Caroline is a 16 year old cancer patient who has been practically living in her hospital room for the past few years. She spends her days with her mom, her nurse, and drawing her favorite thing: Butterflies. She believes that she will never be as be...
Most butterflies rest in their cocoon for 7-10 days but for some species this process can last up to a year. If only I could wrap up in my blankets to form my own chrysalis.
When I open my eyes I see my nurse Janet standing above me. "Caroline, you're up! How are you feeling?"
I use the railing on the side of my bed to boost myself up. My body feels extremely weak. "Okay I guess. What exactly happened?"
"You pushed your body a little too hard Caroline, and your lungs just couldn't keep up." Janet rubs my shoulder and smiles.
"But I'm okay?"
"Well you did ding your head when you fainted so we will have to keep an eye on you but other than that your vitals seem perfectly normal."
I let out a sigh of relief. My heart has been racing ever since I took that walk with Oliver but I can finally breath again. I look up at Janet and wonder why she's still here. She grins and leans on the end of my bed.
"Sooo..." She looks like a ten year old girl who's about to hear a secret.
"So?" I raise a brow.
Janet playfully slaps my knee. "Aren't you gonna tell me about the boy!?"
I pull my knees into my arms. "Janet! You are my nurse! And I don't even know what you're talking about!"
"Oh come on Caroline! The cute blonde patient down the hall? The 'Somebody help please! Caroline she needs help! Wa wa wa!' That boy?"
Janet one, Mom one, Caroline zero.
I bite my lip. There's no denying it now. "His name is Oliver and he's just my friend and we probably won't even be that anymore after I totally freaked him out by fainting! So it's nothing Janet, okay?"
Janet jumps from the bed and waves her hands enthusiastically. "Aaahh! Carry Bugs in love! In loveeee!"
"Janet! Shhhh! Can you leave now? Please?" Janet exits the room all while humming: 'Carry bugs found love! Carry bugs in love! Oh my little Carry, Carry bug!'
Gosh she was such a child! I grab my sketch pad of the table and begin to draw the outline of a new butterfly.
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