it was one of those tense spring days where the drama at north shore high felt more like a stage play than real life. the air buzzed with tension, gossip fluttered like confetti, and you had barely taken a sip of your iced coffee before it all started to unravel again

regina was on the front steps of the school, toe to toe with cady heron. you were standing off to the side, leaning on the railing and watching them argue. not because you cared what they were fighting about but because regina was still regina and no matter how many times you tried to stay away from each other, you kept getting pulled back. you were broken up, everyone knew that but you still talked. mostly when she wanted something or you

reginas voice had that signature bite with her hands on her hips and her hair gleaming in the sun like it had its own spotlight. cady looked frustrated and flustered but she was standing her ground even though you could tell she was about to crumble under the sheer weight of reginas fury

you were about to walk away honestly. you were done with the drama for the day but then it happened

regina whipped around to storm off, crossing the street with all her usual dramatic flair and then you saw the bus

you dont remember blinking. you dont even remember breathing. one second she was there, all rage and power, and the next CRASH

the sound of metal and brakes and shattering silence swallowed everything

your iced coffee slipped from your fingers, hitting the pavement with a splat, plastic bouncing, and lid popping off. you didnt even look at it. you were already running

“regina!” you choked out as you dropped to your knees beside her. her body was twisted awkwardly, hair splayed across the concrete, and the faintest trace of blood by her temple. her chest was barely rising but it rose

your hands trembled as you reached for her, brushing the hair from her face gently like you hadnt screamed at each other last week or like she hadnt called you in the middle of the night two days ago asking if you missed her and you didnt hang up without answering

you cupped her cheek softly and leaned in “youre okay. youre okay. youre gonna be okay regina. im here okay? ive got you. just.. just stay with me. please. please stay with me”

her eyes fluttered for a second, trying to open and you could hear people running now with gasps, screams, and the sound of phones dialing 911 but you didnt care. you were locked in. nothing else existed but her but then you heard footsteps too close, someone gasping behind you trying to get a picture

you snapped “back the fuck up!” you shouted, turning your head with your voice sharp and slicing “all of you back the fuck up! dont touch her or crowd her. give her space”

the crowd stilled. even cady looked like she wanted to melt into the sidewalk. the only one you didnt yell at was principal duvall who knelt down across from you, nodding in calm understanding

“shes breathing” he said, placing a hand gently on her shoulder “ambulance is on the way”

you nodded, your eyes never leaving hers. her lips twitched like she was trying to say something and you leaned in closer, holding her hand now

“im not leaving you” you whispered “youre gonna be fine. you hear me? youre too stubborn to die regina george.”