I am riding with Paul to the beach, Kim suggested it. I get into one my new swimsuits and a beach coverup. I slide on my sneakers and necklace before I walk out the front door.
"Hey, loca." Paul greets before picking me up bridal style.
He carries me over to his truck. He puts me down and I get in on my own. I fasten my seatbelt while he closes my door and jogs over to his side. He gets in and starts the vehicle up. He notices me sweating and he turns the AC on.
He pulls out of his drive and heads toe way of the sun. We make it to First Beach soon enough. Kim engulfs me in a hug before I take my coverup off. We go and sit with he others in relationships.
"You should ask Paul out." Jared says. "He is too stubborn to do so himself."
"I will as he drives me home." I smile.
"Good." He smirks.
A soccer ball is thrown and me and has a note attached. Kim, Jared, and I all read it.
Hey Miranda, it's Paul. * I'm watching u three read this_* I was wondering f you'd like to go on a date with me tomorrow night. Kim can stay at your house, I talked to your amazing mom. She can help you get ready. Jared will be staying with me, yeah you Jared.
Love, Paul Anthony Lahote
Kim screams in excitement and Jared covers his ears fast.
"I expected her to do that." I shrug to Jared.
I write yes in the note and throw the ball back at Paul's head. He catches it and I lay back and enjoy the sun. Paul and the other guys all play soccer. They aren't human, they can't be. They are too warm, and abnormally strong. The way Paul looked me in the eye wasn't normal. I have to look this stuff up.
I watch as Paul kicks the soccer ball towards Sam. Emily finally pulls up to the beach and joins us. I greet her and she smiles at the sight of me.
"I love your freckles." Emily comments then yours her scar insecurely.
I jump up and I crouch down in front of her. I couch her scarred cheek, "what really happened, beautiful?"
"I-I can't say...." She whispers. "Top secret."
I groan. "I'll figure it out. I promise I will."
I see Sam staring at me. He heard me and o was whispering. I narrow my eyes at him and he instantly looks away. I smirk and I jog up to Paul. He looks at me confused before I pull him down into a kiss. He seems shocked and confused at first, but soon wraps his arms around my waist. I am getting butterflies and fireworks.
I bend up on my toes when we pull apart. "I know you guys aren't human, I just got to figure out what you are." I whisper.
He stares at me wide eyed as I drop to my flat feet. "Good luck."
"I know I'll figure it out; like I figured out vampires were real. You're not vampires, you're too hot, literally, and too tan. and you're alive." I narrow those options out. I gasp. "Bring me home! I need my computer."
"Let her find out Paul," Sam says. "She needs to."
"Then you drive her home." Paul says. "I'll see you tomorrow, my beautiful Miranda, for our date. Dress fancy."
Sam kisses Emily and he leads me to his truck. "I'm sorry about Paul, he is a hot head."
"I gathered as much." I chuckle. "Do you wanna come in? My mom just left for work."
"Sure; I'd like to see your research skills." Sam jokes.
He pulls into my driveway and parks. We walk inside and I notice my mom home.
"Mama, why aren't you at work?" I ask.
"Baby, I have something to tell you." Mama whimpers. "Oh, hi strange man in our home."
"Mama, this is Sam, one of my friends." I tell her.
"Hi Sam, I'm Hilary." Mama smiles. "Baby, I went to the cancer doctor in Seattle today."
"Did it come back?"
"Yes, but not in the breast." Mama whispers. "It's in my liver and it's spreading my fast."
Sam blinks at us. "Mir, do you want me to do that research for you?"
"My room is the only one upstairs." I say softly as I stare at my mother.
I can't believe her cancer is back, and worse that before. I let a tear fall before she hugs me.
"Hospice care will be out later when you come home from your friends, is Sam older?" Mama asks.
I shrug. "I think he may be in his late twenties." I reply.
"Call for him." Mama says lightly. "I can't."
"SAM!!!" I call.
Sam hands me some printed paper before he looks at my sick mom.
"Samuel, I have a favor." Mama says.
"Alright, Hilary." Sam smiles.
"First, come with that Paul fellow tonight when hospice comes, two, when I die, can you be Miranda's parental figure, watch over her." Mama says.
Sam smiles. "I'll do that. I'll build her a room at the cabin I live at across town."
"Thank you; now, go have fun, Mir. Y'all be here before 8." Mama says.
Sam and I leave and we go to his cabin, where the guys are. I have been reading the papers on the Quiluette tribe stories that Sam printed off the entire ride. We walk inside and Sam tells Paul about my mom and what she wants.
We head to my house when mom told us to. Hospice is here but they have waited for me.
"Are you the daughter and friends?" The lady in Donald Duck scrubs asks.
"Yes, I'm Miranda and these are my friends." I reply.
"Samuel and Paul?" She asks again.
"Yes, ma'am." Sam says politely.
"Let's get this going." She smiles. "I'm going to start her in radiation, it won't save her or make her live any longer, but it is procedure."
I watch as the nurse starts the radiation.
"I'll be here in the morning to start her on an IV and stay until she passes." The nurse says.
"At least she will have someone who knows what to do." I whisper. "Well, I got to get rest for my date tomorrow." I kiss mama's head and I walk upstairs.
Sam and Paul have left and went to their own homes. I take a fifteen minute shower and I go to my room. I climb into my bed and cuddle under my covers naked. I am sleeping naked tonight, too depressed to put clothes on. Kim walks up; I forgot she was staying the night.
She holds me because she has spoken with the nurse and knows I am hurting. I cry myself to sleep in my best friend's arms.
