Turn Away

*Flashback*

"I'm dying. I have cancer. Remember when I found that lump? It was a tumor and it metastasized. Had I gotten checked out when I found it I would have lived. Its all my fault that I'm leaving you. You're the best friend I ever had and I'm sorry."

~~~~~~~~~~

*Kieren's pov*

That was 7 months ago when my friend Bryson told me she was dying late one night in early June. Now she's in the hospital and is as sick as ever. I was on my way to visit her and hoping this wouldn't be the last time I ever get to see her.

I met her in GSA in her freshman year. I was president and we became really close over the next few months. We even formed a coven with her other friend Jenna. We had to deal with a lot of shit most teenagers could never imagine. Now to think I might lose her is the most painful feeling in the world.

When I got to the hospital I immediately knew something was wrong. Something felt off and I knew I may never see her again. I went up to the check-in desk and the receptionist that I'd gotten to know over the past few months gave me a sad smile.

"She got worse over night hun. Go enjoy your time with her while you can. She won't last much longer. I'll finish checking you in, just go to her Kieren."

"Alright, thank you."

I walked to her room to see her and when I got there she was crying. It broke my heart to know her last day was here and she was spending it crying.

"Don't look at me Kieren. I'm hideous."

"Never. You're sick, but you're still beautiful."

"Stop lying. All my hair has fallen out and I just finished another round of chemo. I look like a fucking corpse."

"I'm not lying. You really don't look bad at all. Tired perhaps, but other than that you look amazing."

"I'm done arguing with you. I just don't have the energy. Could you maybe get me a glass of water please?"

"Of course."

I handed her the water and had to turn away to wipe the tears away. I was losing my best friend, my sister, to this terrible disease.

*Bryson's pov*

I knew he was crying. I also knew that he knew that I was dying today.

"Kieren, please don't cry. It kills me to know you're hurting over this. Everyone has to die sometime. Just enjoy the time you have right now. I want your memories of me to be happy. Please, don't be sad."

"I know, but I can't help it. This shouldn't be your time to die. I don't know if I can bring myself to be happy."

"Please do it. If not for yourself, for me."

"I'll try. For you."

"Danke."

I couldn't help but think of all the things I would miss out on with my friends as I was talking to Kieren. I would miss out on going to my senior prom, graduating, having children, getting married, and so much more. I would miss my friends getting married and having children, I'd miss out on going to Vegas with Jenna when I turned 21, and I'd miss out on all the milestones in my friends' lives. I'm glad I made it to the new year, 2013, and my 16th birthday which was yesterday January 2nd, though I'll never get to drive.

"Bryson you're being awfully quiet. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just thinking about how I'll never have a family, and how I'll never get to see you marry the man of your dreams."

"Please don't think about that. I don't want you to ruin what little time you have left by being sad."

"It's too late for that. Would it be too much to ask for one last hug?"

"Of course not."

*Kieren's POV*

I didn't want this to be the last hug I ever gave her. I wanted her to be wrong about it being too late. I still wanted that miracle. But it never came. She died in my arms that minute. The saddest thing is that I was the only one who visited her. Not even her parents cared enough to see if their daughter was still alive. In the past 3 months I was the only person besides doctors and nurses she saw. I hoped with all my heart I made her last day, week, month, and year worth it.

Then I broke down and cried.