Light In The Dark

Chapter 5- Anaiya

I stayed in the room with Julianna for a while even though she didn't know I was there. I looked down at my phone and realized there were five minutes until two o'clock.
"Hey mom! I'm going to meet a friend I ran into today down at the cafe! Call me if you have any updates. I love you bye!" I said basically jumping up from my chair.
"Okay Honey. Go have fun! I will definitely call if anything changes. I love you too!" She said but I was already halfway out the door.
I made my way to the stairs instead of the elevator because they were faster. I walked down a few halls and it took a little while to get to the cafeteria. I should've taken the elevator, it was right across from my room and I would have not had to walk so far.
When I made it to the cafeteria and Alex was already sitting down with two milkshakes.
"Anaiya! Hey!" Alex had a huge smile on his face.
"Hey! I see you got us milkshakes? And what's the big smile for?" I said raising an eyebrow.
"Yes I did. Hope you like chocolate. The grin first is because I'm with you and you make me happy even though I've only known you for like four hours and second, my mom is getting released from the hospital today!" His grin grew wider.
"Thanks. I love chocolate. That's really sweet you make me happy too! And what?!! That's amazing! I'm so happy for her and you!" I gave him the same size smile he was giving me.
"I know right! I couldn't even believe it. You should come meet her before we leave." He offered. I don't know much about his mom but it seems like he loves her very very much.
"I would love to! You haven't told me much about her though? Care to tell me what she's like?" I asked with a huge smile.
"As long as you can tell me what Julianna is like." He smiled a little.
"Yes! You first." I said practically bouncing in my seat.
"Okay. My mom is very sweet. She's definitely soft spoken, she never yells even when she's upset. She loves everyone. Never has judged anyone, she'd love you even if you we're a criminal. She is the sweetest person I've ever met. She tries to hold grudges the longest she has ever held one was four days. She's also very funny! That's basically all I have." He looked so happy talking his mom.
"Wow. You're mom sounds like one of the best people on planet earth." I gave him a huge smile. Now I realize why he loves his mom so much. I haven't met her but from what I've heard there seems like there is nothing not to like about this woman.
"You should tell her that. But thanks anyway," He laughed, "Now tell me about Julianna."
"Okay. Julianna now or before her mom," I sucked in a quick breath, "Before her mom died?" It stung to say that. I don't know if it hurt because Mrs. Laqueer was gone or if it was because Julianna was in so much pain because of it.
"Oh my goodness I didn't know that happened. I'm so sorry." He had a very painful look in almost like the one in Julianna's eyes. I had to look away. I already had to see this enough every single time I look at Julianna.
"I- It's okay," I looked down, "Anyway Julianna was very happy and bubbly before her mom died. She always had a smile and was always helping people out. Always offering someone a hand. But after her mom died she changed completely, now she's," tears rolled down my cheeks,"S- She's depressed and angry and suicidal. She keeps having panic attacks and s-she never has a smile on her face unless I make her laugh. Which is r-rare. The hardest thing is the painful look in her eyes. It's always there. Always. I- I can't even look at her face most of the time." I was choking on sobs now. Alex walked over to me and pulled me into a hug.
"Hey. It's okay. I promise Julianna will be okay. She needs time. Trust me I know. I lost my dad five years ago. It was hard but I got better." He said still hugging me. I turned my face to his chest hoping I wasn't soaking his shirt with my tears. It felt really good to have a hug like this, even if I barely knew Alex. It felt like I've known him for my entire life.
"S- Sorry. I didn't know you lost your dad. That must be hard." I let go of his hug even though I didn't want to. He suggested we go outside instead and finish our conversation. We walked to the front of the building and sat down on the bench by the flowers.
"Oh by the way about what you said about my dad, it's okay. I'm doing fine now. I'm happier, especially since I still have my mom." He smiled at me.
"I hope Juli will be that way soon. I know it may take a while but I really need her back." I said my tears slowing down a lot.
"I understand. You want to go get a tissue in the bathroom and then I can take you to meet my mom?" Alex asked. All I did was nod and walk to the bathroom. Alex waited in the hallway outside. I grabbed a tissue and sat in a stall for a minute. I needed to get a grip. I just needed to think for a few.
Stop crying Anaiya.
Julianna will be okay.
She just needs time.
You have another great friend too, Alex.
Now I'm thinking about Alex. He's such a great friend. He's so kind and understanding. He's like super hot too.
Oh no. I just realized I have a huge crush on this guy. I just met him today. How can I Love someone this fast? I guess there's nothing I can do about it.
I throw away the tissue I was using to wipe my eyes and fix my lip gloss and mascara before walking out of the door.
"You good?" Alex asked
"Yeah. I think." I sighed. Alex pulled me into a quick hug.
"Thanks Alex." I smiled and look up at him. He was so dreamy. Yeah I'm definitely in love.
"Of course. Let's go meet my mom." He lead the way to the Elevator and we walked in. He pressed the button to floor three. The door opened and we walked out. He lead me to a door and I realized it was the one directly next to Julianna's room.
"This is her room," He smiled and knocked on the door, "Hey Momma it's Alex. Can I come in? I brought a guest." He said through the door.
"Of course honey! Come on in!" She shouted to Alex.
"Hey Mom. How are you feeling? This is Anaiya by the way." He introduced me and I waved. His mom looked very tired. I'm sure cancer had to do something with that. She had a few grey hairs in her strawberry blonde hair. She had a lot of freckles and blue eyes. A few wrinkles on her face but she still looked somewhat young.
"Hi! I'm feeling very well. Hi there Anaiya! I'm Heather. It's very nice to meet you. Alex told me a lot about you a few hours ago." She smiled and opened her arms for a hug. I hugged her back careful to not move any tubes.
"It's very nice to meet you too Heather! Alex told me all about you, you seem like one of the best people anyone could ever meet." I gave her a huge smile.
"You're very sweet! I love her already Alex!" She whispered to him.
Our conversation continued for a while. We talked about how good the hospital milkshakes were and shared a little bit about each other. This woman is definitely the sweetest person I have ever met. I was going to be sad to leave. Hopefully I would see her again if me and Alex hung out.
Ding!
"Oh sorry that's my phone! I'll just check it a second, I need to make sure it's not my mom." I smiled sorry that I had to interrupt our conversation.
Mom: Hi Anaiya! Will you come back to the room? I just need to see you. Just a small update nothing to worry about.
"Oh no I'm really sorry I have to go! It was so nice to meet you Heather. You are the sweetest person I have ever met. I hope I see you again." I smiled at her and she pulled me into one more hug.
"Aw. Okay! It was super nice to meet you too Anaiya! I definitely think we will meet again," she winked at Alex and he blushed, "Have a great night!" She smiled releasing me from her hug.
"Awesome! You too!" I waved.
"Bye! Will I see you later?" Alex asked.
"Definitely. Bye!" I said while Alex pulled me into a quick hug. I walked out the door waving.
When I walked into Julianna's room there was a smile on my mom's face. That relieved all of my anxiety.
"Hey Honey! Just and update; The doctors said Julianna should be awake by tonight. If not it should be tomorrow morning. That's all nothing to worry about." My mom said pulling me into a hug.
"This is great! Thanks for telling me." I smiled and she released me from her hug.
"Of course. You can go do whatever now." She went to sit down and called my Dad.
I decided I would text Alex
Me: Hey Alex! Good update; Julianna should be awake either tonight or tomorrow!
Alex: This is amazing! Can I meet her maybe tomorrow afternoon?!
Me: I know right?! I'll have to see how she feels about it. You should be able to. Just because she's depressed doesn't mean she hates everyone but I don't know how she'll be when she wakes up :(
Alex: Alrighty sounds good! I have to get to bed my mom is already sleeping. Goodnight! Talk tomorrow :)
Me: Sounds good! Goodnight ttyl :)
I decided I would stay up s little while longer even though my mom went to bed. I just wanted to be awake in case Julianna woke up. I just need to keep my eyes open. I can't let them close. I need to stay awake. Okay I can close them for five seconds.

"Anaiya," My mom whispered, "Wake up! Juliana is awake!"
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I'm sorry that took so long to finish!
I'm trying really hard to make this as best as I can!
Please forgive me for the emotional rollercoasters and cliffhangers 😭🙏🏼
Love you guys! ❤️🫶🏼