for saving her. They have been coming in since you were brought in. They told me to inform them when you are awake. Do you want to see them?"

Leia stared into empty space in contemplation. Thank you? They wanted to thank her? The girl who wanted to step into the traffic light on purpose so that she would get knocked down and die. The girl who accidentally saved someone while trying to achieve her goal. She didn't deserve the thanks. Not when she did not save the little girl with a pure heart. Leia kept silent for so long that her mother took her silence as rejection.

"If you don't want to, I will tell them no."

"It's not that…" Leia trailed off. "I don't know if I deserve their gratitude."

"Why not?"

Leia hesitated to reply. What could she say? The fact that her action of saving the little girl was just an accident? That she truly meant to be hit by a car? And it just so happened that she saved a girl by accident? No. She could never tell anyone. Eventually she settled for an inconspicuous answer. "Everyone would have done the same."

Her mother placed the apple she had skinned and the fruit knife she was holding on a plate that was on a table that was connected to Leia's bed. She placed her hand on top of Leia's.

"Everyone would have done the same, but it was you who stepped up. I won't force you if you don't want to, but don't reject them for such a reason."

Her mother's hand was warm. Leia felt comfort and support from such warmth. The warmth of a human body, the warmth that you can only receive from another person. If she had told her mother about the bullying, perhaps she would hold her hand like this too. If she had felt the support of another person then, would she have attempted such drastic measures?

Right then and there, Leia knew that she would tell Dr. Jones to stay with her as she tells her mother about the bullying. But not at the moment. She didn't want to ruin the moment with such things. For now, she had to tell her mother her answer.

"I will meet them, Mum. But only if you are here with me."

______________________

"You must be Leia Walker." The owner of the voice was a man in his forties. His piercing grey eyes stared at Leia with an unreadable emotion. He emitted such an oppressing aura that Leia couldn't help but retreated a little. She clutched the bedding under the covers tight. She didn't want to show the people in front of her that she was intimidated.

Leia Looked at her mother who stood on the right side of her bed. Her mother smiled reassuringly. Seeing the support, Leia looked at the family of three in front of her.

"Yes, I am Leia."

Next to the man was a lady with brown hair and green eyes. Unlike the man, she looked at Leia with warm eyes. The lady was holding the hand of a little girl with blonde hair and grey eyes.

"I am Lauren Harries, and this is my husband, Gabriel Harries." Lauren introduced herself and her husband. She then gestured to the small girl. "And this is Estelle."

"Is she…?" Leia trailed off.

Lauren's eyes soften. "The girl you saved. Thank you so much for saving her."

Was it okay for her to receive this gratitude? Leia hesitated to answer Lauren. As if sensing her hesitation, Estelle walked towards Leia. When she reached the edge of the bed, Estelle gestured towards Leia's hand. When Leia did not move her hand, Estelle patted the bed instead.

"Leia, thank you for saving me."

The soft voice from the little girl touched Leia so much that tears threatened to come out from her eyes. Warmth. That's what she was feeling. How long has it been since she received such warmth? All these times all she felt was pain, despair and hatred. Leia bit her lips to stop the tears.

"Anyway, we really want to thank you. We will cover the hospital fees, but on top of that, we want to do something else too." Gabriel said.

"What do you mean by that?" Mother asked.

"We want to make sure that she receives support and help during her recovery as much as possible. We heard that Leia is attending Graham High. Coincidentally, our son attends that school as well. We want to propose for our son to drive your daughter to and from school." Lauren continued for her husband.

"Why are you making such an offer?" Mother asked, spectical.

"Forgive me for being rude. We know that you are from a single income family. Frankly speaking, there is no way that you can cater to your daughter while being on the clock. We think that it will be more convenient for you and Leia through this arrangement."

"I cannot deny that. But it is a bit too much."

"Nonsense," Lauren denied. "You are in this situation now because you saved our daughter's life. It is not too much."

After hearing the conversation, Leia could not help but to pipe in.

"It will certainly help us…" she whispered. "But… your son, is he okay with it?"

Leia was cautious when she mentioned the Harries' son. There was no way that a student did not know the terror she was subjected with. That would mean that their son was either one of her bullies, or the one watching the bullying.

If she could, she would love to reject their offers. Yet they were right. Her injuries would mean lack of mobility and she would need assistance to move around. Her mother would certainly be more than willing to help, but she did not want to worry her mother. She did not want to become anymore of a burden for her. And it was not like she had any friends to help her either.

"There is no reason for him not to be okay." Lauren insisted. "Actually, he is here with us as well. He is outside now settling something at the front desk."

At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened. Leia's eyes shifted from Lauren to the door. Her eyes widened and her grip on the blanket tightened.

Blonde hair. Grey eyes. Harries.

Of course.

Why did she not think about it?

"That is my son, Colin Harries." Lauren smiled as she saw Colin. "He is the one I was talking about."