From Mystery to Romance

An Emily Chapter: Judith

I was in my room reading a book. Julia and Ruthy were studying and North was out.

With Xander.

Xander asked North out.

I'm pretty sure his dad had something to do with this, but either way, I'm happy the two are hanging out together.

I think they might understand each other well.

I heard North come home and say hi to my family.

I stayed in my room, not expecting her to come in, anyway.

But...she did. She came in.

And smiled a bit, too.

"Hey, Emily," North said.

"Um...hey, North," I greeted her.

She sat down on the bed and stared at the picture of me and Judith, "Who's that girl?"

"Um...she was an old friend of mine. Named Judith," I said, trying not to bring up the topic of her death. 

Judith died because of cancer. Xander and I were the only ones to hear her say her last words.

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"We've been best friends since kindergarten. But I think it's time for me to go now. I know it'll be hard for you. I want you to make new friends. Maybe Xander can be your friend. He's cute." Judith giggled.

10 year old me giggled too. I had no idea what was going to happen next, "Xander is an idiot."

"Oh, stop! You like him! All the girls at school do!" Judith teased.

"Yeah! And your one of those girls. He's all yours!" I put my hands up in the air.

"I won't be here to have him," Judith said. There wasn't any fear in her voice at all. Just cherry old Judith, "That's why you need to take care of him. You know men. They never take care of themselves."

Judith had cancer ever since she was two. She was doing all right until fourth grade. That's when she got really sick.

"Oh, shut up!" I told her, "I'm only ten years old! I told you, he's a jerk! And besides, you will be here to have him!"

"No, I won't. I'm about to die soon, and you know it!" Judith said.

"I'm not letting you die!" I said again.

There was a bit of silence after that. Then Judith broke it, "Em, when I die, will you be upset?"

I sighed, "More than that. I'll be devested."

"Find your meaning in life. You got one. I don't. I'm dying here and that's because my meaning in life...isn't life. It's heaven." Judith said. Her voice was fading away.

"You've got a meaning in life," I told her. I stared at her seriously.

Xander was at the hospital too. He burst through the doors, "Are you done yet? You know how much I hate this place!"

"Xander! Can you at least let her finish her speech?" I smirked. 

Xander sat in one of the hospital chairs, "Alright, but make it quick. You know how much I hate these places."

"Oh, Xander, it's good that you're here, too.  She should hear me say my last words one." Judith smirked.

"Oh, shut up! You know how much I hate it when you say that!" Xander snapped.

Judith ignored him, "I want you and Emily to get along. She's going to be lonely when I leave her so I want you to take care of her, while she takes care of you."

Xander scoffed, "I'm not taking care of her,"

"And I'm not taking care of him!" I yelled.

"Just listen to me!" Judith laughed, "I want you guys to make Earth a better place. I'll be seeing it from up there. You guys have a meaning in life. You two are great people. You deserve the best. So as I die, I want you to remember my words. And once I die, I want you to...find...your mean-"

Judith's voice faded by every word she said.

She closed her eyes all of a sudden.

Her heart monitor gave one loud beep.

"Judith," I shook her slowly, "Judith! Judith, wake up!"

Tears rolled down her face.

Xander walked up to her and started crying. It was the second time he had seen someone die.

"Emily," He said in his tears, "I'm sorry. She was a great person."

"I know, Xander," I said also fighting back my tears, "I know."

_________________

"Why have I never seen her before?" North asked.

I looked at the bed, "She's gone."

"Did she move?" North asked.

I shook my head.

"Oh. OH," North started to get it now, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

I wiped a tear from my face, "It's fine."

North laid down on the bed, "Tell me about her."

I hesitated then said, "She was funny, kind, a great person in general."

"Why...why did she die?" North asked.

I sighed, "Cancer,"

"Oh," North looked at the bed too.

I huffed, "Xander and I were the last ones to hear her say her last words."

North looked at me, "What were they?"

"They were, 'I want you guys to make Earth a better place. I'll be seeing it from up there. You guys have a meaning in life. You two are great people. You deserve the best. So as I die, I want you to remember my words. And once I die, I want you to find your meaning in life.'" I repeated her words, as more tears ran down my face.

I missed her.

North didn't say anything. She stayed silent as I cried. No one really cared that I cried.

But apparently, she did.

She put one arm around me and put my head on her shoulder.

"Sorry, it's stupid when I cry," I said.

 "It's okay to cry sometimes. You're a human and humans can be sad." North said in a soft voice.

I'm surprised she came near me. Usually, when someone comes close to North, she would push them away.

But there was a soft spot in her. The kind where she's nice and loving. 

The type of North I like.