Is it too Late?

Twenty

Joe

I woke up to the sound of a quiet voice, and someone tapping my shoulder. It was the nurse. I hadn't gone home, that would have been too hard for me.

'Sorry, sorry- what's wrong?' I asked, straightening myself up and running my hand through my quiff.

'It's fine, I just thought you'd like to know that Mr. Lee has woken up' she said.

'He's awake? W-well does he want to see me?' I asked with hope, standing up to meet her eyes.

'I'm afraid Mr. Lee has told us specifically not to let you in..' She frowned.

'But why? What have I done wrong? Please can I just explain to him?' I pleaded.

'Sorry- but it's patients wishes and we have to do whatever we can to keep Mr. Lee happy.' She replied.

'Please; call him Caspar..'

'Caspar.' She corrected, 'and if we have any more news on him, or he changes his mind, I'll be sure to let you know.'

'Thank you..' I whispered, sitting back down in my slumped position.

I watched as she slowly made her way back down the corridor; probably to help out the other patients. I stood up and made my way over to the lift. However, I crept around the corner and entered the other ward through the double doors.

Down this corridor was other rooms coming off of it, and seeing the other people in the rooms; it just made me realise how ill Caspar really was.
I peared into each room, seeing mostly older people. Older people who had probably already lived most of their life.. But Caspar was just 22.

'What are you doing here?' I heard an all too familiar voice.

I turned around and entered the room opposite me.

'Joe, i asked what're you doing here? Did the nurse not tell you i didn't want to see you?' He strained his voice.

He seemed in pain. He seemed so ill. He seemed so stressed. This wasn't Caspar at all.

'Yes she did, but Caspar i need to explain myself' I stated.

'I don't want to hear it Joe.. You've saved your relationship with Hailey now don't blow it again' he scowled, making sure not to make eye contact with me.

'Oh.. That's what you think' I chuckled, walking closer towards his bed, making sure to shut the door behind me.

'What are you on about?' He questioned.

'I didn't go to save my relationship with Hailey: I went to end it.'

He looked me dead in the eye.

'You what?' He exclaimed; shocked.

'This is what I want. I want us. I want you' I smiled, sitting on his bed.

'But she was the best thing that happened to you?' He said.

'No, I thought that she was. But she isn't. Hailey will never compare to the way you make me feel; you make me feel happy.' I said, whilst whiping away a tear sliding down his cheek.

'And you make me feel happy too... But Joe I won't be here forever, it's only a matter of time-' he said before choking on his words and letting his tears go.

I pulled him into my arms and cuddled him, letting him cry on my shoulder.

'It's like you're trying to get rid of me' I said, making him chuckle.

'But Caspar, nobody lives forever. And so what if it's only a matter of time? That time will be our forever, and that's more important to me that anything else in this world. Sure- it may not be a lot of time, but with what we have, we won't waste a minute of it.' I smiled at him.

'Thank you Joe.'