Dating the Dead • lrh

32. the white room

For a week, I have rehearsed what I was going to say to Shelby when I see her. Something about not planning to leave her no matter how hard she'd push me away. But now? I don't even know how to speak.

We somehow ended up in my room.

She walked around to inspect. I watched her as I sat on the edge of my bed. She wore her usual pink and yellow Converse, skinny jeans, and a green shirt twice her size.

I smiled to myself while she continued to look at my things.

I've missed her. More than necessary.

But she looked different. Her brown curls used to cascade over her back. Now it barely touched her shoulders.

"Your hair," I said once she sat cross-legged on my swivel chair. She was a good three feet away but I could see her eyes twinkle as she smiled.

I smiled back.

God, I want to rush over to her but that would be creepy. Even by my standards.

"You like it?" She touched the ends of her hair. Something in her eyes shifted. Like a thought had crossed her mind, making her drop the smile.

I chose to ignore it.

"Yeah, it looks good on you," I praised, "but why though?"

She forced a smile. "Aren't you going to ask me where I've been?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.

"Well," I fiddled with my fingers, "I wanted to know where you were all this time but I figured, I thought, if I deserved to know, then you'd tell me."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, they looked sad. Teary, even.

"Do you remember Molly?" Her voice cracked, and I nodded. I honestly don't like where this conversation is going but I let her speak. "Well, she was hospitalized last week and-" She choked back tears.

As much as I wanted to know what happened, my chest constricted seeing her like that. "You don't have to tell me now," I offered.

She shook her head. "It's okay," she said, wiping her tears. And I itched to wipe them myself. "Molly was diagnosed with stage two leukemia."

My jaw dropped and my heart seemed to stop beating. "Oh my god" was all I could say. While I sat on my bed, shocked, Shelby was crying.

I walked towards her. She had her face buried in her palms. I placed a hand on her shoulder and she wrapped her arms around my torso. It pained me to see Shelby break down like this. But it pained me more to know that a three year old could have such illness.

"I-I-I was t-trying s-s-so ha-rd to stay s-strong for t-the past w-w-week-"

"Shh, it's okay. I understand." I rubbed her back to help her feel a bit better. After a minute or two, she let go and wiped her tears. I dropped to one knee so I could see her properly. "Hey, are you good?"

She weakly nodded, forcing a small smile. "Can I use your bathroom?" I gave her a nod and she stood up. "Thanks."

While I waited for Shelby to come out, sitting on the swivel chair, Jack came barging in my room. "I just wanna check if everything's still PG 'round here." His voice boomed just as the door to my bathroom opened.

"And what would you do if it's not?" Shelby walked out, a funny look on her face as she stared at Jack.

"I'd rejoice and fetch my ten bucks from Ben," Jack leaned against the doorway.