HARMONIES OF HEART

ALS & BREAK UP

Dr. Williams greeted Alex with a somber expression, gesturing for him to sit down. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken words.

"Alex," Dr. Williams began, his voice gentle yet firm, "we've received your test results. I'm afraid it's not good news. You have ALS—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis."

The words hit Alex like a sledgehammer. For a moment, he couldn't breathe, his mind reeling as he tried to process the information. ALS. Lou Gehrig's disease. The words echoed in his head, bringing with them a wave of fear and confusion.

"ALS?" Alex repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "What does that mean for me?"

Dr. Williams leaned forward, his expression compassionate. "ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, it leads to muscle weakness and atrophy. Unfortunately, there is no cure. We can manage the symptoms and try to slow the progression, but it will eventually affect your ability to move, speak, eat, and breathe."

Alex felt his world collapsing around him. The future he had envisioned, filled with music, love, and dreams, suddenly seemed like a distant mirage. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he fought to keep his composure.

"What can I do?" he asked, his voice shaking. "Is there any hope?"

Dr. Williams sighed softly. "We can start you on a treatment plan that includes medications, physical therapy, and support from a multidisciplinary team. It's crucial to have a strong support system, Alex. You'll need your friends and family by your side."

Alex nodded numbly, his mind racing. He couldn't bring himself to imagine telling Sam, his friends, or his family. The thought of their pity, their helplessness, was too much to bear.

"Thank you, Dr. Williams," he said quietly. "I need some time to process this."

Dr. Williams placed a hand on his shoulder. "Take all the time you need, Alex. We're here to support you in any way we can."

Leaving the hospital, Alex felt a crushing weight on his chest. The world around him seemed to blur as he walked back to his dorm, the diagnosis replaying in his mind like a broken record. He knew he had to tell Sam, but the thought of burdening him with such devastating news was unbearable.

As he sat on his bed, staring at his phone, a resolve began to form within him. He couldn't drag Sam into this nightmare. He loved him too much to see him suffer. The best thing he could do was to let Sam go, to set him free from the impending hardship.

That night, Alex and Sam were supposed to meet up in their favorite spot on campus—a quiet bench under a large oak tree where they often talked for hours. Alex's heart ached at the thought of ending their relationship in such a cherished place, but he knew it had to be done.

As the sun set, casting a golden hue over the campus, Alex walked to the bench, his steps heavy with dread. He found Sam already there, a warm smile spreading across his face as he saw Alex approach.

"Hey, you," Sam greeted, reaching out to pull Alex into a hug. "I missed you today."

Alex forced a smile, his heart breaking at the thought of what he was about to do. "Hey, Sam. We need to talk."

Sam's smile faltered, concern flashing in his eyes. "What's wrong, Alex? You look really upset."

Taking a deep breath, Alex steeled himself for what was to come. "Sam, I... I've been doing a lot of thinking. About us. And I think... I think we need to break up."

The words hung in the air, heavy and painful. Sam's eyes widened in shock, his face paling. "What? Alex, what are you talking about? Why would you say that?"