1001 Love Stories Darker

Apart (103)

We were nine that winter and for days I watched him in the field just outside my bedroom window.

Before he found me, I had never been seen before. Only by doctors and my parents.

He came and put his face right up against the window and smiled real big.

I waved and he waved back before fogging up the glass and writing Max.

I scrambled to find a white bored and replied to Mika and he smiled once more.

Come play.

My heart dropped into my stomach and I didn't know what to say. He were the first kid I've ever seen and I had no clue how to tell him that I was allergic to outside. That this window was my only view to the outside world from my quarantined bedroom.

If I go outside I'll die.

He looked concerned for a bit before standing and I watched in an overwhelming sadness as he walked away.

I watched him leave and it was as if my little bit of sunshine had been snuffed out. So imagine my surprise when he returned. With a notebook and hand and a smile.

Is it the snow?

No outside. I've never even left my room.

What not even to the living room.

Nope

He looked puzzled for a bit before writing something.

Sounds lonely.

I only nod and he smiles again.

Don't worry. I'm here now so you won't be lonely anymore.

Then suddenly I had a friend. He came as often as he could. After school most days and during the weekends we would spend the whole day at my window.

It was the first day of your summer break that I got something. A gift from my parents thoroughly disinfected and shining like a star.

A walkie talkie.

I ran to the window as he were handed his and his eyes lit up in joy.

My hands shook as I wondered what my first words to him would be.

"Mika I can finally hear you!" He scream and it's loud and goofy and perfect. I feel myself start to cry and he noticed and starts to cry too.

"You have to say something." He said and I smile.

"Thank you for being my friend." I say and you press your face to the window smiling so wide.

My parents cherished Max. I knew the Strain it took to take care of me. They weren't rich enough to afford the high tech fancy devices that made SCID bearable.

And having to work meant being exposed to people.

So we only spoke once a week when they came to clean my room and restock the special prepared meals I had to put in the microwave. I don't even know what they look like because It's been so long since I've seen them without a mask.

But Max, I knew Max. I knew someone else's smile.

That summer was the happiest of my life. He put a tent right up to the window and I did the same. We talked for ours about everything a ten year old could think of and I soon realized that I liked him.

Of course I would. When be used his saved up his allowance to buy a DS so we could play Mario cart together. And couldn't be happier.

He were there for the Fourth of July and sat against the window as we watched the fire works and that fall.