Soar // Hamliza

• chapter 4 •

• Eliza •

Friday's never fail to make me happy.

When we all found out that Alex had cancer, we had no idea what to do or say or think. We knew he'd be out of school for a while and we wouldn't see him as much. Everyday after that just felt like it dragged on forever, since there was no witty comments or hilarious stories from him to fill up the emptiness.

Until John got an idea. He said that everyone in our friend group should go to the hospital on Friday's after school together. Each person would bring a different thing, whether it be food or drinks or movies or games. We would cram into Alex's tiny room and talk about the week and have fun.

Ever since his surgery two weeks ago, we haven't been able to have one of those little parties. But today is different.

The doctors decided that since he's improving a little bit, that we could all come visit. Let's just say that we were a little overexcited when Alex called us in the middle of lunch to tell us that.

Now, the whole 'squad' and I are wandering around the store about half an hour before we're going to see Alex. We've all split up into different sections and I'm currently on food duty with Peggy.

Peggy and I have never really been as close as I wanted us to be. Angelica and I have always been inseparable, but when it came to Peggy and I? There was always a distance between us, even if it was small.

I know that Peggy and Alexander have formed a close friendship within the past couple of months. They're each other's confidantes, which makes me happy that Alex can talk about his problems without worrying about me worrying like he always seems to do.

And I think it's good for Peggy too. Since she doesn't really talk to me or Angie about her problems, she can vent to Alex and know that her secrets are safe.

Alexander is a very trustworthy and loyal person. You could tell him the most insignificant thing in the world and ask him to keep it a secret, and he would. That's just the person that he is, and I love that about him.

But still, despite my sisters connection with my boyfriend, I can't seem to find one with her between the two of us. We were disconnected in a way and it made me sort of sad. I know Angelica like I know my own mind, but I didn't even come close to that when it came to Peggy.

She tossed a couple bags of chips in our cart as we walked into another aisle, scanning for the snacks we needed to get based on the absolutely humongous list we were given.

"Hey, Pegs?" I said after a few minutes of wandering the aisles with hardly any talking. She glanced over at me with her head tilted slightly.

"What's up?" She answered, turning back to the display of food before grabbing a few things and turning back to me.

"Let's go shopping this weekend at the mall together. Just you and I. We hardly ever spend time together, so let's do it tomorrow." I said suddenly, going with the idea that popped in my head first.

"Really? I thought you didn't like going out anymore, with all the anxiety stuff?" She said, quieting down a little when she mentioned my anxiety. I shrugged, ignoring the feeling in my gut telling me that she had a point.

"I'll be fine as long as I'm not alone. Do you wanna do it though? It could be a lot of fun! We could go to all our favorite stores and get lunch, but some new dance stuff, fill each other in on some gossip..." I said, trying to convince her even though I could see she was going to say yes. She laughed when I mentioned the gossip, knowing that was all Angie's forte.

"Yeah. I think it'll be really fun." She said with a smile. I felt one creep across my face as well and I laughed in happiness.

We continued through the store for a little bit longer before leaving and heading to the hospital, meeting up with everyone else and forcing them to help us carry the ten bags of snacks we'd brought.

Soon, we were all crowded in Alex's room, eating chips and donuts. Some of us were talking, others playing games or watching a movie. I sat next to Alex on the bed, snuggled into his side as he told me all about his adventures walking around the hospital. He was truly recovering, and the doctors said he'd most likely be released in just over two months, if the end of chemo and rehab went well for him. So far, everything was on track for it to be that way.

Despite the issues that have been thrown my way lately, our little Friday party today made me so happy. I'm past the darkest part in my life and even though I'm still retreating from the shadows, things are better. Alex is recovering, my sisters and I are growing closer, and my friends are happy.

In our circumstances, things couldn't be better.