COVID Can't Break Us Apart

Chapter Fourteen: Sad but Happy

Luke

It was painful to watch Courtney be like this. I know it's not her fault, but why does all the crazy, out of this world stuff happen to a 12 year old girl?

And with a pang, I realize today is her birthday. She's completely forgotten it.

"Happy birthday," I say.

"Oh, it's November 17," Courtney says, "Guess it really is my birthday. I don't feel 13. I guess I'm especially not going to, what with me being held back and all that."

"Yeah," I say, "Is it weird that you do look a bit older?"

"Yeah," she replies, then smiles.

"I have good news and bad news," says Kat, rushing in, "Well actually two counts of bad news. The good news, Courtney did in fact test negative. It must not have been Covid for her. The bad news is that Alva does have it.. and.. she's in bad shape. That's why I was here. I heard about it. Alva was from my previous family."

"She.. what," says Courtney, confused.

"We need to see her," I jolt up.

"I'll take you," Kat says. Sometimes she was my favorite person.

Alva

"She's getting worse," is what the doctor told us.

I feel worse. I feel so much worse. I can't move, I can barely breathe. I don't want to mention the D-word, but I know I most likely don't have much time left.

"A week max," the doctor says.

I only have a week? I didn't know I was doing so bad that they gave me a week to live.

"Oh, Alva you have visitors," says the doctor, "A boy and two girls. Claim to be your best friends."

I know who it is immediately, but I just want to be sure, "Does one of the girls have red hair?"

"Yes," the doctor replies.

"Let them in," I say.

Courtney practically dies running in, and she wasn't even told she had a week left.

"I convinced Luke to let me see you first," says Courtney, "I'm sorry again."

"I'm over that," I reply, "And it wasn't your fault, Courtney."

"You can barely speak," Courtney says, gasping.

"Yeah," I reply, "They said I had a week left."

"In here or," she asks.

"To live," I say, sighing.

Courtney looks at me with the most shocked and confused face ever.

"I got a chance to turn 13," she says, "Why can't you have that chance.."

I ask, curious, because she was just 12, "You're 13?"

"My birthday's today, so yeah," Courtney replied.

I felt so guilty for being sad about having a week left when it was her birthday today. I'd completely forgotten.

But as if she reads my mind, she opens her mouth.

"It's okay, I forgot too," she whispers.

"Let the others in," I say, "I know you told them I was here. How'd you know, anyway?"

"Luke's sister, Katrin, told us," she replies, "Apparently you guys fostered her for a bit."

"I do remember having an older sister," I reply.

Courtney goes over to the door and everyone rushes in. Adora, Jamie, Luke, all of them. Even Adora's cat walked in!

"Sorry, I had to bring Poofy," says Adora, "She would start howling if I didn't."

"She's so cute," says Jamie.

"Poofy loves me," brags Courtney, "Even if soup doesn't."

We all laugh at that.

"My one regret is letting that drama, that thing that wasn't even all of your faults," I say. "Is letting it take over. Being mad at all of you."

"We're all good now," says Adora, now choking on tears, "We're all good now.."

"I don't want to move this year," screams Jamie, "I can't handle leaving any of you."

And one by one, we all started screaming things that stress us out. Courtney about the divorce, Luke about COVID, Adora about wanting to be heard, and Jamie about not wanting to move.

"I'm dying," I scream.

Everyone goes quiet.

"I only have a week left," I go on, "They said the COVID was too serious for me to still live after."

"I'll never forget you," Adora says, "I have a terrible memory, sure, but I won't ever forget you."

"What she said," Jamie says, "I will never forget all of you.. if I move away.."

"Actually," Jamie's mom walks in and says, "We've decided we're not moving anymore. You don't have to strain to remember them."

"I'm.. staying here," says Jamie.

Jamie's mom walks out and we all celebrate. Jamie didn't have to move away.

Eventually, all too soon, visiting hours were over.

Jamie

"I never want this day to end," says Courtney suddenly, "Because we were all together."

"Here," says Kat, who I've learned is Luke's sister, "I'll drive you all home, if it's OK with your parents."

Adora and I's parents give us the OK.

"I can't believe Alva's dying," says Luke.

We were all crying.

"Me neither," says Adora, "She's only 12."

"I wish she could be 13 too," says Courtney, "I wish she never had to die right now."

"She's suffering though," I say, "I can tell it took a lot of energy for her to even talk to us."

"Her mom isn't taking it well either. Worse, actually. She said that she doesn't understand why this could happen and that "I'm glad you're here Courtney". I guess she' s been here since yesterday, when she was apparently put in. That's why her camera was off almost the whole time except when she was sleeping," says Courtney.

"Did she not expect you to come," asks Adora.

"Yeah. She says that because of the drama, she's really surprised I came," replies Courtney.

"If she's still alive tomorrow, I'll take all of you there," says Luke's sister.

"Thank you, Kat," I reply.

"Yes, thank you Katrin," replies Adora too.

"I thought you had a rocky relationship with her, Adora," says Luke.

"No, we made up," replies Adora.

We were now stopped in front of Adora's house. Nice was an understatement. It was practically a MANSION! No wonder she had so many siblings!

"Your house is HUGE," I say.

"I know, we moved here not that long ago," she says, "We were in a different part of town before. I freaking love this new house. It even has a POOL."

"I'm using you for your pool now," jokes Courtney, and we all laugh.

Then I get dropped off next. My small house glitters with glowing lights.

"Jamie, your house is AMAZING," says Courtney.

"Thank you," I say, "See you tomorrow maybe?"

"Yeah," Luke says, "Maybe."

A/N: you thought Courtney would die from COVID? hahah fools, Courtney is just fine. I hope you enjoyed this chapter ❤️❤️

TinyAzalea101