Fall For Me

Chapter Part 9

Natalie's P.O.V-

I started chemotherapy shortly after my night with Austin. It was scary- all the big needles and sterile hospitals. It made me feel lonely and empty. During this time I refused to see Austin. I wouldn't even call him. The humiliation was too great. It was too often that I was sleeping or throwing up. I couldn't even get out of bed, let alone shower.

My doctors let me go home for a couple weeks after the chemo was done. My mom had to be my crutch as I walked through the front door of the house, eyes drooping, feet dragging, and pale faced. I almost started crying when I saw Austin pacing in my kitchen. 

"Hi, Austin." My mom smiled at him as he rushed to my mom's side to help me onto the couch. It was my first instict to shy away from him. I couldn't believe he was seeing me in such a vulnerable position.

Austin's P.O.V-

Seeing Natalie walk through the door was the most heart-wrenching image I'd ever seen. I wanted nothing more than to rush to her side, but when she shied away from me, my heart sunk. All I wanted was to take care of her. 

Her mom ended up getting her to the couch. She had tubes in her nose and her face was pale. She was a lot thinner and frailer than the last time I saw her. I sat a comfortable distance away from her, but still next to her. She wouldn't meet my eyes.

"I'm going to let you guys talk." Her mom said. "Holler if you need anything." She walked into the kitchen.

"Natalie." I breathed her name as I watched her stare at the ground, breathing slowly in and out. "Please look at me." Her head slowly turned and her eyes looked into mine and she was crying and I knew I loved her. I put my hands on her delicate cheeks and told her how much I had missed her. She started crying even harder and took my hand and pressed it against her mouth. 

"I'm so scared." She whispered softly and slowly put her head against my chest. My arms went around her little body carefully but she felt so good pressed up against me. I wanted to hold her forever, to keep her safe and protect her from everything that was hurting her.

We sat there until her mom walked back in and asked if we were hungry. Before I could shake my head no, Natalie turned to the side and began to vomit. Her mom came rushing over and held her hair back as she led her to the bathroom. I was shocked. I had never seen something like this. I tried to follow them but Natalie began screaming. "Get out!" She yelled at me. "Austin, leave! Get out!" She said in between hurling.

"Natalie, please-" I began but she interrupted me. "I don't want you to see me like this." She was crying again and her nose had begun bleeding. "Please, get out." I reached out for her but her mom stepped between us.

"You should go." She said sadly, and there were tears in her eyes. "I'll have her call you later, okay? It's better that you just let her be for now." I felt my heart break in my chest as I looked at Natalie lying on the bathroom floor, covered in blood and her own vomit, knowing I could do nothing to help her.