~ Breathe ~

{Chapter 3}

"Heath, I can't deal with this anymore." Christella had a bag over her shoulder, tears in her eyes.

"Chrissy, just wait a minute, don't go —" Heath interjected, placing a hand on his sister's arm, stopping her.

"I'm not leaving for good Heath, I just need to fix my problems."

"It's barely a problem —"

"It's affecting my entire life Heath, I can't keep living like this."

"I'll go with you."

"If you say so."

It was true, Christella was in constant pain, and without medication for Anderson's disease, her life was becoming more and more difficult. She had decided the night before that it was time for her to do something about it. She was going to walk herself to the local pharmacy and ask for the medication she needed. She could only hope her plan would work.

"Lets go." She announced.

Clicking the front door open, the two children walked out of their small home and set off on the footpath.

It didn't take long until the teenagers got to the shopping centre where the pharmacy was and just as they were standing out front, Christella pulled out the money she had collected over the past few years.

"Nine dollars, nine dollars fifty cents, ten dollars. That's all the money I have." The money was in coin form, obviously coins she had found on the ground.

The two walked into the pharmacy and over to the over the counter medicine. The lady behind the counter looked at the two with a kind but inquisitive smile.

"What can I do for you two?" She asked.

"I — well — it's kind of — complicated." Christella started.

"I'll listen."

"Thank you. I — well I was seven when I was diagnosed with Anderson's disease, and my — guardians — won't do anything about it. I've come to get some medication. I have money and everything, I can't tell you whether it will be enough, but —"

"I understand. How old are you?"

"I'm thirteen."

"I wish I could help you, I really, truly do, but you're underage. We're not allowed to sell over the counter medication to minors. I'm sorry." The lady had a regretful look on her face.

"That's alright, thank you for your time." Christella walked out, head bowed, Heath beside her.

"It'll be alright Stella. I'm going to go get something for us to eat. Just stay here." Heath pointed to a seat in the middle of the shopping centre.

"Here, take my money. It's not like I have any use for it anymore." Christella shoved the money in her brother's hand.

Heath looked down toward his sister who looked on the verge of tears.

He didn't want to leave her alone, but when he asked whether she wanted to go with him, she said no.

Christella sat down and hugged her knees. She had spent hours last night planning everything out to a T. If only she were a few years older, she wouldn't be in pain anymore.

She looked down at her hands. Small red, blood coloured spots covered her hands and feet. It was another symptom of Anderson's disease. She took a deep breath and threw her hands down in frustration.

"I'm pathetic." She mumbled to herself.

A few minutes later, she lifted her head to catch a large family, with many children, all with ginger hair. They definitely drew attention to themselves with their brightly coloured hair. The smallest of the group made eye contact with Christella as they walked pass and tugged her mother's sleeve.

She and her mother approached Christella wearily.

"Hello dearie, I'm Maggie, and this is Gianna, my daughter. Gianna saw you over here crying and we just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"It's a long story — but yeah, I think I'm alright. Things happen, you know?"

Maggie nodded.

"Mum, can I stay with her for a while?" Gianna asked.

"If that's okay with you, then that's okay with me." Maggie looked to Christella.

"Of course. Some company would be nice." She smiled.

Maggie waved goodbye and Gianna started conversation.

"So, what's your name?" Gianna asked.

"My name's Christella, but feel free to call me any nicknames you think of."

"Well, hi Christella. You already know my name, Gianna, but please, call me Gia. I hate my name."

Christella chucked.

"Do you wanna play twenty questions? You can start if you want." Christella asked.

"Sure. How old are you?"

"I'm thirteen. Turned thirteen just last week actually. What about you?"

"Currently twelve, turning thirteen in August."

"That's cool. How many siblings do you have?"

Gia started laughing. "Way too many. I have seven siblings, including myself. I'm the only girl."

"Wow, that must be tough. I have one brother."

"Lucky. Hey, I was wondering, where're your parents? Or are you here alone?"

Christella shifted uncomfortably. "I — uh — well — they're, uh, dead."

"I'm so so sorry, that was the most intrusive thing, I'm so sorry —"

"It's fine, honestly."

"I'm still so sorry, I shouldn't have asked that."

"Don't beat yourself up over it."