As Long As I Am With You

47

"I'm glad he's doing fine" Gerald sighed to the other line. I've told him everything that happened a week ago. Time flies really fast right? The psychologists said Apollo's diagnosed with mild separation anxiety disorder.

"Yeah, I never thought things will turn out like this." I mumbled and closed my eyes. I gripped on my phone that was pressed onto my ear. "Everything's going to be fine, Winter." Gerald comforted me. I smiled, "Thank you." I said, he lout out a soft chuckle,

"Anything for my best friend. I'll get going now. Bye Winter, love you." He ended the call. I sat in the hospital lounge alone. Apollo's been under CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy lately. The doctors said he's been doing good and been eating his meals properly.

They also shared how he always cry himself to sleep when he was being diagnosed, they shared how sorry they felt for their patient. I'm just so happy he's been doing good. "There will be fireworks outside at 9 pm! I'm so excited!" I heard kids running from the hallway scream.

I've been staying in Carol's house too. She showed me pictures of Artemis. Her beautiful hazel eyes reminded me of her mother. I know why Daisy told me that night, I can see the similarities. Also Carol and Zeus showed me her drawings and designs. We visited her grave and I had a little talk with her. I told her pretty much everything, how awesome it would be if I had the chance to meet her. I also feel like she would get along with Prim.

I stood up and walked myself around the hospital. I decided to go up to the rooftop, I walked up the staircase and a huge metal door welcomed me. I looked around to see if anyone's watching. I twisted the door knob and pushed the door. I grunted as I opened the heavy door. My hair started to dance with the wind as soon as I stepped a foot in.  I walked myself to the edge and took a really good deep breath.

"Hello!" Someone said from below. My eyes wandered and stopped to two guys far in the hospital building. Both of them waved at me, I waved back at them with a smile on my face. I noticed they're preparing something. I suddenly remembered about the fireworks the kids were talking about.

"What are you guys doing?!" I shouted, praying they'll hear what I just said. It'll be so awkward if they won't. "Oh! We're preparing the fireworks for tonight!" They shouted back. My eyebrows furrowed, I let out a chuckle. I inhaled, "What for?!" I shouted back.

"Hospital's anniversary!" One of them shouted with their hands on their face making their voice sound louder. I nodded and waved them goodbye. I giggled as I thought of an idea. I looked around and a smile formed on my face. I sighed and and walked down the staircase. I walked myself to his room. They turned their heads to me, I awkwardly smiled and everyone went back to their businesses.

I walked closer to the pane and saw Apollo with his therapist. He talked to him with his hands all over the place. The therapist nodded his head with a small smile on his face. I slowly smiled and touched the pane with my fingers. Apollo's eyes met mine, I blinked. He let out a chuckle and waved his hands. I waved back and gave him a thumbs up, letting him know he's doing a great job and I'm always here to support him.

He continued talking and I sat down on the chair, resting. We can go inside and talk to him, but we can't go in all together for I don't know what reason. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted to sleep.

-

I felt someone shaking my shoulder, I slowly opened my eyes and sat up straight. I looked on my right, the nurse stood there. "O-oh! Hello.." I cleared my throat and fixed my hair.
Her eyes curved upwards, "I didn't mean to wake you up.. here's a pillow!" She smiled sweetly.

I shook my head slowly, "No, I'm okay. What time is it though?" I asked her followed by a yawn. I fixed my hair and my clothes, she checked her wrist watch and squinted her eyes. She looked back to me, "It's 8:40, the show will start soon" she excitedly clapped her hands. My eyes got bigger, I immediately stood up and checked the glass pane. I looked around and did not see Apollo. He's probably inside his room.

I looked around the room and noticed it's just the nurse and me. "Nurse.." I cleared my throat. She hummed as a response. "Can I bring Apollo somewhere in the hospital?" I asked her, crossing my fingers behind my back. Praying she would say yes, she was taken aback at first.

She nodded and opened the door, "Sure, just be back before 10 pm alright? I trust you, Winter. Take care of him" she said and left the room. I entered and knocked on his door, "Come in" I heard him say.

I twisted the door knob and peeked through the hole. I watched him write on his notebook. I opened the door wide, his head shot up and a huge smile formed on his face. "Get up, we're going somewhere" I said and pulled his hands, making him stand on his feet. I fixed his hospital gown, "Where?" He asked. His innocent face melted my heart. I helped him wear his shoes and didn't utter any word.

I held his hand and got out of his room. He looked around, he probably got tired staring at the same walls every single day. The hallway was really quiet that I could hear our footsteps. We climbed the staircase while he giggled out of excitement. We opened the door and got out, the bright moon served as our light.

"Wow..." He said, running his fingers through his hair. He ran to the edge and rested his arms on the cement. He looked at the view and took a deep breath. I stood next to him, our shoulders were touching.

I fixed my gaze to his face, "How's your day?" He asked and opened his eyes, making eye contact with me. My heart skipped a beat, feeling flushed. God, I missed this feeling. "It's all good, Gerald said to get well soon." I smiled at him, he looked at my hands and slowly interwined his fingers with mine. I looked at his chest, I smiled seeing him wearing the necklace I got him before.

"Thanks for the Christmas gift too. I loved it so much you have no idea how much I listen to them every single night." I gripped his fingers, he let out a sigh. His smile fading.

"I hate it here.." he mumbled. "I hate hospitals, the smell of medicines, pills." He let out a disgusted look. "We don't know what doctors are really incapable of that I think they can wash your memories away.." he massaged his temples.

"I was scared to forget about you-- I write poems about you" he admitted and gritted his teeth. "You're okay, I'm here." I caressed his hand, calming him down. He looked up to the sky, and closed his eyes. I stared at him in awe.

He suddenly looked at me, and we locked eyes. "I knew you'd come back to me" He whispered. I felt my cheeks burn up as we look at each others' soul.

He opened his eyes and bursted out laughing, I looked at him confused. My serotonin suddenly rised up just seeing him happy, he finally cooled down. He looked up to the sky once again.

"Remember when I asked you to choose between the moon and the stars?" He added and looked at me with a huge smile on his face. My lips parted and my heart started to beat faster. I nodded like a little kid.

"And you chose the whole sky" He patted my head. I looked away and felt a huge punch on my stomach.

"The stars would be so proud to know their atoms made someone like you." Apollo said with a smile.

I'm highly convinced Apollo's goofy and flirty side is my weakness. Both of us flinched when the fireworks made an explosion sound. The colours of the fireworks reflected on our faces. I rested my head on his shoulder as we watched it together.

His hand traveled to my cheeks and turned my head to him, I looked at him confused. He smiled sweetly and his eyes traveled down to my lips. He leaned in closer and I closed my eyes, getting an idea of what's going to happen next.

I gasped and got shivers down my spine when I felt him planting kisses to my jawline. He reached my chin, I opened my eyes. I felt his breathing on my lips, I felt butterflies on my stomach when he locked eyes with me.

I couldn't hear anything but our hearts beating for each other. "I love you" he whispered and leaned in for a kiss.

And there we kissed, passionately under the colorful fireworks.