𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔.
Elizabeth Reid learned, at seventeen, that she was going to die. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, she's faced with a question that no one should have to answer.
How do you leave a mark on a wo...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I take a deep breath and push open the front door. As soon as I step inside, I'm with Mum and Dad's worried faces. They're both in the hallway like they've been waiting there for ages.
"Elizabeth Reid!" Mum cries, rushing over to hug me. "Where on earth have you been?"
I hug her back. "I was with Nathan," I mumble into her shoulder.
Dad's voice is stern when he speaks. "You could have called or sent a text. Anything to let us know where you were."
Mum pulls back. "We were so worried, love. If Nathan hadn't told us, he knew where you were and would have brought you home—"
"We were this close to calling the police," Dad finishes, holding his thumb and forefinger close together.
I look down at my feet. "I'm—"
"You had us going out of our minds!" he continued, cutting me off. "We didn't know if you'd... if something had..." He couldn't even finish vocalising his worst fears.
I swallowed hard. "I'm sorry," I say, and I mean it. "I didn't think. I just... I needed some time, you know?"
Mum's face softens a bit. "We understand that, sweetheart. But you have to let us know where you are. Especially now..."
She trails off, but I know what she means. Especially now that I'm sick. Especially now that they're terrified of losing me.
"I know," I say quietly. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
Dad sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. Just... please be more considerate next time."
I nod, looking up at them. They both look tired and worried. It makes me feel even worse.
"Have you eaten?" Mum asks, changing the subject.
I shake my head. "No, not yet."
"Right," she says, going into mum mode. "Let's get some food in you. I've got leftovers from dinner."
We all walk into the kitchen. I sit at the table while Mum busies herself with heating food. Dad sits across from me, still looking a bit upset.
"Where's Meri?" I ask, trying to break the awkward silence.
"Upstairs," Dad says. "Reading, I think. Or playing with her dolls."
I nod. "Okay. I'll go see her after this."
Mum places a plate of steaming shepherd's pie in front of me. It smells incredible, and my stomach growls. I didn't realise how hungry I was.
"Thanks," I say, picking up my fork.
She sits beside Dad, and they watch me eat momentarily. It's a bit weird, to be honest.
