The Boy Upstairs /tronnor/

one

Troye

I don't even remember the last time my feet touched grass outside of this hospital. I don't remember what warm sunlight feels like. I don't even remember what having a friend feels like, all I have are the nurses that come in to change my bedpan or give me a sponge bath every day. It's always the same routine too.

When you've been living in a hospital fighting lung cancer for almost eight months, you get used to it.

Of course, I haven't lived in the hospital all this time. That would be nuts. No, I've been in and out. I guess you can say I've had my bad times and my good ones.

One of the many doctors I've interacted with over the last eight months, Dr. Jonathan Harris, is outside talking to my mum, probably about when I'm going to go home, or if. I sigh to myself and take out my phone, scrolling through the many texts I have received asking if I'm okay. The one I truly care about, however, hasn't come through yet. Maybe he went home again. My heart sinks in sadness at the thought. 

Connor Franta is a very lively boy indeed. If you had the pleasure of knowing him like I did, you'd agree. Caramel brown hair, the most gorgeous emerald eyes you ever did see. Amazing fashion sense. Constantly in and out of the patient ward upstairs, constant bouts with pneumonia. I had heard of this boy, of course, seeing as all the boys in my ward who "batted for the other team," as you might say, were in a group chat, and at least three of them always texted in all caps and giddy whenever Connor checked in. I, however, didn't see what the fuss was about. Until I met him.

Extremely wise beyond his mere 17 years, Connor was an enigma of mystery from the moment we met. I, also, tried to play the mysterious card. But nobody could pull off mystery like Connor Joel Franta could. He kept to himself a lot, barely interacted with anyone in this hospital besides staff, and that also was hardly ever. His mother was always with him and by his side. I guess she was his ambassador of sorts.

It was a dreary Wednesday when we fatefully met. Dreary days aren't exactly common in Los Angeles, so everyone in Good Samaritan Hospital was kind of off that day. Maybe that's why nobody was too shocked when Connor walked in the lunch room alone, without his mother, and smiled and said hello to the chief of medicine. Jackson, one of the aforementioned three boys who was obsessed with Connor, seemed as shocked as anyone.

"Maybe he'll come sit with us." He murmured giddily, making us all laugh.

"How do you know he's even gay?" I mutter with a smirk, taking a bite of my apple which is too sweet, so I swallow my bite and put my apple back on my plate.

"Are you kidding me?" Jace, another friend of ours, took a bite of his diced pineapples. "Look at his outfits. The kid is flaming."

"Jace!" I gasped as Connor walked by. We made quick eye contact and I felt something stir in my stomach.

To cut to the chase, a few minutes later I went up to get some Jello and we were both eyeballing the last cup and spent like ten minutes bickering over who should get it. In conclusion, Connor ended up with the Jello cup, I ended up with a new contact in my phone, and also ended up being interrogated on the whole ordeal by Jackson, Jace, and Michael, our third friend. 

Connor and I have been texting quite a bit but have never really had any serious talks. We came out to each other but nothing has really changed between us since. And I'm starting to feel like my chances at pursuing a relationship with him are dwindling down.

My phone buzzes suddenly and I know it's the group chat. I pull out my phone and read the message.

Michael: Sup bitches

Jackson: What's up hoe?

Jace: Wow guys

Me: Hey, guys, does anyone know if Connor is still checked in?

Jace: Missing bae?

Me: You bastard. Just tell me where the kid is.

Michael: He got released this morning. 

Jackson: Aw Troye boy :(

Me: Shut up lmao

I feel a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach knowing that I'm not sure when I'll see my friend again, but I suck it up and put on my music while reclining my bed. Oh Wonder softly comes through the small speaker end of my phone and I sigh contently and let my eyes drift shut, closing out the world as I fall asleep to my music, the one last tradition I am still able to hold on to from home.

//IM SO PUMPED FOR THIS AND ALSO FIRST STORY YAY AND ALSO UPLOADING THE FIRST CHAPTER THE DAY I OPEN MY ACCOUNT WHATS UP WITH THAT//