Chim - Forbidden Love

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Cheryl’s POV

The next day.

“What’s it called again?” Her soft fingers curl around the steaming mug, and she grabs a blanket before sinking into the faded leather couch. She gently grips the back of my calves, inviting my legs onto her lap. I drape the soft red blanket over us, cuddling in close to her. Shutting my eyes, I breathe in slowly, mentally preparing myself for the questions ahead.

But I’m not scared.

Because I feel safe when I’m with her.

“Angiosarcoma” I reply shyly, twisting the corner of the blanket between my fingers nervously.

“It’s a very rare bone cancer. I have it in my knees, but it can affect any bone. At any age.  And sometimes more than once. I got diagnosed when I was 16.”

I choke up the courage to look into her eyes. The tear stricken mascara stains from yesterday’s events still linger on her cheeks. I felt guilty for leaving rehearsal early, but I just couldn’t explain myself in the bathroom stall, surrounded by sterilized white walls. Like a hospital. My body shudders with grieve stricken memories, clung to the back of my mind, refusing to let go.

I hate that place.

But now I’m here.. nestled between smooth leather and fuzzy fabric, accessing the darkest parts of my past. The ones I’ve fought so hard to keep hidden.  My train of thought is interrupted by her deep voice, soothing away my worries.

“Why didn’t you tell me..?” She sounds hurt. She looks hurt. But more than that, she looks sorry. Because there’s nothing she can do to make the pain go away. There’s nothing she can say to heal me. But I know she’ll try.

And that’s why she’s my best friend.

“It was too big of a risk… I was going to tell you eventually babe, I promise. But I just didn’t want the word to get out. I don’t know what I would do. Everything would change... I can’t even imagine the press!”

I choke on my words as the tears well up inside of me. I swallow hard, trying to muffle my visible weakness. As I open my mouth to continue, my words become heavy.

Toxic.

“I’m scared of being treated differently Kimberley. I don’t want people to think I’m some handicap who can’t do anything for herself.”

My heart rate accelerates as the anger within me builds.

Damn it Cheryl.

You’re a mess.

And then I feel her grip my wrists. She runs her soft fingers over the backs of my hands, lacing them between the spaces in mine. Her tranquilizing touch leaves me numb.

And the burning anger flees just as quickly as it came.

She glances up at me, rubbing her thumb over the top of my hand, before slowly inching the blanket off my legs.

“Do they hurt?” She asks with a sincere tone, running her eyes down my body and stopping at my knees. Her burning stare makes the blood rush to my face.

Don’t let her see you flustered Cheryl.

“Why are you blushing?”

sh!t.

At a loss for words I embarrassingly doge the question, “It hurts when I dance for too long, or if my calcium levels are low.”

She giggles at my horrible recovery and a small smile appears on her face.

I feel my hands being pressed gently into the cushions of the couch, by my sides. Her hands break contact with mine as she places one under each knee. She lowers her head and leaves light kisses on my ankles, switching back and forth, slowly making her way up my legs.

Why is she doing this to me?

“Mwah…Mwah” she repeats with every beat of contact.

I prop myself up on my elbows, watching her healing process intently.

In awe.

When her kisses reach my knees, she slows down, each one lingering a second longer than the last.

“Do they still hurt?” She looks up at me, her sentimental tone intended to be taken lightly, but I knew she meant it seriously. God she wanted to help me so badly.

Sitting up, I gradually inch my way closer to her. I cup her tanned cheek with my hand and gently stroke it. She looks at me questioningly and I notice the flushed color of her cheeks.

Now it’s my turn to smile.

I glide my thumb delicately over her parted lips. My eyes examine them, admiring their ability to mend my wounds with ease.

“I don’t feel a thing..! Thank you doctor!” I give her a wink before placing an appreciative kiss on her forehead.

She laughs and gladly steps into character, “Anytime Ms. Tweedy. I hope your services were of only the best standard today.”

For the rest of the night we laughed like children and gossiped like teenagers. It felt good. It felt right. Being with her put me at ease.  But my mind was full of unspoken thoughts. Lingering at the back of my head, torturously making me question everything.

The pain really has disappeared. I haven’t felt a twinge shoot through me once tonight. So what was different about tonight than all the other nights? ….And then it hits me.

I am with her.

And I am happy.

And suddenly I don’t feel the need to reach for a pill.

Because she’s here.

****************************************