Stranded

Chapter 47: The Yellow-Brick Road (Part 2)

Harry's POV

"What? No! You cannot just do that!" I protested. She's very young. She cannot just give up. There are medications now, new technology that could help het get better. I'm sure there will be a way.

She shook her head and took a small sip of her tea. Something was playing at the back of her mind, I could see that by her knowing smile.

"We'll help you." I held both her hands. "Let us help you."

She shook her head again. "Sometimes you can't help things from happening. They just happen."

What does she mean?

"There are stuff we cannot control, like they are just meant to happen." She picked on her food, letting out a sigh. She glanced at me for a while and I undoubtedly saw a feeling of hurt in her eyes.

"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, nervous. She couldn't be talking about death, right? She's only seventeen! That would be unfair!

"Harry, I'm dying. It's inevitable. It's gonna happen sooner or later." She made it sound like it was nothing, like it is so usual for someone so young to die. She had accepted the fact that she doesn't have a lot of time like the rest of us, but I can't.

We haven't been friends for a lifetime, but I definitely have given her a space in my heart. She's been a part of my life, even if she hasn't been in my life for so long.

"I'm just really happy I got to meet you before I die."

She is still happy.

She's been a victim of the unfair treatment of the world yet she is not angry at the world.

She's happy just because she got to meet me when I feel robbed of the opportunity to get to know her more. 

☀☀☀

Niall's POV

I shivered as the chilly air made contact with my bare skin. Summer is almost over and I could literally feel it in my bones.

I stripped my shirt off right when Liz allowed me to share the sea with her, leaving me in my shorts. I didn't really plan to swim at night, but seeing Liz's bold persona for the first time, I was encouraged.

I strided closer to her, trying very hard not to look so nervous even though I actually am. Her curly hair was wet that it appeared a bit more tamed. She smiled shyly at me, which sent shivers down my spine. She looks just like a goddess in human form.

"You know what? You should do this more often." I flashed her an apprehensive smile. Keeping a one meter distance between us, I stopped moving.

"Do what? Swimming in my underwear?" She chuckled, rolling her eyes at the thought. "I'd rather not."

My pale cheek flushed bright red. "No. I mean, be like this all the time, brave."

She seemed to take it into consideration for a while but then she shook her head. "That's quite ambitious. I cannot do that."

"Why?" What is hindering her?

"There are lots of people out there, ready to judge me, eat me alive." Bullies. She mentioned a bit about her being bullied before. Coming from her mouth, it sounded really traumatic that if I was her, I would really be scared of doing the same.

"But of course you don't know how it feels. You're good-looking and talented." She added. A tear rolled down her cheek but she immediately wiped it with her hand. Doing exactly what my instincts told me, I hugged her.