𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗿𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿.

𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦

The recent news about Susannah had sent me into a long 3-day bed rot marathon. I had watched 53 hours' worth of rom-coms and for most of that time; I had spent crying. My excuse to everyone was that I got into another fight with my mom over the phone. That happens regularly, so they didn't even question me about it. I was scrolling through my Pinterest, as there was a soft knock on the bedroom door.

"Lana, honey, can I come in?" Susannah's quiet voice muffled from the other side. I quickly hid all of my tear-soaked tissues under my pillow and replied.

"Sure," I said, placing my phone down to see what she had to say. My heart hurt at the glimpse of her sweet and loving disposition.

"Are you sure you're okay? You haven't left your room in a few days now.." I sat up as she placed herself at the end of the bed. I pushed my knotted hair out of my face to compose myself.

"Yeah, I'm okay, I'm just upset with my Mom" I lied, hoping she wouldn't see straight through me.

Susannah shuffled her body closer to me and held her arms out for a hug. I returned the gesture and wrapped my arms around her.

"Speaking as a Mom, all I want is for my children to live long, happy and healthy lives. I'm sure you're Mom wants the same for you, she just has a harder time showing it" The simple act of stroking her fingers through my hair made me realise that Susannah was always going to be more of a Mother figure to me than my own Mom has ever been. The idea of losing her now was even harder to come to terms with.

"Thanks, Susannah." I slowly released myself from our embrace before the tears escaped my eyes. She cupped the right side of my face and looked at me with delight.

"You're welcome, my sweet girl." For the last 4 years I've known Susannah, I've always felt like I was a part of the family, especially when she uses possessive words like 'my' or 'our'. "You know, Connie has been worried about you." She had a smug look on her face.

"Really? Why? I'm fine" At that moment I realised that I hadn't spoken to Conrad since he told me about Susannah's cancer being back. He probably thinks that it's his fault I've been avoiding everyone. Sometimes I'm glad he told me so that I have time to prepare myself mentally for the absolute worst.

"You better tell him that," She giggled and abruptly got up from the bed. "Come and get some breakfast, won't you?" Susannah pleaded with her sympathetic eyes, the type of eyes no sane person could say no to.

"Of course, I'll be there in a minute." I decided to stop sulking in bed and finally get up and dress. I needed to face the harsh reality of life. After all, Susannah's been here before. She will beat it again. I know she will.

After I had finished singing Hannah Montana songs for 45 minutes while getting ready, I walked into the kitchen. Immediately, someone forcefully pushed me outside and into the garage. Before I could even process where I was, Conrad held me tight in a hug. I'd never felt like this before.