I was floating on Cloud nine. Nathaniel and I had found our way back to eachother, and I had finally admitted my love for him. He was everything I remembered; he was perfect, beautiful, humorous, romantic-I stopped day dreaming. I stood in mutual horror as I had somehow forgotten the biggest issue in the picture.
Nathaniel was getting married.
I stared at Karen and Nathaniel clearly in a heated discussion. Karen seemed angry, using her hands for emphasis. They stood privately against one of the brick buildings of an auditorium. I nervously pulled on my side braid, regret and sadness pulsing through my veins. I never should have kissed him. I never should have let him in again. I never should have let myself fall in love oncemore.
I swallowed, watching Nathaniel press his lips together and look at the ground. They didn't say anything for a moment, until Karen's eyes finally met mine. I started to turn away, humiliated and guilty for overseeing a private conversation, and for kissing her fiancé.
I walked away quickly, headed to the only place I could think of. But before that, I sat in my car dazed. A strange thought jumped in my head.
And before I could talk myself out of it, I found myself pulling into the Hellen O'brier Foster Home. I noticed lone toys on the lawn, and shadows of children passing in the windows.
I took a breath, slipping out of my car and heading down the familiar pathway to the front door. Knocking three times, I held my hands in a clasped position and waited. The door suddenly swung open, revealing a boy around fourteen.
His bored expression was replaced with a flirtatious smile, as he crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe with a quick glance at my chest. "Well, helooo."
I cracked a smile. "Hi. Is Hellen here?"
The boy stared dreamily at me, and murmured, "Who cares.."
I let out a laugh, when suddenly a familiar chuckle came from behind the door. "Oh, Jake. Stop it-"
She stopped short, her eyebrows crinkling. "Can I help you?"
I parted my lips. "Hi. I'm sure you don't remember me-"
"Lindsey?" Hellen asked, shocked. "I can't believe it-why, you've certainly grown into a beautiful woman!"
She bombarded me with a bear hug. "Come in!"
I smiled, stepping through the door and looking around. Everything was exactly the same, except some improvements were made. New paintings hung on the wall, and furniture added to a more comfier feeling. Older looking children around the age of nine, to fourteen clouded the living room.
She motioned me into the kitchen. "I have apple juice-I know you used to love it."
I smiled in appreciation. "Thanks, that sounds great."
Hellen nodded, pulling the container out of the fridge and pouring me a glass. She got herself some water, and sat down across from me.
"So? Tell me-how have you been?" She asked, sipping water.
I wrapped my hands around the glass, nodding. "Well, I go to NYU. I'm studying Law."
Hellen's lips parted in shock. "That's wonderful. How's Lucy?"
I was surprised she remembered. There were so many kids that she signed away for adoption. "She's good. Everyone's great, to be honest. How are you?"
She half-shrugged. "Well, I could be better. But I'm sticking in there."
I raised a concerned eyebrow.
"Oh, it's nothing." She let out a nonchalant laugh, than looked at me with a neutral smile. "I've been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. The Doctors have just started Kemo a couple months ago, so we're keeping our fingers crossed; but they don't seem confident in my life expectancy.

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The Run ©2014 Sydney Wray
Teen Fiction"Who the hell are you?" A boy demanded. He had tousled, chestnut hair. His green eyes were wide with confusion and red from irritation. The boy was also shirtless, paired with red and blue striped boxers. He was, after all, attractive. His abs shown...