A heart of Gold// Ethan Dolan

Chapter 8

Friday 22nd of September;

The sun peeked in my bedroom window, lighting my hair like a fiery halo. I lifted my head from the pillow, my messy hair tumbling down my back like a waterfall. The Sun's vibrant rays sent a glossy, gold sheen all around the room, blending with the falling leaves of Autumn. The twins pop into my mind. I hadn't seen the twins for like 5 months, I don't know why...I guess our schedules were too busy.  My phone vibrates as I glance to see who it was. "H-hello," I said still half asleep. "Hello, hunny...it's your mother". I was now fully awake and aware, anxious about what she might say. "He's gone," my mother's soft voice says. My heart sank as I could feel hot tears about to form. "W-Whens the funeral?" my shaky voice asks. "Next Tuesday," she says quietly. "I'll be there," I tell her as I choke on my own words. "I'll talk to you later hunny. I love you" she says before hanging up. The doctors said he would live. They said he would be alright and the cancer will go away. Lies. But deep down I knew it wouldn't. My dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer for many years, and he always won the battle. I guess this time...he couldn't. I wipe away the hot tear and snuggle up in my bed. I went back to sleep not caring about a number of meetings I had today.I didn't want to wake up. I was having a much better time asleep. And that's really sad. It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you're so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare.  

**

My phone vibrates causing me to wake up. I reach for it, hold the bright screen to my squinting eyes, and look at all my missing calls and texts. I scroll through the notifications to see multiple messages from Lucy and my manager. I roll my eyes and put my phone back. I decide to get up because it was like 4:30 pm, and I think it's pretty unhealthy to stay in bed all day. I floundered around making my way to the bathroom. I stumble into the bathroom as I roughly lay my arms on the sink. I burst out into tears. "WHY ME!" I scream as I punch the mirror. I stopped punching the mirror as I realized what I had done. I look at the glass everywhere and some in my hand. The next thing I know my head begins to get lighter and lights and...I was out. 

I slowly started blinking, desperately trying to open my eyes and see what's around me. Where am I? As the blinding light slowly subsided I could take a look at my surroundings. I was at the hospital. I look to my right to see an IV monitor beeping. I sigh. The thoughts of what had happened earlier then hit me. I tried to get up from the bed but I was too powerless. A nurse walks in holding a clipboard. "Hello Miss Michael," the sweet lady says smiling at me. I give her a slight smile. "How are you feeling?" she asks taking out a pen. "Been better...u-um when can I leave?" I ask sheepishly. "Someone will be picking you up soon!" the kind nurse says. "Could I please have some privacy?" I ask trying not to sound rude. "Sure darling," the nurse says and with that, she left. I noticed I had a TV in my room and I was kinda bored. I looked around for a remote and spotted it at the end of my bed. I try to lunge for it but I wasn't really flexible enough. "Here," Ethan says handing me the remote. "W-When did you come!?" I exclaim. "Like 3 seconds ago," he says quietly chuckling. I didn't feel like watching TV anymore so I put the remote next to me. Ethan then sits on the edge of the bed. "I-I heard what happened..." he trails off. "Yeah." I bluntly say looking down holding the urge to cry. I then feel warm arms wrap around me. I look up to see Ethan. I hug him back generously and we stayed like that for a few minutes. It was broken when Lucy and Grayson ran in. The two of them attacked me with hugs. "Haha, missed youse too," I say trying to unravel from the hug. "Do you want to leave?" Ethan asks now standing up behind the bed. "Yes!" I squeal. The three of them then help me out of my bed. I quickly get changed and we all walked out. 

The car trip was kinda awkward, but not the type of cringe awkward... the good one. *Cough**Cough* "So um I was wondering..."  I trail off before the three of them chimed in "yes, we'll come". "Thanks" I quietly mutter but loud enough for them to hear. 

Sunday 24th of September;

When we reached the airport we all rushed to our line for our plane. We had all taken an expectantly longer time to get ready, hence why we nearly missed our flight. There were plasma screens of arrival and departure times on the wall of the airport. People were lined up at the check in desk with suitcases and baggage. I see our line and we quickly run before the lady closes the door. "You guys are very lucky!" she seriously says quickly opening the door. 

"28, 29, 30...31!" I exclaimed. I put my luggage away and go sit in my seat. And once again it was a window seat. I watched as Ethan then comes sits next to me. "Hey," Ethan says as he locks in his seatbelt. "Hey" I soundlessly say. 

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"Good afternoon Lady's and Gentleman, we'll be landing in 2 minutes so please start getting ready" the pilot buzzes in. I look out the window and watch as we land. Soon people start getting up and getting their luggage. 

When we got to the airport it wasn't very busy. I look around for my family anxiously until I spot a little family holding the name tag "Daya". I smile to myself. "Mum!" I yell as I run up to her. I watched as her face turns around. Once she saw me a big smile appears on her face. "Daya baby!" she screams. I attack my mum into a hug. I unravel from the hug to see my two siblings Maxine and Jed. I go to Jed and give him a hug as I noogie his hair. By now I had tears streaming down my face. I look at my sister's sad face as I also embrace her in a tight hug. I untangle from the hug and back away. I look next to me to see Lucy, Ethan, and Grayson was already greeting themselves. I look at Ethan talking to my mother as they're both laughing as they point to me. I tilt my head to the side in confusion as I furrow my eyebrows at the two of them. They continue to laugh. "Okay, let's go home!" My mum says cheerfully. I grab my suitcases and we go to the car.

**

I open the door to my room to see it was still untouched. I walk in dumping my stuff on the ground before jumping onto the bed. "Nice room," Ethan says observes it. He walks away before I could answer him. I get up and decide to unpack. "Hey, where am I staying?" Lucy asks also dumping her luggage on the ground. I peep my eyes to what was behind her. She turns around swiftly to notice another bed similar to mine. "Oh! wait why do you have 2 beds?" Lucy asks. "Because why not," I say giggling. The rest of the afternoon went pretty slowly as I showed the three of them around town. When we got home it was already dinner time. 

We made our way to the dinner table and I noticed that there were 2 more plates. I decided not to question my mum knowing she probably wouldn't tell me. I sat down across from Ethan while Lucy sat on the left of me and Jed on the right. My mother then brings out plates of foods and we all dig in. A few minutes after digging in the doorbell rings. My mum jumps up and runs to the door. I furrow my eyebrows confused why she would be so happy. Then the one person I thought I would never see again...walks in. Theo James. My ex. He still looked good as ever. As fit as he was before and that same smirk always appearing on his face. Then in walks, his bratty stuck up older sister, Layla. "Uuh welcome children! Make yourselves at home" My mum greets them motioning for them to sit wherever. Layla sits next to Ethan as Theo sits next to Grayson. "Wassup bro" The boys greet each other holding up fist bumps. I mentally face palm to myself knowing this night couldn't get any worse.