what once was

Ivy didn't want to leave Simon. She wasn't sure he was even conscious with so many machines he was hooked up too. She was afraid to ask what was happening. She stayed out of the way. She didn't want to bother Xander who looked so distraught.

"At least, it wasn't a car accident." She finally spoke up. Xander only nodded. She'd brought him more coffee. Although he was so jittery.

He was so different now. She wasn't sure when he changed. She knew Simon had changed, too.

She thought of him so happy go lucky. Nobody could change his world. She remembered what he'd said, about the two of them being Seniors..how they had to make this the best year ever.

Funny, she'd always imagined him saying something completely different. Honestly, she thought he would be her boyfriend, but she supposed that would have been too easy.

Ivy knew he'd changed after being Bree's boyfriend. Funny, how she never thought of her anymore, and she was Will's cousin.

Ivy decided to text her. Amazingly, Bree was still a contact.

SIMON'S IN THE HOSPITAL

Ivy left it at that. Naturally, there was no response. She should have expected, as much. Bree was still as self-centered as she ever was.

"What are you doing?" Will's question woke Ivy up. He was watching her, watching her phone.

"Oh..I..nothing." She decided it was best not to mention she'd text Bree.

"The hospital is the worst place, especially..for the flu." He grabbed her hand, as if she needed to leave before she was quarantined.

"I'm fine." She promised. She looked back at Xander with the coffee who was at the doorway of the waiting room.

"I dunno why you came." His words were a little harsh.

"Why.. are you, acting this way?" She winced, remembering she needed to go back and get her coat before they got out of the building.

"I want you to be OK, and not..not worry about him." He was straight-lipped.

For the first time, Ivy could tell Will didn't even like Simon. She thought they'd been friends.

She got on her coat and scarf.

Soon enough they were in his old warm car. Although, he let it run some before he started out of the vast parking lot of the hospital. It was so grim out. Still, he reached out to her and kissed her as if he'd wanting to do so as soon as he found her.

The kiss was deep and knowing, exactly what she wanted. Oddly, it troubled her, but she'd wanted this. Hadn't she.

"I..I was just worried." She finally said when she broke away.

"What?" Naturally, Will looked at her as if he hadn't a clue what she was talking about.

"Simon."

Will nodded as if he knew how she was. "He'll be OK. Don't worry."

Ivy winced. She hoped he was right.