The Bucket List

Ready? Set... Stay.

"One week? That's all I get?!" Anthony yelled.

"At this point there is nothing we can do. Her condition has started attacking and damaging her brain tissue." The grey-haired doctor retaliated.

One last week. That was all Anthony was going to get. He was only going to get 168 hours with her before she was gone. Before she disappeared from his life forever.

He would never see her contagious smile again. Never see her sparkling green eyes after that. He knew wouldn't get to hear her soothing voice ever again.

"We will discharge her until next Sunday, then she needs to return so that we can..." The doctor hesitated. "Put her down peacefully." The disheartened older man said quietly.

"She's not a dog. You're not going to put her down." The young man with dark brown curly hair and hazel eyes shot back. "You're going to kill her." His words dripping with venom.

"Sir, it is her parents wishes. There is nothing more we can do about it. It is for the best. She will be in more pain if we don't."

"Parents?! She doesn't have parents." Anthony snarled. "Last time I checked her 'parents' kicked her out when she was 16 and left her to fend for herself. I'm not entirely surprised they don't care if she dies now, either."

The male doctor's eyes widened, showing he clearly knew nothing about the young women's personal life.

"Tony?" A small and fragile voice called out. A pale, creamy beige skinned girl with bright wavy red hair, stood behind them with the support of a sparkly, purple cane.

Anthony spun around at the sound of her voice.

"Cas..." Tears welled up in his eyes as he studied the girl in front of him. Her skin paler than normal. Her voice wavered when she said his name. She looked a bit stronger than when she was in her hospital room, but yet her complexion was more flushed than before.

Must have been from all the medication she was being given. Her light green eyes still showed courage, but now they were mixed with pain.

A pain Anthony hadn't seen before. It wasn't an ordinary pain, more like an eternal hurt. Cassandra knew exactly what had to happen, and so did he.

Anthony almost ran to her, slipping his arms around her frail waist as she fell into his arms. Holding him like there was no tomorrow. Because for Cassandra, there really wasn't.

"We get the whole week together." She whispered into his ear as he held her close.

"Stuck with you for a whole week?" He asked and scrunched his nose as if he was annoyed.

"Yep. And you better enjoy it." She pulled away and leaned on her crutch. She smiled even though inside, she was crumbling. Both physically and mentally.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He said grinning, as he brushed a strand of her auburn hair away, and cupped her cheek. His dark brown skin comparing with her pale, white skin.

His parents had always made an issue of it. Always making a point to say that a black man like him shouldn't date a white girl like Cassandra. And after some time, the constant nagging finally got to Anthony.