Saturday mornings had quickly become Suzanne's favorite part of the week. No alarm clocks, no rush, just the smell of pancakes drifting from the kitchen and Liam's cartoon laughter echoing through the house.
"Extra syrup?" her mother asked, holding up the bottle.
Suzanne smiled, "Always. Life's too short for dry pancakes."
"Wise words, philosopher Suzanne," Liam teased, his mouth full.
She playfully threw a napkin at him, her laughter filling the room. It was a happy home — soft, bright, and full of warmth — and no one could have guessed the quiet fear that sometimes tugged at the back of her mind.
After breakfast, she grabbed her jacket and called out, "I'm going to the library!"
Her mom nodded. "Don't be late for lunch."
But the library wasn't where she was headed. She walked past the familiar streets, heart beating faster with every step toward the clinic.
Inside, the scent of antiseptic felt sharper than usual. Dr. Mehra greeted her kindly. "Suzanne Davis? Come in."
Suzanne sat down, fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "It's probably nothing. I've just been dizzy… a little tired, that's all."
The doctor smiled gently. "You did the right thing coming here. We'll do a few tests — just to be safe."
As the scans were taken, Suzanne stared at the ceiling, trying to calm her thoughts. She imagined Ryan's terrible jokes, Mia's dramatic complaints about homework, Arjun's serious advice about everything. Those moments kept her grounded.
Afterward, Dr. Mehra said, "We'll have the results in a few days. Until then, take care, okay?"
Suzanne nodded, forcing a bright smile. "I've got a school festival coming up. I can't miss the fun."
The doctor chuckled softly. "That's the spirit."
Outside, the sun was warm, the air filled with the laughter of children playing nearby. Suzanne walked home slowly, taking in every sound, every shimmer of light.
That evening, she joined a group video call with her friends. Ryan was arguing with Mia about dance rehearsals, and Arjun was pretending to quit the group over it.
"Guys!" Suzanne said between giggles. "If we fight this much before the festival, we'll burn the stage before even dancing."
Ryan grinned. "If you lead the team, I'll stop arguing."
"Deal," Suzanne said. "But only if you promise not to step on my foot again."
Their laughter filled the screen, wrapping her in a sense of belonging she hadn't felt in a long time. For a while, everything felt perfect — just as it should be.
Later, as the night deepened and her friends signed off one by one, Suzanne lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed — a message from Dr. Mehra's clinic.
> Your test results are ready. Please schedule a follow-up appointment at your earliest convenience.
Suzanne's breath caught for a moment.
She turned off her phone, placing it face-down beside her pillow. Then she whispered into the dark, "Tomorrow… I'll deal with it tomorrow."
Outside, thunder rumbled in the distance, and for the first time, Suzanne couldn't tell if it was the weather — or her heart — that made her shiver.