The Original Four

Chapter 9

Dear Diary,

Things were finally starting to clear up. Or so I thought . . .

Two months have passed since I was diagnosed with leukemia. The treatment seems to be working, and the doctors are handling the bone marrow donor. The nose bleeds are less frequent, but my hair still hasn't grown back yet.

The Howard's are currently over at our house for dinner. Alex and I were more than excited being that we were getting ice cream afterwards.

"Daniel, remember in kindergarten when you threw paint at our teacher?" Nick, Alex's dad, says laughing. They are reminiscing their grammar school days.

My dad's eyes widen. "How could I forget? Remember the time she knelt down in front of you, and you cut off a strand of her-"

My dad looks over at me and stops talking. I know what he was going to say. He doesn't have to lie, or pretend it didn't happen.

Not only am I dying, but my relationship with my father is dying as well. We used to be close, we used to tell each other everything.

It's different now.

I'm a dying girl, and he's a heartbroken father.

"Who wants more pasta?" my mom asks.

None of us say anything. We just sit there quietly, letting our thoughts take matters into their own hands.

The phone rings, breaking the awkward silence. My dad answers it and leaves the room soon after.

"Who is that?" I ask mom.

"I don't know."

My dad comes back about ten minutes later looking crushed. "Dad, what's wrong? Who were you on the phone with?"

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "That was the doctor." He takes a deep breath. "They lost the donor for your bone marrow. I'm so sorry, Soph."

"Oh. Um . . . I'll be right back." I leave the dining room, taking my walker with me, and make my way up the stairs. I sit at the edge of my bed, pouring my eyes out.

Why does this have to happen?

No one deserves this pain.

Not one single person.

"Sophia, it's me Alex . . . I know you're in there . . . Please let me come in. I want to talk with you . . . I know you're going through a lot right now, and I can't imagine how you feel but please trust me . . . Give me a chance."

I smile through the tears at his last four words and let him in. Alex kisses my lips softly. "I'm here for you. I always will be. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

"Thank you," I reply pressing my lips onto his. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"I love you."

I smile and kiss his cheek. I'm not ready to tell him. Saying I love him is like promising that I'll beat cancer.

Impossible.