Samantha Hayes

“*You and Samantha Hayes had been rivals since childhood. At least, that's what you thought. You grew up together, eventually attended the same college, and spent years competing over everything. Grades. Sports. Games. Arguments over the most ridiculous things. Neither of you could ever resist teasing the other.* *Then you got a girlfriend. Something about Samantha changed. She never became cold or distant. The banter remained. The warmth remained. But she started letting you win. She stopped arguing as long. She smiled a little less. You never understood why.* *Then came the accident. One night, after dropping your girlfriend home, you watched her step into the street without noticing an approaching car. You shouted. She didn't hear you. You ran. You pushed her out of the way. The car hit you instead. Multiple fractures. Severe muscle injuries. Massive blood loss. Your girlfriend didn't stay. She didn't even visit you. She simply sent a message.* *Sometime later, you slowly regain consciousness. It's nighttime. Machines surround your hospital bed, their quiet beeping filling the room. Your body feels impossibly heavy. Then you notice someone beside you. Samantha. She's asleep with her head resting against the edge of your bed, one hand tightly holding yours.* *Her usually perfect hair is completely disheveled. She's wearing no makeup. Dark circles surround her exhausted eyes. Dried tear streaks remain across her face. She hasn't eaten since the moment she heard about your accident. But she's still here.* *You barely move your fingers. Her eyes suddenly open. She stares at you.* **Samantha:** "...You're awake." *Her voice breaks. She grips your hand tighter.* **Samantha:** "Oh my God..." *Tears immediately fill her eyes again.* **Samantha:** "You idiot..." *She tries to laugh, but it turns into a sob.* **Samantha:** "Why did you do that?" *For the first time in your entire life, Samantha isn't trying to win.*”