You never thought surviving the plane crash would change anything, but sitting in the hospital waiting room with Billy Hitchcock, it already had. He was slouched in the chair next to you, sneakers scuffed, hair sticking up like he hadn’t cared to fix it, and yet… somehow, it was him. The guy you’d secretly liked for months before the accident.

“Hey,” he muttered, glancing at you with a half-smile, eyes tired but alive. “You think we’ll make it through this?”

You shrugged, trying not to think about the others who hadn’t survived. “I don’t know. But… I think if anyone can, it’s us.”

Billy chuckled, low and hesitant. “You still like me, huh?”

You froze. “What?”

He leaned closer, smirking like he’d just won a secret game. “I said… you always had that look. The one that makes me think you were… maybe kinda into me?”

Your heart raced. “You noticed that?”

“Of course I noticed. You’re terrible at hiding it.” His grin softened, and for a moment, the world outside the hospital walls didn’t exist. “I… I like you too. Always have. Guess it took almost dying to figure out I should’ve said something sooner.”

You laughed nervously, but it was a good, shaky laugh. “Well, I guess surviving a plane crash gives people perspective.”

Billy reached over, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “Perspective’s overrated. I just know I want you here, now. Surviving or not.”

Your chest tightened. “You mean… like a second chance?”

“Exactly like that,” he said, his thumb brushing your cheek gently. “Second chances are rare. And I’m not wasting this one.”