Writing Prompts/Writing Tips/Short stories

Short Story 1

Slipping through our fingers

Location: Some city

Time: Early Autumn/Fall

Characters: Character A (CA) and Character B(CB)

Song to listen to: 

Chinese song: 爱情来得很小心   [网剧《原来时光都记得》插曲] 

English song: Monster by Timeflies 

The past few days I have been fainting and not feeling myself. Today I found the reason why. 

I came to the hospital to find out about my conditions. They ran a few tests on me, the doctor comes in the room with a worried frown. My heart immediately sinks. 

"How do I explain this......" the doctor pauses and takes a seat in the chair across me, "Valvular heart disease, unfortunately we detected it too late." 

A numb feeling settled over my body, from head to toe. I felt a prick behind my eyes, before my brain could fully comprehended  the situation, a stray tear rolled down my already pale face. 

I drew my hands up to my face, trying to muffle the sobs. Head only starting wrapping around the graveness of the situation. It wasn't only that my life span was cut down to 12 months or less, it was the fact that I didn't know how to respond to this type of situation. 

As I sat there, I became more aware of my surroundings, the shuffling feet of the nurses that weren't doing much, the murmurs they exchanged in the hallways; the smell of cleaning products in the air. The air slowly suffocating me as a heavy weight settles on my shoulders. 

"You may live for one more year, as said before, that may be extended if you're lucky. Surgery is the only way , if we can find you a donor."

I was hearing, but not exactly listening to the words. All  I knew was that time was running out, I only had 12 months, which would slowly dwindle to a few weeks. The doctors said that it wouldn't hurt, that I wouldn't feel much pain. But it would be uncomfortable, an everlasting reminder that I could drop dead any day, that my heart may stop and my life was over. I cradled my legs to my chest, breath ragged. The nurses might have found it too hard to bear, as they walked over and hugged me. Patting me on the back, telling me to breathe or I might pass out. 

"What if I pass out?" A voice in my head said. The truth would still be there when I woke up. 

"Your upper valve isn't closing properly. Blood isn't flowing right. We can put you on the heart donor list, but it is very difficult to find the right match......" 

I didn't understand how all the information was supposed to make me feel better. All they were saying is that they had no cure, that I was going to die no matter what. That the doctor couldn't do anything to extend my life. I didn't know how I did it, as I walked out of the hospital with the prescribed medicine in a white plastic bag. The words the doctor told me bounced in my head, many of them making little to no sense. The only clear message in the loud chaos of my brain was that I was going to die.  

I take out my phone as the message 3% low battery flashes on it. I groan, then quickly dialed the number I wanted. Soon enough, the other side picked up. 

"Hello" I ask into the phone. 

" Hey babe. Where are you?" They ask back. A smile made its way onto my face. 

"I just got out of the hospital, if your not busy...... " I respond, heart fluttering. 

"Of course I have time for you. Don't move, I'm coming. How'd it go by the way?" followed by a shuffling of papers and a chair being dragged back. The smile on my lips stretched even wider. 

"Well...... I'll tell you more about it later, my phone's running out of battery, we have a few second." I  hum. Annoyed by the little time we had. My boyfriend hurried out a quick response as the heat goes to my cheeks.  [A/n: This other character is more of a boyfriend, so CA can either be a girl or boy (I expect no comments).] 

The line goes dead as I puts down the dead phone.  Despite the conversation, I still felt empty. The Autumn breeze blows by me, as I huddle into my coat. I lowered my head, staring at a leaf on the ground. Autumn had always been my favorite season where the wind wasn't too cold and the leaves turned a pretty shade of red, orange and yellow. 

A familiar blue Audi pulled up in front of me. A smile immediately onto my face. I almost ran, trying to be as far away as possible from the hospital. As I got into the car, the warmth contrast of the car sent a shiver down my spine. I hid the plastic bag as I clicked the seat belt in. 

"Where are you going?"  My 'personal driver' asked.  

"Just drive you dork." I laughed as CB ruffled my hair. 

The feeling of dread replaced by comfort as I settle into the familiar environment with my favourite person.  CB starts talking about his day at work. I'm not exactly listening to what he is saying but the sound of his voice is enough to comfort me. CB is a photographer, he has become more and more successful as we dated. Yet, he remained humble, that's what I loved about him. 

We pull into the driveway. A pain in my chest make me gasp almost inaudible, but the jerk in my chest gives it away. The chest pains have become more frequent and less easy to hide. CB looks at me with concern. "Chest pains?" He asks cautiously. 

I nod, not bothering to explain further. "Did they tell you what it is? It's nothing life threatening,  right?" The lump in my throat become even harder to swallow. "No, it's nothing." I lie straight through my teeth, the pain it was giving me was much more than this sickness could ever give "It's just stress from work. Nothing much." I feel like I'm reassuring myself more than him. I've caused him so much pain these few days, as he seen me faint. I can't cause him anymore pain. At that moment, I make myself a promise: to never let CB know. He can't know, it will break him.