Hold On I Still Need You

-The Unfortunate News-

Sophie's POV: 

Sitting in the sterile waiting room of the hospital the fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glow on the worried faces around me. My palms were clammy, my heart racing with anticipation and fear. This was just another routine appointment, but deep down I knew it wasn't going to be like the agonizing pace. I fidgeted in my seat, my mind already grappling with the inevitable bad news that could lay ahead. Doctor Vacker my usual doctor had been somber during our last meeting when he told me I only had 6 months left. 

I could read the gravity of my situation in a sorrowful looks he exchanged with the nurses. My mind was consumed with a whirl wind of emotions. Finally, Keefe appeared in the waiting room. I looked up at his gentle expression. "Hey Keefe." I said forcing a smile as he approached me. "Thanks for coming." He sits down beside me, the weight of the situation pressuring me down in the air between us. 

"Of course, Sophie. I'm always here for you." I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder. "I wish things were different, Keefe. I wish I had more time." He wrapped his arm around me. "We'll make the most of the time we have, okay? We'll create memories that will last a lifetime." I lift my head and meet his eyes. "Promise me something, Keefe. Promise me that you'll never forget me." "I could never forget you, Foster. Your part of me now, and you always will be." I felt a tiny piece of comfort from his words. 

As we sat there in that moment, the world around us faded. The beeping of the machines and the hushed whispers of other patients melted into the background, leaving only me and Keefe in our own little bubble of existence. 

Looking over at my doctor, I could read the gravity of my situation in the sorrowful looks he exchanged with the nurses. When he finally called my name, I felt a wave of unease wash over me. Keefe gave my hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance reminded me he is there for me. I followed him into his office, my stomach knotting with apprehension. 

Sitting down, the air in the room seemed to grow heavy with the weight of unspoken words. Doctor Vacker looked at me with a mixture of empathy and regret in his eyes. "Sophie," he began, his voice gentle yet firm, "I wish I had better news for you, but the disease has spread more aggressively than we anticipated. I'm afraid we are running out of treatment options. Our only hope is the cure but chances of getting it are slim." His words echoed in my ears, each syllable piercing my heart like a dagger. 

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as the reality of my shortened future sank in. Six months the painful reminder punched me in the face. That was all I had left unless a miracle happened. As I walked out of the office, the corridors of the hospital seemed to blur together, the white walls becoming a blur of indistinct shapes and colors. I found myself in the waiting room, where Keefe, my best friend, was sitting with a worried expression etched on his face.

 "Sophie," he said, standing up and enveloping me in a tight hug. "What did the doctor say?" I couldn't bring myself to speak, the weight of the news too heavy on my chest. Keefe didn't press for details, understanding the gravity of the situation without me having to say a word. Together, we walked outside, the cool breeze of the evening offering a fleeting sense of solace. 

"I'm so sorry, Sophie," Keefe whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I can't imagine what you must be going through." I leaned into his comforting presence, finding solace in the familiarity of his touch. Despite the tears streaming down my face, I felt a sense of peace wash over me, knowing that he would be by my side through whatever trials lay ahead. We sat on a bench by a blooming magnolia tree, its sweet fragrance mingling with the salty tang of my tears. The world seemed to slow down around us, the hushed whispers of the evening gently wrapping us in a cocoon of shared grief and acceptance. 

"I don't want to leave," I finally whispered, the words barely audible over the rustling leaves and distant hum of traffic. "There's still so much I want to do, so many dreams left unfulfilled." Keefe took my hand in his, his touch warm and reassuring. "Like I said, we'll make the most of the time we have, Sophie," he said softly. "We'll fill it with moments worth a lifetime, memories that will carry you beyond this world." And in that fleeting moment, as the last rays of the setting sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, I found a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to consume me. 

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Later that day we were all gathered at Biana's house for a late night. The warm glow of the lights and the chatter of my friends provided a temporary sanctuary from the harsh reality of my recent doctor's appointment. Dex, Marella, Tam, Linh, and Fitz filled the living room with their laughter and banter, oblivious to the heavy weight on my shoulders. For a brief moment, I immersed myself in their joy, letting their presence wash over me like a soothing balm. It was easy to forget, if only for a while, the impending uncertainty that loomed over my future. 

Yet, amidst the lighthearted conversations, a simple remark from Biana about our plans for the future pierced through the facade of normalcy I had tried so hard to maintain. The casual mention of dreams and ambitions ignited a storm of emotions within me, reminding me of all the things I might never get to experience. "I can't wait to share dreams about our future together. Sometimes I often wonder what it would be like." Biana sighs dreamily. "I don't know but I hope it's with me." Tam says wrapping an arm around her shoulders. 

Without warning, tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over and reveal the truth I had concealed from my closest friends. In a desperate attempt to regain composure, I excused myself and fled outside, the cool night air providing a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within me. I felt the weight of someone's presence before I even heard the footsteps approaching me. Keefe's familiar voice broke through the silence, his concern palpable in every word. 

"Sophie, what's wrong? You can talk to me," he said softly, his eyes filled with understanding and unwavering support. I struggled to find the words, the lump in my throat making it hard to speak. How could I burden them with this heavy truth? How could I shatter the illusion of normalcy we had all tried so hard to maintain? 

"It's just... it's hard, Keefe," I finally managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want them to know. I don't want to be defined by this disease." Keefe's hand found mine, his touch grounding me in this moment of vulnerability. "You are not defined by this, Sophie. You are so much more than your condition," he said with conviction, his gaze unwavering. His words offered a sliver of hope in the darkness that threatened to consume me. With a deep breath, I composed myself, wiping away the tears that still lingered on my cheeks. "I know," I whispered, mustering up a faint smile. 

"Let's go back inside before they start to worry." As we returned to the warmth of the living room, I saw my friends' concerned expressions and felt a wave of gratitude for their unwavering support, even in the face of the unknown. Their presence was a reminder that I was not alone in this battle, that together we could face whatever lay ahead. Throughout the rest of the evening, amidst the laughter and shared stories, I found solace in the simple moments of connection and understanding. 

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"Hold on, I still want you. Come back, I still need you." 

Keep Being Cool

-KotLC183