Chapter 96 – Pieces They Carry

Ben's POV

He stood outside the hospital room for a few minutes before walking in. It had become routine—he'd show up with his old camera, some printed photos, or a memory he could share. Sometimes Ryan would listen. Sometimes he wouldn't. And sometimes, he'd just close his eyes and pretend to sleep.

But Ben kept showing up anyway.

"Yo," he said casually, stepping in with a bag of chips and a few Polaroids. "Remember this?" He held up a picture of the two of them during the food festival. Ryan was making a face, pretending to throw flour at him while Ben laughed uncontrollably.

Ryan stared at the photo for a long while. Then he shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry, man. It's… nothing. I feel like I'm looking at someone else's life."

Ben didn't let his smile falter. "Then let me introduce you to the guy in the picture. He was a pain in the ass, guarded, but loyal. He punched someone for me on the first week of school. He made varsity. He fell in love with this town, even if he acted like he didn't care."

Ryan looked at him, a flicker of something behind his tired eyes. Not memory. But maybe curiosity.

That was enough for Ben to keep coming back.

Savannah's POV

Savannah brought music.

Playlists she and Ryan used to listen to. Songs they sang at the café while mopping floors. Tracks from their late-night chats when they both worked extra shifts for Sarah. Sometimes she'd sit beside his bed with headphones and place one in his ear.

She watched his face for any flicker of recognition—an eyebrow twitch, a soft inhale.

Sometimes, she thought she saw something.

She didn't push too hard. Savannah knew Ryan better than most—he was the kind of person who pulled away if you forced things. So she just showed up. Every other day. With music. With jokes. With pieces of the boy she used to know.

And when he smiled at her, even if it was small and uncertain… it gave her hope.

Anna's POV

She waited the longest to see him.

For the first few weeks after the accident, she couldn't even say his name without her chest tightening. But when she found the courage to visit, and he looked at her like a stranger… it broke something deeper.

Still, she came back.

Again. And again. And again.

She brought the book he once borrowed from Mr. James. She helped him bake a cake in the rehab kitchen, the same recipe they'd made together before the festival. She read him the story he used to love hearing her read—the one about stars, distance, and how some things can still shine even when they're far apart.

He didn't remember.

But sometimes, when their fingers brushed, or when she laughed without thinking, she swore he looked at her like something was waking up.

So she held onto that.

Even when it hurt.

Back to Ryan – First Day of Sophomore Year

The halls of Rosehill High felt unfamiliar, even though he'd technically walked them before.

Ryan rolled forward in his wheelchair, flanked by Ben on one side and Savannah on the other. Anna was just ahead, her backpack bouncing lightly as she walked with her head held high—strong, composed.

He didn't remember the friendships. He didn't remember the heartbreak. He didn't even remember falling in love with this place.

But he felt something.

Like pieces falling into place.

He passed the basketball court. Something sharp twisted in his chest. Not pain exactly—more like absence. A ghost of who he used to be.

"Do you want to stop by the gym?" Ben asked gently.

Ryan shook his head. "Not yet."

He looked down at his hands resting on the wheels.

"I don't know who I was before the accident," he said quietly. "But I want to find out. I want to try."

Anna turned back at the sound of his voice. Their eyes met.

For a second, time stood still.

Then she smiled softly. "Okay. We'll help you."

And so began a new chapter—one not about memories, but about rediscovery. About building something new from the pieces they all carried.

Together.