All The Stars-Jack Harlow-FINISHED

Euphoria

"Hello?"

"Ettinnette?"

"Lukas? You okay? You sound like you're crying."

"Baba's in the hospital, Nette. Malik won't tell me anything, but I'm scared."

"What??"

---

"Daddy, I really don't wanna go to school," 14-year-old Ettinnette said to her father, who gave her a look. "Your mother would simply kill me," he said as she smacked her teeth. "Baba, it can be our secret! She don't gotta know," she laughed as a tiny groan escaped from her father's lips, making her brown eyes dart to him. "Daddy? Something wrong?" she said, inspecting his state from where she stood as he shook his head. "No, bourdon. Grab your bag so we can go," he said as she gave him an unsure look before starting to retreat up the stairs begrudgingly when she heard a thud.

"Baba?"

---

"What room is Antoine Dumont in?" Ettinnette asked worriedly, using her eyes to search the premises for any sign of her father as the nurse in front of her gave her a tired look. "Who're you to the patient?" she replied in annoyance as Ettinnette gave her a weirded-out look. "His daughter. Can you tell me where the fucking room is?" she said as the nurse smacked her teeth, not responding. "Davina?" the Trinidad girl called out, making Ettinnette turn around. "Maman," she breathed in relief, rushing to hug her as the nurse rolled her eyes at the interaction.

"Mommy, what's going on? What's happening with Baba?" she asked as her mother's face dimmed more. "It came back, my love," she whispered, making Ettinnette's face drop. "When?" she asked in a hushed voice as her eyes started to cloud with hot tears. "Last year Thanksgiving," her mother answered ashamedly, as Ettinnette's eyes widened. "What?! Why didn't you tell us?!" she questioned her mother as her mother's brows furrowed. "I told—Ettinnette?" Malik said, interrupting her mother.

Ettinnette turned to see her older brother, his face pale and eyes red from crying. "Malik, what's going on? How bad is it?" she asked, fear evident in her voice. Malik took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "What're you doing here? Don't you have—I don't give a fuck about that. Is daddy okay?" she asked, interrupting him as he sighed. "They're running tests, but it doesn't look good," he said trying to keep his voice steady for his mother and sister's sake.

"Where is he?" Ettinnette asked, her voice steadying. Malik pointed down the hallway. "Room 104. The doctors are in there with him now. They said we could go in once they're done," he explained as Ettinnette pushed down whatever she was feeling.

What was this horrible feeling in her stomach?

"Baba," Ettinnette said softly, taking her father's hand as she rushed to his side, briefly glancing at her little brother drifting in and out of sleep on the chair by the door. He smiled weakly at her, his eyes filled with love and pain. "My beautiful bourdon," he whispered. Ettinnette squeezed his hand, trying to hold back her tears. "I'm here, Baba. I'm so sorry for not being here," she said, her voice shaking.

Her father shook his head, waving the whole thing off, his eyes closing briefly as if the effort to stay awake was too much. "I'm so immensely proud of you, ma fille. You've grown into such a strong, beautiful woman," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Ettinnette's heart broke at the sight of him so weak, but she forced a smile nodding because as of lately she had felt anything but strong. And this situation made her feel utterly...