serendipity | kth | completed

chapter 1

i lied down on my back, processing the words that had left my doctors mouth only minutes ago.

"you've reached stage 2, y/n. i'm sorry, but it's only growing."

i'd be lying if i said i expected to have stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 25, but i'd also be lying if i said i expected to have a perfectly healthy life.

my family has a history of bad health. diabetes, high blood sugar, so i always sort of expected one thing: but cancer was definitely not one of them.

i looked over at my desk, and frowned at the picture of me, my mom, dad, and sisters before flipping it face down. "don't make me feel guiltier than i already do." i mumble and run a hand down my face.

not telling any of my family about this has taken a huge toll on my life. always having to make up excuses for missing family events when it's really just because i've been undergoing chemotherapy.

it would be nice to have my family and friends by my side with this going on, but i know how people act once they find out that you're sick.

they become different. always pitying you and making your life seem as if it's hanging on by a thread. although, i do admit sometimes it does feel that way. i let out a huge sigh and finally find the strength to sit up, grabbing my laptop and placing it on my lap.

my emails are full, and i can't stand to look at the sight of them bunched up and unopened.

because of my sickness i lack in my work. i haven't published a book in months, so there's always someone questioning when my next release will be. if i'm being completely honest, dealing with cancer and writing totally sucks.

it's hard to plan my stories, or even write rough drafts when i'm in the bathroom puking my guts out almost every other night. i threw up last night, so i should be good for today.

i drag my finger against the touchpad and press "select all" before setting it on "delete." my finger hovers over the touchpad for a second as i chew the corner of my lip in deep thought and consideration. i can't use my sickness as an excuse because i don't want anyone to know.

i reach up and shut my laptop as my head falls back against my pillow. i groan heavily and slide it off of my lap.

"god why me?" my phone begins to buzz on the nightstand beside me. i pick it up and stand up off of my bed before pressing answer.

"hey sis." jane squeals which makes me hold my phone away from my ear. "you will not believe what just happened." she says in a frantic yet silent tone.

"what-"

"IM GETTING MARRIED!" she screams again and giggles before sighing heavily. "congratulations jane i'm so happy for you." i laugh softly and enter the kitchen, searching my cabinets for something to snack on.

"i want you to come over to my house! we can plan everything together! eunjae refuses to come because she's too busy with jason." she mocks our older sister's voice when mentioning her husband's name.

"i'd be happy to." i pull out a granola bar as she squeals again, making me wince as the loud noise nearly triggers a migraine. "see you in 10. bye love you!"

she hangs up before i can respond, and my ears are thanking her themselves. i unwrap my bar and raise it up to my mouth, pausing as i hear the little paws pound against my wooden floor.

"hi hannie! where've you been pretty girl?" i smile and place the snack on my counter, bending down and rubbing my hands through her thick, brown fur. hannie is a pomeranian who i got 5 years ago. she's pretty much the only one who knows about my cancer, because i practically tell her everything, even when i don't mean to.

i look over towards her empty food bowl and sulk down at her, moving my finger underneath her chin. "aw i'm sorry girl, does hannie want some food? yes she does, yes she does!"

i coo happily and scoop some of her food before dumping it into her silver bowl. she licks my hand eagerly before placing her paws on my thigh and forcing me onto the ground, out of her way.

"ow hannie- that's not nice." i scoff and stand to my feet before walking towards my room. i want to find something that covers my body, so my sister doesn't point out how much weight i've lost.

it's something she does a lot, and it's something i hate.

a lot.

i decide on a navy blue long sleeve with jeans and white vans. it was still fairly warm outside since we've just started approaching fall, but i've learned to ignore it; just how i ignore multiple other things in my life.

i kiss hannie goodbye before grabbing my purse and keys.

•••

i knock on the burgundy door to jane's home, and am greeted by her broad smile. "y/n you made it, come in!" she grabs my arm and pulls me inside, letting go to shut the door behind me.

jane is my older sister, but behaves as if she's the youngest. she had short brown hair and a very pretty face. she's taller than me, maybe 5'8". her cheeks are chubby and her eyes are doe like. she looks youthful, i'd go to say younger than me.

she's lively and fun, and she's always been this way. it may be the reason she had so many friends in high school.

immediately as she spins around she holds her long fingers out towards me. front and center on her ring finger glistens a beautiful ring. it looks expensive enough to buy three of my condos.

my mouth falls in amusement as i grab her hand and bring the diamond encrusted ring closer to my face. i chuckle in disbelief and let go of her hand, looking up at her egoistic eyes.

"that's beautiful." she rests her hands on her hips and nods happily. "i know right! he proposed maybe an hour ago when we were at the park."

i followed behind her as she began walking towards her kitchen. "he proposed to you in a park?" she hummed in response and placed a k cup pod into her keurig.

"i would've expected maybe someplace in paris. considering he's super rich and all." i mutter and lean against her countertop as she glares at me. "what? just saying."

jane's now fiancé, beom, is super wealthy. it stems from his father's fragrance line which he now is in charge of. beom is a millionaire almost billionaire, and jane never fails to remind us.

"well he finds the park to be a very beautiful place. after all, it is where we met." she looks up to her ceiling and clasps her hands together as she begins to reminisce. "i thought you guys met at a coffee shop."

she drops her hand and looks over at me with a face full of disdain. i can't help but snicker at her expression and quickly apologize. she sighs and shakes her head before doing a quick look over of my body.

"do you want something to eat? you're looking pretty thin." she walks over and wraps her pointer finger and thumb around my wrist. i roll my eyes as she gasps loudly and drops my hand. "are you... starving yourself?"

she whispers as i groan loudly. "no. i eat 3 meals a day plus one snack." that was a complete lie. if anything, with my sickness i find it harder to eat. it's never really the first thing on my mind anymore.

she lowers her eyebrows as she stares down at me skeptically. she grabs her mug once it's full and takes a sip, still glowering at me. "jane i'm fine. i promise."

i walk towards her living room and flop down on her couch. standing too long causes me to become extremely dizzy. "i'm just worried about you y/n," i throw my head back against the back of her couch as she moves some pillows to sit across from me. "you don't hang out with eunjae and i, and you've missed almost every family dinner these past few months."

i raise my head to look back at her. the look of worry is evident on her face, and i don't know how else to reassure her i'm fine — even when that's not the full truth. "i've just been busy trying to finish and start some of my works."

her face softens as a small smile slips onto her face. "i understand. you're very busy now." i nod and grin, thankful that she's finally eased up.

"okay," she leans forward and sets her mug down on the coffee table. "let's get brainstorming."

end.