Living through Lenses

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

I woke up smiling; it was the day before Christmas Eve, which meant that today my family, Ethan and I were all going to take a flight to New York. I did a high-pitched girly scream inside my head and jumped out of bed. I eyed my luggage and checked if I had missed anything. I put on my grey trackies and my loose navy t-shirt. I tied my long brown hair into a messy bun and looked in the mirror, I could see the obvious thinning of my hair. I went downstairs after I had cleaned up and everything was quiet, which meant that I was the only one up, that is the only thing I like about mornings.

I washed an apple and took it outside. I sat on my doorstep, took a deep breath, and took a bite of my apple. It was extremely sweet and I felt my smile growing bigger, if that was even possible. I checked the time on my phone, it was only 7:00 am, and my parents would probably be up in a few hours time. I decided to go somewhere so I left a note saying I would be back by ten.

Since it was early it was really cold outside, I wanted to see Ethan but he was like two towns away so that wasn’t really possible. And then I remembered a little coffee shop that Faye and I used to go to after a sleepover so I went. As I walked along I could almost taste the hot chocolate in my mouth, it was definitely the best. When I got there I could smell the freshly brewed coffee and chocolate wafted together. My dawdling quickly turned into a power walk as I went inside the little shop. I never knew why it didn’t get popular, maybe because it wasn’t known. There was another girl in but I didn’t look at her and I quickly went and ordered my large hot chocolate with extra cream. I got a spoon and a straw as my hand warmed up to the touch of the cup. I sat behind the other girl and as I sat there drinking I examined her.

She had reddish-orangey hair tied back in a messy bun and from her back I could see she had a light grey hoodie on. I stared at her hair for a while, it was really unique, in a good way and then it hit me. I tapped the girl on the shoulder.

‘Faye?’ Her eyes widened.

‘Kayla?’ My stoned face turned into a smile as I gestured for her to sit with me.

‘How are you?’ I asked her.

‘I, I thought you were pissed.’ She looked worried.

‘I was, but I guess you had a reason to be pissed at me too.’ She smiled.

‘Friends?’ Her voice was a little shaky.

‘Friends.’ I hugged her from across the table.

‘You better have a really good reason for ignoring me for so long.’ I chuckled.

‘Well it’s kind of …difficult to explain.’ She raised an eyebrow.

‘Does it look like I have anything else to do?’

‘Guess not.’ She nodded.

I ended up spilling everything about what had happened around 7 months ago, the day we went shopping for our dresses for the dance. I told her about my cancer, my days when I did nothing, how I took up photography and all about Ethan. I told and showed her how much my hair had thinned and talked about the headaches I get. I told her about the competition and how I’m going to New York. She smiled but I could see her pity and sadness underneath. I took a deep breath, shut my eyes and finally told her about the 4 months I had left. I could see her going through all the different emotions, first the sadness and pity then it turned into anger, helplessness, and guilt and finally she was accepting all the information into her head.

‘Kay, I’m so sorry I …’

‘No pity, I decided I was going to enjoy these last few moments.’ She smiled in reply to my smile but I could see her lifeless eyes accepting the information.

‘Have fun in New York, I bet it’ll be amazing!’ She returned to the jumpy Faye and we both dropped the subject of my disease.

‘I know, I can’t wait, I wish you could come.’ She gave me a funny look.

‘No you don’t! You can’t wait until you and Ethan have some fun together.’

‘Maybe just a little.’ She laughed and wiggled her eyebrows.

‘Do you know what you’re going to say at the celebration thingy?’

‘Nah, I think I’ll just make it up on the spot.’ I laughed as she frowned. 

‘You’ve always been good at public speaking.’

‘It’s simple, just say what’s on your mind and people will think your amazing.’

‘No one has a mind as complex as yours.’ I poked my tongue at her and finished my hot chocolate. I felt calmed because things between us were back to normal and relieved that she knew everything now. I checked the time, it was already 9:30 am and I needed to get home. 

‘Faye, I’m really sorry I need to go home now.’ I made a guilty look.

‘It’s okay, have fun okay? I’ll see you around New Years then?’

‘Maybe.’ I smiled and waved goodbye as I walked off. I was so excited, I could feel my heart pounding as I got closer to home, we were on the plane at 5:00 pm and that was only around 7 hours to go. I know it sounds long but seriously I bet it’s going to pass just like that.

I had triple checked everything and we made sure that the alarm was working. My mum asked the neighbours to phone the police if anyone suspicious was around and they said that they’d do that even if we didn’t tell them to. I laughed at my mum being so paranoid. I checked for the millionth time that I had my camera, camera charger, phone, phone charger and extra memory cards. And I said that my mum was paranoid. By the time we had eaten something and finished rechecking everything it was already 3:00 pm, which meant that there was half an hour ‘till Ethan and his dad were coming by. No worries his dad is just dropping him here.

We always left early to get to the airport cause my mum loved shopping in there even though nothing was actually cheaper. I practically counted the minutes until there was only 2 minutes until 3:30 pm but I could already hear a car parking up front. I then waited for them to ring the bell and by then it was exactly 3:30 pm. I waited a while before I opened the door so I didn’t seem to have been waiting for him but as soon as I saw his face I broke into a smile.

‘Hey.’ His voice had gotten a little lower since last time and it was definitely for the better.

‘Hey.’ I managed to reply even though I was completely mesmerised by his god-like looks. He gets hotter every time I see him. It’s either puberty or my hormones screaming for me to get with him.

I let them both in and my parents greeted his dad, Nathan. I tried my best not to glare at him because he was my boyfriend’s (wow it feels weird to call him that) dad, but I couldn’t help it. Besides that everyone was smiling and I have to admit, I got to thank Nathan for letting Ethan come with me on such short notice. Our parents were talking in the living room when Ethan excused us. He pulled me by my hand to my room and examined it.

‘I’ve always wanted to know what your room looked like.’ He smirked.

‘Well it’s usually a lot messier but luckily we’re going in like 30 mins so …’

‘Come here.’ He patted the area next to him on my bed and I raised an eyebrow.

‘Why?’

‘Just come.’ I sat and he stared at me.

‘I love you.’ I tried but I couldn’t say it back. He smiled a sad smile and leaned forward. A second later his lips were on mine and I wasn’t complaining. I swear he has got to be the best kisser in the world. I felt myself running out of breath and slowly getting dizzier. My knees were turning to jelly and fortunately we weren’t standing. He then pulled away, chuckled and whispered.

‘Don’t want you to faint before the flight.’ 

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Sorry not a lot happened here ..but what do you think will happen during or after the flight :) Hmmm ..I wonder. Thanks for reading and all the support!