Alone

Chapter 16: Lucy's POV

Chapter 16: Lucy

My mother cupped my face, tears forming in her eyes. "Baby," she forces out. "You're getting so big."

I grabbed her hands, trying to comfort her. "Mommy, I'm still your baby girl. I'm always gonna be here with you." Just minutes ago, I had graduated. My mom had run through the crowd to find me. She had surprised me by attacking me in a hug. "Please stop crying, mommy. I love you." I tightened my arms around her small body, tears in my own eyes also. "C'mon, let's go eat." I tightened my hold on her hand, moving through the packed crowd.  

I felt selfish for a quick second. My mom is upset and crying, but all I could think about was seeing Flynn. He hadn't come to graduation because he was at the hospital with his mom while they ran tests on her. All I wanted was to go visit him. I felt terrible for not wanting to spend time with my mom. I know that she'll be alone when I'm gone at college next fall. I'll be in New York, thousands of miles away from her, my mother, my home. I know that every day she thinks about what it would be like if my dad was still here. At least she wouldn't completely alone. I made a vow to myself, to visit her whenever I possibly could.

When we finally made it out of the stuffy room, I was able to breathe. By then, my mom had stopped crying... for now. I held her hand tightly, smiling at her. She touched my cheek before leading me towards our car. "Where do you wanna eat?" she asks me.

"Let's go to Maxie's," I suggested. Maxie's Place was our favorite place. It was a small, simple restaurant but they keep you wanting more because their food is so good! She smiled at me. "Are you okay, honey?" Her voice was filled with sincerity, wanting to really know.

As she started to drive in the direction of Maxie's, I began to answer. "I'm scared. I'm terrified, honestly," I truthfully spoke. "I'm going to college in three months, let alone all the way in New York! I'm leaving you and Flynn behind. And I'm really worried about Flynn and his mom. He has been better lately, but what'll happen after I'm gone? When he doesn't have me?"

My mom held my hand tenderly. "Y'know, this has always been my favorite thing about you. You always worry about everyone, but yourself. You're freaking out about Flynn and me. It's amazing how much you care, but think about yourself for once. Sweetheart, you're going to New York to do what you love. You love literature; you love writing. Don't let us hold you back from doing what you love and what makes you happy. Flynn and I just want you to be happy. Going to New York will make you happy, so we want you to go. We'll both miss you dearly, of course, but you'll come back."

I smiled at my favorite person in the world. My mom always knew the right thing to say to cheer me up or to make me feel better. Even better, Eliza had told me almost the exact same thing last night. "After lunch, I'll drop you off at the hospital before I head to work." She softly kissed the back of my hand to comfort me.

Once we arrived at Maxie's, I ordered my usual and my mom did the same. While we waited for our lunch and while we ate, my mom told me some stories from when she was in high school and college. She made me vow to not do some of the things that she did. She even retold the story of how she and dad had met. I've heard this story a countless number of times, but it never got old. Every time, whether it was her or dad who had told it, there was a new twist to it. This time the story went so. My mom used to always spend her time in the library during study hall in high school. My dad, who had a huge crush on her, spent his time there just so he was able to see her every day. Day after day, she didn't notice him. All she did was read. Her favorite book was Pride and Prejudice. When my dad always saw her reading this book, he decided to read it too. When he had finished, he had finally come up with the courage to talk to her. At first, my dad hated Mr. Darcy while my mom loved him. My mom hated my dad at first for hating Mr. Darcy, but her hatred soon became love. They were high school sweethearts ever since.

My mom's love story gave me some kind of hope. Recently, I think my hope is finally becoming a reality with Flynn. We aren't officially dating, but we're halfway there. I think we both believe that Flynn has enough on his plate with his mom being sick. I'm okay with that. It's okay for him to help his mom rather than being with me. We still spend time together as best friends, like we've always been, but there's something different now that we both know we have feelings for each other.

"I miss him too, mom." I sighed. "Every day, I think about him. I wonder what it would be like if he was still here."

"Hey, if you're done eating, I can take you to the hospital now." My mom halfheartedly smiled at me, pointing at my plate, also trying to change the subject. I had part of my burger left on my plate, but I had lost my appetite. I nodded weakly. Mom left the money on the table and we silently stood and made our way out of the restaurant.

I bit my lip, thinking intently. My mom's head was also bowed down in deep thought. The ride to the hospital was tense. The silence was so think and full of tension. "Bye, sweetheart," my mom said as she stopped in front of the hospital. "I love you."

"I love you too, mommy." I gave her a quick hug before climbing out of the car.

Once I entered the building, my stomach twisted. I had never liked hospitals. Not after my experience when Daddy was here. I was only seven, but the moments I spent in this building still haunt me till this day. I still vaguely hear the screams of my mother that the walls had absorbed. The footsteps of the nurses and doctors rushing to help my father still sounded through my head.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I continued towards the elevator. It was like everything was happening in slow motion. It was like I was back here on that dreadful day, in this exact elevator. I pressed the button for the fourth floor, where Flynn and his mom were. I retraced the familiar steps that I had taken just yesterday when I came to visit Flynn. The room numbers passed me as I was looking for room 4324. When I found the room, I knocked softly on the shut door.

Seconds later, the door was pulled open and Flynn came through. "Hey," he said, smiling sweetly at me. He looked exhausted. "She's sleeping, so we can take a walk if you want." I nodded, turning towards the direction I had just come from. Flynn fell in step beside me. "How was graduation?" he asks.

"It was nice. Sad, but amazing at the same time. But I missed you."

Flynn grabbed my hand. "I missed you too. I wish I could've been there, you know that."

I nodded. "How's your mom?"

He sighs, taking a shaky breath. "They've been running so many tests on her, and I can tell it's taking a toll on her. She's exhausted and so weak right now. She doesn't want me to be here and to see her like this, but you know I can't leave her alone. Not now. The doctor doesn't know how long she has, so I'm going to spend every possible moment with her. They don't think it'll be curable this time."

I stopped in midst step. I threw my arms around my best friend who was trying to stay strong right now. Flynn relaxed, wrapping his own arms around my waist. "Thank you, Lulu. I needed that."

"You're welcome, Flynny." I smiled at him, hoping to make him feel a little better.

"I love you," he mumbled, pushing my hair out of my face.

My heart raced, so many thoughts ran through my head. "I love you too." My voice shook as I spoke. Flynn's hand cupped my cheek and forced me to look up directly at him. His eyes held worry. Knowing what he was trying to ask, I merely nodded. Seconds later, Flynn and I were kissing in the middle of the hospital's hallway. His other hand rested on my hip, pulling me as close as possible. In his arms, I felt at home. I felt safe. I wasn't alone.