Youth | Lynn Gunn

Chapter Two

We live in circles
And it's so hard to breathe

"Come on Miller honey, it's time to get up." The nurses voice rang through.

I wiped at my eyes and looked over my shoulder, the nurses warm smile being the first thing i see. She moved some of the hair that had been in my face.

"Good morning sunshine." She whispered.

I pulled myself up in the bed, i looked around the room. In a split second, everything hitting as i remembered the days events from yesterday.

It played like a movie reel as i let out the held breaths that i didn't even realize that i was keeping in.

"We are doing group therapy right now, do you want to come with? I think it would be fun."

"I uh. Sure?" I answered.

She clapped her hands together as she grabbed the suitcase from the closet and slid it out to the bed. She picked it up with a huff and placed it on the bed.

I grabbed an old band t shirt, a pair of black jeans. She opened the bathroom door and turned the light on. I stood up and made my way to the bathroom.

I fixed myself up even though i felt like my world was ending. I opened the door to see Kaci standing at the bed, she had fixed it up and made sure it was nice.

"You look nice. Come on, i will walk you to the group."

I followed behind her, my arms crossed as i took in the surroundings. The rooms that had been made to fit each persons personality.

A few of the rooms having posters of bands, a few having drawings on the wall. All of the rooms kinda like someone's piece of art.

The double door swung open to the room, the nurse smiled and waved as a few of the kids all lit up like christmas trees.

"Hi guys, this is Miller." Kaci spoke, her hand patting at my shoulder.

Everyone smiled and waved, a few of just sitting there as they studied me. The nerves picking up more as i just avoided eye contact with everyone.

"Go pick you out a sweetie." She smiled as she walked over to the other nurse.

A brunette patted the seat beside her, "You can sit here."

I took the empty seat, my hand picking off the chipped black nail polish as i looked down at the ground. The room filled with whispers.

"I'm Lyndsey, but everyone calls me Lynn." She smiled.

She elbowed my shoulder, my head looking up to her as she smiled. Her green eyes being the first thing i noticed.

"I uh. I'm Miller."

"Kinda caught that when Kaci said that." She laughed, her hand removing some of the hair that had fell in front of her face.

The sides of her head shaved as she talked to a group of guys that sat beside her, one with curly brown hair and the other with a few tattoos on his wrist.

"Alright guys, so you know how we do this. Since there's a new girl in this group. Let's introduce ourselves. I'll go first. I'm Michael." He smiled as he pointed to each of the kids that sat in the circle.

"I'm Lyndsey, Lynn for short. I'm nineteen. I have stage one cancer that attacks my lymph nodes. I  am now in recovery." Lynn smiled as she looked over to the curly headed guy.

"I'm Brian, i'm twenty three. I am actually here for an eating disorder. I am actually hopefully getting out tomorrow." He smiled.

"I'm Alex, also twenty three. I am in recovery as well for cancer that attacks my tissue in my leg." He spoke, his voice lower then the others. His head down at the ground as he spoke.

Michael pointed to me, i looked around the room and took a deep breath.

"I'm Miller. I'm eighteen, i'm here for uhm cancer. I found out about three months ago. It's in my right leg. I am actually supposed to go for chemo today." I spoke.

The group of kids all wishing me luck. I smiled and just took in the reality. This was all real, but if i'm lucky i can make a few friends.