Our Broken Hearts | Lauren Cimorelli

Nine

Lauren's POV:

I wake up to the loud commotion of talking and screaming that happens right in front of me. It takes me a while to focus clearly but I could almost instantly recognise their voices.

"Guys?" I say croakily. Everyone stops talking to stare at me, making me uncomfortable.

"Lauren!" Emma calls out and pushes her way to jump on my bed and squeeze me. Soon enough, everyone joins in and I'm surrounded by all of my friends again. Giving me a familiar feeling of back when I was still in high school.

"I've missed you so much!" I say while hugging them. They all respond with a 'me too' and eventually climb off of me and plop down on my hospital bed.

"Omg Lauren! You'll never guess what happened!" Alexa begins jumping up and down and smiling like an idiot.

Before I can respond, she rushes to tell me anyways.

"JACK ASKED ME OUT!" She screams excitedly and I smile for her. Alexa has been crushing on Jack since middle school and I'm so happy their ship is finally sailing.

"Yessss!!!" I say happily and clap my hands.

"Y'all better catch me up on the gossip," I say raising my eyebrow at them. They quickly drop whatever they were going to say next and fill me up with everything I missed.

—

Christina's POV:

Saturday eventually rolls around and the day is packed with the little boys soccer events and everyone trying to visit Lauren at the same time.

Dani, the little boys and are parents are finally coming to visit her as well today as it's the weekend. We're all going to go after the little boys soccer match.

Our house has definitely became a lot quieter than usual. Everyone just spends their time writing or praying that Lauren won't die. The little boys and Dani aren't as energetic as they used to be, they rarely go outside. Kath tends to write a lot more now and Amy tends to write sad songs on her guitar. Michael is trying to keep the family together with group meals when our parents are working till early hours of the morning but that rarely works. Alex spends more time with the family than he used too. And Lisa, well, she doesn't ever come out of her room unless it's to see Lauren. I haven't seen her eat a full meal until Lauren was admitted. I'm worried for her. I guess I haven't really changed drastically, but I'm trying so hard to not let this family fall apart.

I know things must be hard for Lauren. I can't imagine having cancer at 17! I'm scared that one day she'll give up and I know how strong of a fighter she is. I'm scared that I'll loose her. If I did, then I wouldn't have a clue what to do.

—

Lauren's POV:

"Bye Laur! Get better," Kate says as she walks out the room with Hanna, Jade, Emma and Alexa following her. I wave to them as they disappear out of sight.

I roll over to look at the alarm clock that lies next to me, 1pm. I know my family will be here soon so I decide not to sleep and to watch a movie instead.

"My darling," A voice comes from the door. I quickly pause the movie while the body engulfs me into a tight hug. It's my mom.

"Mom," I say happy to see her, I've missed her a lot this past week but I can't blame them, I know they have to work.

"Hey dad,"

"Hi honey, how you feeling?" He asks me and takes a seat.

"Good," I say and for once it's the truth. Come to think of it, I haven't really felt sick this entire day. Maybe I'm getting better, I hope so.

"That's great!" A voice pops up and walks in. Every single one of my siblings stand in the crowded small room and give me a hug one by one.

"Dani!! I missed you so much," I tell her and give her the longest hug.

"Sugar! I missed you soooo much," She says dragging out the 'o'.

"So Laur, what did you do today?" Kath asks me as she sits down on my bed.

"My friends came to visit," I tell her with a smile.

"That's so cool!" Amy replies and sits on a blue chair next to my bed.

Small talk is made amongst us while we all crowd around the bed and watch a movie. The knock at the door interrupts us,

"Sorry to interrupt. Lauren I just wanted to ask how you were feeling?" The doctor comes in.

"I haven't felt sick or weak this whole entire day. For once, I feel great!" I say happily with a smile. The doctor doesn't seem too happy but nods anyway and forces a smile. I wonder why he isn't happy? Is this not a good sign?

"That's great! Right Doc?" Alex says happily and looks towards the doctor.

"Mr and Mrs Cimorelli, May I speak to you outside for a minute?" He asks, ignoring Alex's question. A sense of worry circles my gut as I look at my parents who nod and walk away.

"Don't worry Lo," Christina whispers to me and grabs my hand. I nod and play the movie.

*

Lynne Cimorelli's POV:

"What's wrong Doc?" Mike asks as he takes my clammy and shaky hand into his.

"I don't want to worry you, but it's probably not the best thing that Lauren is feeling better." He says sympathetically.

"What? Why?" I ask confused.

"In some cases, it's the calm before the storm. It happens 98% of the time to cancer patients," He tells us.

"What does that mean?" I ask getting impatient.

"Honey, it means that Lauren feels better because her body is shutting down. She's feeling well again and then one day she won't. And then, that means Lauren's gone." My husband tells me, a few tears rolling down his cheek.

"So, she's feeling better because she's going to die soon?" I ask shocked and on the verge of screaming with fear.

"I'm sorry to say, but yes. It does." He tells us.

"How long d-does she have?" Michael asks croakily.

"Mm, two weeks. Maybe three," He tells us sympathetically and then gives a slight smile before walking away.

"NO! MY BABY!" I scream, causing people to look at us. I break down, sobbing into Michaels shoulder while he soothes me.

"She can't die Mike, she's my baby." I choke on my words and sob some more.

"I know Lynne, I know." He says and wipes his own tears as we support each other.

—

Lauren's POV:

A few minutes later and my parents come back in, their eyes swollen and puffy and looking devastated.

"What happened?" Christina asks pausing the movie instantly.

They take their own seats on the chair and avoid eye contact.

"We should get going," My dad says quietly and stumbles to get up. We look at each other in confusion.

"Mom, what's going on?" I ask her confused and nervous.

"Everything's fine honey. Get some rest," She tells me still avoiding my eyes. She then, swiftly gets up and walks out the room. Our Dad follows suit and then one by one my siblings leave too.

"Lisa, I'm scared now." I tell her before she leaves.

"Don't worry Lo. Everything's fine," She says and kisses my forehead.

"We'll be back on Monday. Enjoy Sunday tomorrow," She tells me and I nod before she walks out the room.

I wonder what the heck happened outside.