Caroline's Butterflies

Chapter 2

Butterflies range in size from a teeny 1/8 inch to a whopping 12 inches! Despite the differences most butterflies get along fine. Usually.

"Miss Caroline! Wake up sleepy head!"

Gregory's grin is not very pleasant to wake up to. I jump and my arm hits the side bar of my bed.

"Ooh careful sweetheart!" Nurse Gregory hands me a tray with a cup of orange juice and nasty hospital oatmeal. "Eat up sweet girl, I'm hoping we can get our laps in before 10." I groan and take a bite of my oatmeal.

It's already 9:52 by the time he manages to get me into the hall. I slowly walk next to Gregory who holds my unfinished orange juice. It's a requirement for all patients to finish their meals. Got to get those nutrients!

"I thought we could go somewhere new today!" Gregory announces.

I raise my eyebrow. "Like where?"

"You know surprises can be fun Caroline!"

"I don't like surprises Gregory." All I got was a chuckle.

My feet made a squeak on the tile due to the sharp stop. No, no, no, absolute no! I think my throat is closing up. I need to get back to my room ASAP. I make a 180° turn but before I can make a run for it I feel Gregory's palm on my shoulder stopping me.

"I'm not going in the teen center! I am not, I am not, I can't Gregory!" Maybe if I say it enough he'll let me go.

"Caroline, it will be fun! You're going in there. Doctors orders." Nurse Gregory gives me a gentle nudge towards the door.

I squint my blue eyes as tight as they'll go before actually shutting and grunt, "You are a nurse!" Before entering my doom.

The room is purple. Yes purple. I walk in the neon room and position myself on a chair far away from everyone else. I look back for Gregory but he has left me to die. I look around and see cancer patients of all shapes and sizes. I make awkward eye contact with a boy across the room who like myself is sitting alone. He is wearing a grey t shirt and sweats. His hair is dirty blonde and messy. He... oh crap. He's standing up, he's walking over, shoot. I look away but it's too late. I look down at my huge navy sweatshirt and black leggings covered with lint. Crap I look bad, Maybe if I... Why is he sitting oh shoot-

"I'm Oliver" It was too late. He looked right into my eyes and I stared into the green creamy world that made his.

"Caroline," I say. "That's my name. Caroline."

Oliver laughed. "Well I would assume so, unless you just call out random names for the world to hear. I mean, Do you?"

"Uh no, sorry." Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why am I so dumb?

"So Caroline..." Oliver swiveled back and forth in his chair. "Do you want to see something cool?"

Um no not really. "Sure!"