Our World {In a Heartbeat}

.:Chapter 1:.

Listen to the song if you can, it kinda suits this entire book.

Sherwin hadn't ever thought the whole soulmate thing was real, he loved the story but such a thing couldn't be true. It seemed too good to be stuck in a world where you and your soulmate could live because you'd never had the chance during life.

He didn't believe it.

That was until he got sick.

Then he prayed it'd be real, he'd daydream about it because he knew what the doctors were telling his parents but not him.

He knew that the cancer had gotten to his brain like he'd feared, when he saw the look in his parents eyes.

He hated every moment of being stuck in that hospital bed, the drugs making him feel nauseous but he knew he didn't want to stop them because the pain that they were masking.

And oh god, when Sherwin lost his hair he could hear his mother crying about how he was too young for this. Crying about how a ten year old shouldn't have to go through this, let alone anyone. It seemed like such a small thing, but loosing his hair made him feel like he'd already died. He never knew how much he'd miss his unruly flop of ginger hair, how much he'd miss the struggle of making it look somewhat presentable.

As the months of staying in that hospital room turned to a year, he'd given up.

Smiling took too much energy, it crack his always dry lips and made them bleed. His voice came out weak and croaky, every word feeling like sandpaper was attacking his parched throat.

His parents tried their best, they brought him books, paper and drawing pencils. When he didn't have the energy to do so much as turn the page, they'd read to him. When Sherwin blacked out at random points, he'd wake up and they'd take off right where he'd passed out at but their eyes would be red and puffy from tears and their voices would crack.

When he was alone and awake, all he would think about was that he hadn't met his soulmate. He did his best to remain positive and try to imagine what the soulmate world would look like. What his soulmate looked like.

But like they often did, his thoughts would loose any positivity. What is his soulmate was... was a girl? What if it really is just a children's story? What if he died here for good, never meeting his soulmate, never even reaching the age twelve, not being able to drive or make his mark on the world? Not able to paint something that'd inspire others?

The thoughts would plague his mind as he slipped in and out of consciousness, his mind hazy from the painkillers and body full of pain despite any drug he'd be given.

As the hours passed, he watched as his mother read a book about some boy around his age and gods, her red hair messy and pulled in a tight bun. Her neon green eyes shifting from the words on the page to him, her angelic voice never pausing as she did so.

Sherwin watched as his father held his hand and rubbed his mothers back, his curly brown hair more unruly than ever and his brown eyes tear filled.

A small smile graced Sherwin's dry lips as he watched his four year old brother sleep peacefully. His body curled up next to Sherwin, careful not to touch the wires like he was told.

He watched as his older sister held back tears, her curly red hair stuck to her face and shoulders, her clothes clinging to her body and dripping, her green eyes like an open book. It revealed all he needed to know about why she'd run from school for an hour in pouring rain to reach him.

He wasn't going to last any longer. He was dying and even if he hadn't been told, he knew today was going to be the last.

"I-it's ok." Sherwin managed to whisper, his voice barely being heard. "It's gonna be ok."

Just hearing these words, his older sister, Emily, burst into tears. She made her way over and squeezed Sherwin's hand. He'd give anything for the energy to be able to squeeze her hand back to comfort her.

This was his older sister, the sister that'd help him discover his own sexuality. The sister that'd given the jerk at school a bloody nose for saying shit about him. The sister who had helped him with his social anxiety. The sister that spent her weekends in the hospital instead of with her friends.

Instead he only looked at her and forced a painful smile.

"Of course it's going to be alright." His mum gave him a large smile but her dimples didn't show, her eyes not crinkling like they normally did when she was smiling properly.

She set down the book and kissed his forehead, loose strands of hair brushed against his skin and he smiled internally, closing his eyes for a few seconds. Sherwin was content for it to end like this, he knew he couldn't keep living with the little energy he had.

The heart monitor beeped slightly slower, so he forced his eyes open. His family looked scared shitless, his brother Ben was even awake.

I must have fallen asleep again, Sherwin thought drowsily.

However, his eyelids felt heavier and he felt even more drained of energy compared to before he'd slept.

"Sher?" Ben asked quietly, placing a softy chubby hand on his brothers hollow cheek.

"Hey..." Sherwin nearly managed to utter.

His family were closer then they had been, all being as close as they could to the dying boy. He didn't mind at all, it was more comforting knowing they were all there.

"I...I'm tired..." He croaked out, throat burning with every syllable he strained it to make.

"I know, buddy." His dad did his best to keep his emotions in check, but Sherwin got his emotional personality from him. Tears managed to fall from his eyes despite his efforts.

Sherwin forced his lungs to take in more oxygen, his chest rattling as he did so.

Was everything getting blurry?

"We love you, baby." His mum said, small sobs escaping her mouth as she spoke.

"I love..." He had to force another painful breath before continuing. "You g-guys too."

Not wanting to see the sadness he was forcing on them, the eleven year old closed his eyes. His breath escaped with a small sigh, his chest becoming lighter, his head no longer throbbing in agony, his body no longer tired.

Finally he opened his eyes, a bright light shone through the branches from the tree above him.

---
Sorry not sorry.
I cried writing this and I hope you like it...?
This story in gonna be kind of sad in the beginning, but it'll get happier and fluffier as it goes on!!

-TFG