My Warfstache Princess

Chapter 17

Aria was getting worse and worse every day. She was dying without the blood that she needed. We couldn't do anything. All we had to was watch her die each day. Aria's skin got paler and her body got thinner.

Today was day three. I was the only one to show up at the hospital. Crystal was called in for an emergency session with one of her clients. Levi and Terrence was being yelled at their clients about a water leakage. Clem stayed home. She couldn't handle being there for today.

I walk into the dimly lit room. The beeping was usual greeting I got from Aria. I sit down in the flattened down green cushion of the chair. The beeps sounded slower in my ears. Aria's head was turned away from me.

"Hey, Aria." I say quietly. A long beep answers back. I take her scarred hand in my pale one. "I hope you're feeling well."

The tiny, brown fuzzed plushie shifts in my lap. I look at it and bring a small smile to my lips. "I got you something. Something that could bring a smile to your lips when you come to."

I place the Tiny Box Tim plushie against her bandaged wrists. I set his tiny hand in between our intertwined hand. I give our hands a good squeeze. "It's Tiny Box Tim. He kept me safe during Amnesia so, I thought that'll he'll keep you safe when you get back."

I take off my glasses and wipe my arm across my eyes. I sniff the snot back in my nose.

"I didn't know that Aria had someone here." Says a medium toned voice.

I slip my glasses back on to see a man leaning against the wall. He held a black with brown fur trimmed hooded coat. A gray flannel shirt hung loosely on his shoulders. Baggy jeans that were buckled at his waist disappeared into muddy black snow boots.

"Los Angeles is way different than thought." He says, making conversation. He chuckles and continues. "Was dying in heat when I got here. Of course, I didn't know what to pack for the weather. It was cold back in Wisconsin. Raining in the middle of June. Not something you see everyday!" He pushes off the wall and stands in the middle of the room. "Where are my manners? I'm Dean. Aria's father."

I lift myself out of the green cushioned chair. I hold out a hand. "I'm Mark. One of Aria's friend."

He takes my hand, shooting me a questioning look. "You're not the person who called?" He asks.

Our hand splits away. I run a nervous hand through my fluffy hair. "No. I'm guessing it was Levi, one of Aria's roommates."

"Levi, huh?" He questions the answer. "I thought a girl called me."

"Oh, Levi is a girl. It's confusing, don't worry." I laugh.

We both sit on opposite sides of the bed. I stare at Aria's father. Her father stared at Aria. He didn't show any emotions but his green eyes were glazed over with sadness or maybe nostalgia.

"She was such a good girl, you know." He starts. He take Aria's small into his giant one. "She was a quiet and shy girl. Very close to her mother. Never left her side."

"Can you tell me more about her mother?" I ask. "If that's okay."

He leans back. A ghost of a smile was dancing on his lips. "I love talking about Lia, my wife. She was different. Of course, many people say that about the people they love." He laughs, the sound filling the room. "She was an artist. She would've done anything artistic and be a master at it. Cooking, painting, dancing, you name it. She started teaching how to cook when Aria could barely walk and talk."

The smile broke through his lips. "Aria and her were connected to the hip. Aria wouldn't do anything at unless her mother was there to help out."

I finally said something. "Sorry to interupt, but it sounds like something happened."

The smile fades. He looks down at the ground. "She didn't tell you?" He asks.

"We are not that close of friends." I answer.

He looks at me. His eyes glazes over with sadness. "I guess I could tell you."

*Author note: Lia rhymes with Kia. Boom.