The Lie She Never Told

‎‧₊˚✧[14]✧˚₊‧

The sun rose over the city. Haerin slowly cracked her eyes open. Her body sore and tired, the events of the previous night slowly coming back to her mind.

Haerin shivered slightly, the chill of the hospital room seeping into her bones.

She slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, her body aching and stiff.

The memories of the previous night. She took in a deep breath, trying to steel herself for the day ahead, whatever it may bring.

Then she quietly made her way through the hospital hallway, her steps slow.

She stopped outside Danielle's room, pausing for a moment to gather herself before slowly opening the door and stepping inside.

Haerin entered the room quietly, her eyes falling on Danielle's still form. The other girl was fast asleep, her breath steady and slow.

She approached the bed, her footsteps soft and careful, not wanting to disturb her. She stood by the bedside, her gaze fixed on the girl's resting face.

The constant hum and beeping of the machines filled the room. Haerin's eyes moved over the monitors and equipment. It was still hard to believe.

She reached out, her hand hovering a few centimeters above Danielle's sleeping figure, her fingers itching to touch her, to offer comfort and strength, but she held herself back.

Instead the girl sank into the chair beside Danielle. She watched over her, her eyes tracing the slow rise and fall of her chest, the rhythmic beats of the heart monitor.

She noticed the oxygen tube in Danielle's nose. It seems her state worsened during the night.

"I can feel you," Danielle whispered smiling, her eyes still closed.

"You're a light sleeper, huh?" Haerin replied softly, a small smile forming on her lips as well.

Danielle slowly opened her eyes.

The sight of those eyes, still held the same warmth and sparkle.

She leaned forward in her chair, her gaze fixed on Danielle's face.

Haerin watched as Danielle carefully pushed herself into a sitting position.

There was a slight wince on Danielle's face, a hint of pain, but she managed to prop herself up against the pillow.

"You probably wonder what's wrong with me, right?"

Haerin looked at Danielle, her eyes scanning her face, trying to read the emotions behind her simple question. Then she swallowed and nodded slowly.

Danielle chuckled.

"When I was 5, the doctor's diagnosed me with something that will make my organs stop working at some point. When I turned 13 one of my kidney stopped working but they fixed it."

"There was no problem for a while, but then they noticed that my pancreas is slowly shutting down which means that if it gives up I..." Danielle explained smiling sadly.

Haerin swallowed hard, her eyes searching Danielle's face, taking in the sadness that clouded her eyes.

"But then my lungs worsened too and now, here I am."

"So, there's nothing they can do?" Haerin managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

Danielle shook her head.

"I have one week or less."

Haerin's mind raced, trying to process the informations, but her thoughts were a mess. She felt a wave of nausea and the room seemed to spin around her.