together ✖ l.h

one.

I took a long sip from my juice box, looking like a five year old holding it in my small hands. They were pale; fingers bony. My body was definitely taking a hit from the chemotherapy. I was skinny, since I couldn't really hold anything down. Dark circles had come up underneath my dark eyes; I definitely looked like a zombie. The grey shirt I was wearing hung loosely on my body, the shorts engulfing my thin legs.

"Mads, do you need anything?" My mother asked, tapping her knuckles on the door. I sat up in the hospital bed, crossing my legs. I sat the juice on the table beside me, wiping my hands on the covers.

"Can we go somewhere? Like on a walk?" I had asked her the same question every day, to which she replied a simple 'no.'or 'you're not healthy enough yet, dear.' And I wondered if I'd ever feel sun on my skin again.

"I don't know. . ." She trailed off, sitting on the edge of my bed. This was how it usually went. She'd give me a lecture and tell me that I wasn't ready to get worked up yet. I hated sitting in bed all day, staring at the walls or watching television. She said that if I did go outside, I'd have to wear sunscreen, which I hate. It's sticky, and smells terrible.

"Do you really want to?" She asked, cocking a eyebrow. It was surprising at first, that she'd even ask that. Of course I wanted to. I'd been asking her for the past month to at least stick a finger into the sunlight. I just wanted to feel it's warmth.

"Yes, I do, mother." I smiled, nodding my head a few times. If she did let me go outside, today was definitely going to be the best day of my life.

"Then let's go." She clasped her hands together in one quick motion. I scrambled out of bed, careful not to knock over the oxygen tank that was sitting next to my bed. I rolled it along behind me as I followed my mother down the halls of the hospital, bouncing with excitement.

"Hello, Grace, how's Madeline?" A nurse asked, popping her head over the counter.

"She seems to be doing great," My mother said, smiling wide. It was as if I wasn't even there. Couldn't they let me answer for myself? I was definitely not doing great. I felt like pure crap.

"Are you taking her outside?" She questioned, frowning slightly. Do they want me to be locked up in here like a prisoner for the rest of my very few days or something?

"I think she's ready." My mother looked at me, winking. She took my hand in hers as we walked, waving over her shoulder to the nurse.

✖ ✖

"Choose anything you'd like." My mother said, crossing her arms and smiling. I looked at the various cupcakes and truffles they had, only to feel a finger tapping on my shoulder.

"Their chocolate donuts are the best." I looked over to see a tall, blonde boy with striking blue eyes looking down at me with a smile on his face. He had a loose plain black shirt on, paired with tight black skinny jeans. I looked around, my eyes wide. Was he talking to me?

I nodded and smiled, not knowing what exactly to say back. I turned my head, expecting to see my mother, but she had left. Did she seriously leave me alone with a boy?! My mother really pushes my buttons sometimes.

"You here with someone?" He had an Australian accent, which only made him even more cute.

"My mom." I said, glancing up at him. I watched as he looked around, probably looking for my mom.

"I guess I'll keep you company, then?" He must've caught onto the fact that my mother had ditched me. Probably on purpose the moment she saw him. She'd been trying for years for me to get a boyfriend, and I guess she jumped onto this opportunity.

"Alright," I probably looked like a clown I was smiling so big.

"I'll pay for that donut, too." He said, walking over to the counter. I tried to tell him he didn't have to, but he wouldn't take any of it.

✖ ✖

"Alright, now, tell me about yourself." He leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of the smoothie he had ordered. He licked his lips, setting it down on the table.

"Are you just gonna stare at me or are you gonna talk? I know I'm gorgeous but. . ." He trailed off. I choked back a laugh, my face going a light shade of pink.

"My name is Madeline, but you can just call me Mads." I swallowed the last bit of doughnut I had left, praying that my stomach would agree with me just this once. It would be so embarrassing to throw up in front of a cute boy. I tugged the beanie tighter on my head, furrowing my brows. I must look like a freak to him.

"My name is Luke. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mads." He downed the rest of his smoothie, leaning over the table.

"Um. . ." I tried to think of what else to say to him, other than my name. In truth, I wasn't a very interesting person.

"I have a pet cat back home named Maury." I said, only to have Luke laugh.

"Maury? What kind of name is Maury?" He teased.

"Hey, that famous guy on television is named Maury!" I protested, crossing my arms over my chest.

"So, you named him after that old guy on television that talks to crazy people?" He said, laughing a little again.

". . . Maybe." I giggled. I loved the sound of his laugh. It lit my heart on fire; made me feel happy by just listening to it.

"Well, is Maury a cute cat?"

"The cutest."

"I'd like to see him someday."

I gave him a crooked smile, cocking my head to the side.

"Maybe you will." I said quietly, crumbling up the napkin the doughnut had been on.

We sat in silence. I kept my eyes on the granite table that was between us, not daring to look at him. I'd get flustered again and choke on my own tongue.

"Can I have your number?" He asked out of nowhere. My eyes went wide, my heart fluttering in my chest. I nodded, and he quickly took out his phone. I typed in my number, saving it in his contacts.

"Alright, dear, it's time to go." I heard my mom behind me, feeling her hand on my shoulder. Was she listening the whole time? Just waiting for me to give him my number? I swear. . .

I stood up, giving Luke a small wave, taking the handle of my oxygen tank and walking out of the cafe, my mother following closely behind.