From His Eyes

From his eyes (Chapter 18)

Chapter 18

Autumn

I got home yesterday practically shivering. I went to my room and cried into my mother's arms. Just like I expected... the doctor's 'news' was terrible to hear. I was spaced out in most of the conversation but what I did hear... Cystic Fibrosis... no possible cure... months to live... sorry...

Everything I thought I knew in life feels broken. There's this sharpness to everything I do. I want to cry and cry and cry. It feels so much more real now. My mum says that Pops is nowhere to be found. She's worried but she told me that he might have reacted differently by disappearing out of my life. She told me that I must keep hope and that one day... just maybe he will come back. It's been a very long night... with little sleep. My mum went to work and I'm alone. I watch Willow as she follows the birds from the window. Her little head bobbing left to right. I need to get out of this house. I make my way out of bed and throw on my worn jean shorts and a navy blue jumper. The truth is... I may have a short time but I'm going to live every day till my last like I have forever. There's one thing calling my name right now and that's the ocean. The closest beach is all the way in Tilbury but I'm going. I send a quick text to my mum and walk out into the nippy air. I take my phone out of my pocket and get directions to Tilbury. There's no way I can get there on my own but I don't know anyone here. Then out of nowhere, his eyes came straight to my mind. Cruz. But how am I gonna find him? I don't know where he lives or even have his damn number. Then another thought comes to mind... the internet. I quickly open Instagram and search, 'Cruz, Romford'. There's like a 70% chance I won't find him but there is that tinyyyyy 30%. Over 100 profiles pop up. Great. After scrolling for what felt like forever... I FINALLY FIND HIM!!!

CShip1

Cruz Flores / 16 / single

I open his profile. There are lots of pictures of I'm guessing his brother and him, and there are a few photos of school and his drums. I find one photo that catches my eye. The caption reads: #SnowDayWithWil and the photo is him with a blond-haired boy next to him in the snow. I DM him with a smallish message. Nerves slowly start to climb up my throat. I press send.

A: Hey Cruz... it's Autumn from that night in the forest... I still have your jumper and I also need your help.

I decide to sit on the porch and wait for a response. What if he doesn't recognize me? What if he doesn't remember me? What if he thinks I'm weird to message him? A buzz in my hand wakes me from my thoughts. I look at the screen. CShip1. My hands are shaking.

CShip1: Hey Autumn! Tbh I've been trying to find you but had no luck. What's the help you're looking for?

My body freezes. He wants to help me. YES.

A: I need to get out of my house and explore. Tilbury?

Not even five seconds later...

CShip1: I've got a car... where can I pick you up?

OH MY DAYS! He will actually take me! Ok, Autumn breathe.

A: Abner Street. First house on the right. See you soon.

CShip1: I'm on my way.

AAAAA! Ok relax... He's coming. Breathe in and out...