Being alone was one of my favorite things. Anyone who'd try to become close with me, i'd try to push them away as much as possible. It's not my fault. I didnt want to get close anyone in case of the unfortunate event that i do end up dying from this sickness. I didn't want to hurt anybody more than i most likely already am just from being sick to begin with.
It's strange actually. Because when im with tyler, all i want is to get closer to him.
We decided to go for a walk around the hospital. romantic, I know. Maybe the cafeteria could be our five star french cuisine restaurant.
"so.. tyler, what's your story? why're you in this hell hole?" maybe i'm asking too much, too soon.
"well, uh.. it all started at around 19"
I mentally prepared myself for whatever story was about to come my way.
"Freshman year of college. I guess i'm really in to music. Well, i was doing a show, if you could even call it that, in someones living room. There wasn't even a stage, let alone any room to perform. Well, in the middle of the set, my bones hurt. a lot. It was that type of pain where you're in such a state of shock that you can't breathe. Like a surge of electricity coursing through your body and theres nothing you can possibly do to stop it." He started to get worked up. Each breath got shorter as he spoke his words faster. It was like slam poetry. It was heartbreaking but beautiful in a way.
"and before i knew it i was on the floor unconscious." Tylers breath and words got shorter and slower as he calmed down. He paused his story for a brief minute to look up at me.
With tears gathered in his eyes.
It was at the point where you if blink at the slightest, all the tears on the brink of your waterline, fall. Even if you wanted to stop yourself from crying, you couldn't.
"i.. i'm sor-"
Tyler chuckles. It was a pity chuckle at himself. Then he continues.
"I woke up in this same hospital. Seemed like my entire family tree came just to check on my well being. That's when I knew I was not going to be okay."
I felt such a heaviness on my chest. Like it was being pushed down in hopes for me to lose my breath.
Then the tears came, but not from tyler.
From me.
Such a pure person didn't deserve such an awful life.
"please dont cry josh. it'll get better eventually." a half smile formed on his face as he rubbed my shoulder for comfort.
"then, the doctors came in. They informed me i had something called 'osteosarcoma". In words us non-doctors would understand, bone cancer. It's pretty common and easy to get rid of but with the toll it takes on you, none of that matters.
Tyler's been staring at his feet this entire time. As if he's afraid to look up at me to see me in tears.
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We got to the cafeteria, grabbed some food and sat down at a table closest to a window. I like the outside. Especially when it's near impossible to witness firsthand. They don't want me outside. They told me if i get sick in any way, shape or form, it could have an extreme toll on the way my cancer continues. You have to learn to appreciate the more little things in life before its too late.
We started talking about more brighter and positive things. He told me he's from Columbus, Ohio which i thought was so cool because that's where im from. He has three siblings. A sister, and two brothers. He loved video games. One of his favorites were super smash bros. He said he'd promise to teach me one day.
I started to grow comfortable with him extremely fast. Most of the time im not comfortable around anybody. Not even my own parents. We laughed together a lot and not once did I feel awkward around him. This may sound cliche but even though I just met him, I feel like we've known eachother for so much longer.
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"your hair is pretty" he went to touch it but i stopped him. I didnt want to seem too comfortable just yet.
"oh uh sorry i didnt mean t-"
"it's alright i just dont like when people touch it. I get worried it'll fall out faster. That sounds stupid but oh well"
"ruby red"
"what?"
"ruby red. that's your new nickname. It's the color of your hair so it fits."
"golden brown. that's your new nickname."
"i like it."
We both walked back to our own rooms and went to sleep.
I really like this kid.
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"TYLER PLEASE WAKE UP TYLER DONT LEAVE PLEASE" a female voice screams at the top of her lungs with each word cracking
Multiple doctors and nurses are rushing in to the room next to me.
Tyler's room.
"PLEASE BABY WAKE UP" the scream begins to turn in to a sob as doctors pull her out of the room
I slowly get out of my bed trying not to be seen and stand at the door frame listening to the entire situation.
My hearts beating so fast i NEED to know if tyler is okay.
Please be okay tyler. Please.
Maybe about 15 minutes later I see a familiar face walk out of tyler's room looking melancholy. It was doctor Weekes. He walked up to Mr and Mrs Joseph giving them news they'd never want to hear.
Tyler hadn't made it.
Knees dropped. His mother screaming such a scream i've only heard in movies. But it wasn't a movie. It was reality. Their entire life had just been taken from them. His dad had a blank stare. No words left his mouth just..shock.
They roll his bed out in the hallway with Tyler still in it. I made eye contact with his soulless body, just an empty carcass.
And then I woke up.
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JESUS CHRIST i hated writing this chapter SO much
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