The High Life. The final stretch

Chapter 64

We arrived in States early on Thursday morning. We headed for the band house to get some sleep.

"Rhi!" Came James's voice.

"Yeah?" I said poking my head round the door of my room

"Coming for a swim?" He said

"Yeah." I said heading back into my room to get into my bikini

I then went out to swim with James who was already joined by Ben sitting on one of the loungers reading a book

"Alright Ben." I said

"Yeah thanks." Ben said

"Where's Lilly?" I asked

"Up in our room. Hilary has asked if she minds reading something out tomorrow." Ben asked looking up at me

"Oh." I said

"Yeah a task I'm glad it's her and not me." Ben said

"Yeah." I said

I dive straight into the pool head first.

"Alright?" James askes as I surface.

"Yeah thanks." I smile.

It was lovely to be at the band house. It was weird though not having Connor and the children around but it was nice to chill out.

"Hey." Lilly appeared at the door

"Hey sweetie you okay?" I asked

"Yeah thanks. Can I read you all something?" She asked

"Yeah course." We said she sat on the end on the lounger Ben's sat on Ben moved down the lounger and put his legs either side on Lilly and put his arms around her I looked at James and we smiled

"Our friendship started at the beginning of this year when I was rushed into hospital having suffered an allergic reaction. Matt brought my food every day and would make me smile even when I was feeling rubbish. When I was finally allowed out he came to say goodbye our friendship was born. We sent each other messages and skyped. Talking late into the night. It was hard to find time to talk with the time difference but we managed. Then when out touring with my dad he came to the show and I thought he looked pale then but I didn't ask, It's not the sought of thing someone asks so I left it. We got on really well and made each other laugh. Our friendship was growing. Then, a day I will never forget, I got a letter from Matt, we'd been talking about sending each other letters but had never got round to it. But this letter was not full of life like he was it was gloomy and sad tell me something I never thought I would hear, the diagnosis of cancer. How does one person tell someone they've only know a few months that they're going to die and there is nothing anyone can do about it. I decided that I had to see him even if it's for the last time, so with my best friend we flew out here so I could spend as much time as possible with him and get to know him a little better, so that when something did happen I would have something to say about him. Matt had such a big heart and wanted to please everyone. He always wanted to make people smile and as I spent some time with him I got to know him and things about him. Too weak to do anything we just sat on his bed, watched movies and talked nothing exciting, nothing over the top. He became somewhat of a brother someone out of my close family and friends that I could talk to and it not matter, he would just listen to what I had to say and not complain. I wish I had gotten to know him a little better our friendship....." Lilly wiped away the tears that were running down her face "our friendship was just at the start of becoming something amazing. I wish it hadn't been cut short and that he could have come to the Uk to stay......His mum asked if I would write some and I hope I have covered everything.....Thank you." She folded up the bit of paper and buried her head in Ben's shoulder. Ben wrapped his arms around her.

"You ready Lilly?" I shouted up the stairs the following day

"Yeah." She came down the stairs wearing a black skirt, white blouse and a black jacket. Ben walking behind her.

"Good." I said

"James you ready?" I said knocking his bedroom door

"Yeah." He said opening the door.

"Good." I said

"Mum the car's here." Lilly said she was on the sofa.

"Okay. Let's go." I said

"Hi Hilary." Lilly said when we got to the church, Hilary was standing outside seeing people in

"Hey Lilly. So glad you could come." Hilary said giving Lilly a hug.

"Not a problem." Lilly said

"You must be Lilly's mum Rhianne." Hilary said looking at me

"Yeah. Hello." I said shaking Hilary's hand

"Do go and take a seat. Lilly can I have a word." Hilary said

"Oh course." Lilly said and while we went inside and took our seats

"Everything okay?" I asked Lilly when she appeared 5 minutes later.

"Yeah." Lilly said

"All ready. Everything please take your seats." The minister said

Half an hour later it was time for Lilly to say her bit. Tissue in her hand she stood up and walked up to the front and stood in front of everyone.

"Hilary asked if I would write some for today I wasn't sure what to say but I hope what I've written is okay." Lilly opened up her bit of paper and started to read "Our friendship started at the beginning of this year when I was rushed into hospital having suffered an allergic reaction. Matt brought my food every day and would make me smile even when I was feeling rubbish. When I was finally allowed out he came to say goodbye our friendship was born. We sent each other messages and skyped. Talking late into the night. It was hard to find time to talk with the time difference but we managed. Then when out touring with my dad he came to the show and I thought he looked pale then but I didn't ask, It's not the sought of thing someone asks so I left it. We got on really well and made each other laugh. Our friendship was growing. Then, a day I will never forget, I got a letter from Matt, we'd been talking about sending each other letters but had never got round to it. But this letter was not full of life like he was it was gloomy and sad tell me something I never thought I would hear, the diagnosis of cancer. How does one person tell someone they've only know a few months that they're going to die and there is nothing anyone can do about it. I decided that I had to see him even if it's for the last time, so with my best friend we flew out here so I could spend as much time as possible with him and get to know him a little better, so that when something did happen I would have something to say about him. Matt had such a big heart and wanted to please everyone. He always wanted to make people smile and as I spent some time with him I got to know him and things about him. Too weak to do anything we just sat on his bed, watched movies and talked nothing exciting, nothing over the top. He became somewhat of a brother someone out of my close family and friends that I could talk to and it not matter, he would just listen to what I had to say and not complain. I wish I had gotten to know him a little better our friendship....." Lilly wiped away the tears that were running down her face "our friendship was just at the start of becoming something amazing. I wish it hadn't been cut short and that he could have come to the UK to say........I hope I've said what people are all thinking. Thank you." She folded up the bit of paper and put it in her pocket.