Just Friends

22

Pov Sage

"That's 3.00," she says. I give her the money and take the cups. I walk back to the chairs. I give a cup to Meri. He looks at me gratefully and takes a sip. I sit on the chair next to him and drink my coffee myself.

I yawn. "Sage you can go home. if you want" says Meri. "No no. I'll stay," I say, but I can't suppress a second yawn. "Then like this," says Meri. He puts my head on his lap. "Go to sleep," he says. I chuckle and nod. He presses a kiss on my head. "Trust Sage. I'll wake you up if there's any news," he says. I nod and close my eyes and quickly fall asleep.

I wake up on a chair. I look around. Oh yes, I was in the waiting room. Only there is no Meri or Anna to be seen. Further down the hallway I see 3 people standing. They listen attentively to one person. Then someone gets really angry and hits the wall. Another bursts into tears. I sit up and take another look. Wait, that's Meri and Anna. I'll rush there. I quickly walk to Meri who angrily punches the wall. I wrap my arms around his waist from behind. He stops. His shoulders make jerking movements as a sign that he is crying. He turns to me and puts his arms around me too.

I can see the doctor looking at me gratefully along his arm. I nod to indicate that it's okay. "He's dead Sage. He's just dead" Meri sobs and pulls me tightly against her. "My condolences," I say and press a kiss on his cheek. He seems a bit surprised but recovers. He slowly calms down. "Thank you," he says. He lets go of me and wipes away his tears. "Sorry you had to see this," he sighs. "It's okay," I say. I gesture to his mother. "I'll be right back," I say. He nods and sinks to the floor against the wall. I walk towards Anna. I stand in front of her and rub her back. "My condolences, ma'am," I say. "Thank you Sage," she says, sobbing. She takes a deep breath and wipes away her tears. Who would Meri get it from? Keep yourself tall.

"I'm going to go see him," Meri says to me. He's standing rather awkwardly in front of me. "Should I come?" I ask. He smiles and nods. We walk towards the room. Meri opens the door slowly. He looks at me once and inhales deeply. I nod. He walks in and sits on the chair next to his father. I stand behind Meri. "Hey dad" Meri says softly. His voice is broken. I put a hand on Meri's shoulder.

We drive into our street. "Are you coming soon?" Meri asks as he parks the car. I nod and get out. I pack my suitcase and walk home. I walk inside. I see Mom sitting on the couch. With my father. To kiss... I slam the door extra hard so she notices me. She startles. She shoots up. "What are you doing at home?" she asks and clumsily scratches the back of her neck. "What is he doing here?" I ask, pointing angrily at the man on the couch. I'm not going to call him Dad. He shouldn't expect that. "Sage" he says. "Shut your mouth," I hiss at him. "I'm going," I say firmly. "And if you really don't know, Koen has passed away. I came home with Meri." I say and slam the door again as soon as I walk outside.

I quickly walk towards Meri. I walk in through the back door. "Hey," Meri says as soon as he sees me. "What do you mean you brought your suitcase?" he asks. "My father is here," I say. He swallows briefly. I get it. He just lost it. He gives me a hug. "But despite everything. It's Wednesday, isn't it," Meri says, grinning. "Movie night!" we both say at the same time.

**

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