Side Effects ✄ L.H

Two ✄ Breathing

as the bell for last lesson rang i stayed sat in my seat while everyone else left, so i didn't get ran into or made to walk fast. it was just something i couldn't do, my lungs wouldn't allow it. they are too crappy. i pulled myself out of my seat, starting my short walk home. i told my parents that i wanted to walk home and i said that if i ever felt like i couldn't i would call them.

when i was just outside the school gates i felt someone grab my hand and stop me. i turned around to find a grinning luke. "hey!" he greeted, releasing my hand.

"hey." i copied.

"erm i was just wondering if maybe you'd like to walk with me, i just live around the corner from here." he asked, his cheeks now tinted pink as he scratched the back of his head.

"sure i live around the corner as well." he gave me another one of his huge grins. as we were walking my oxygen tank kept turning over so i had to keep stopping. "grace, i kinda figured from this morning that you don't like help with that, but would you like me to carry it for you?" i nodded my head, letting go of the handle and letting him pick it up.

"how do you know about this morning?" i questioned shooting him a confused look.

he shrugged his shoulders, " i dunno it's just i saw a girl trying to take it this morning and you didn't seem too happy about it!" he chuckled. "well here's me!" he stated placing down my oxygen tank.

"for real? we're neighbours!" i laughed, pulling up the handle on the oxygen tank again.

"hey do you want to come in for a bit, i've just got a few mates staying here 'cause my parents are out of town."

"um i probably shouldn't, it's just i'm not very good around people, i kinda prefer to be alone." i stated, turning to walk to my house.

"but what about today in form? we spoke then and you were fine." he questioned me.

"i don't know, you were just so nice to me and-"

"am i not being nice now?"

"no- i mean yes! yes you are it's just-" suddenly everything went blurry and i was dizzy. i felt like everything was spinning.

"grace! are you ok? what's happening?" luke asked, worry surrounding us. soon i felt him lifting me and carrying me into his house. "guys? help! i don't know what's wrong with her!" he yelled and as soon as the words left his mouth three other boys were crowded around me.

"she has canc- she has something wrong with her lungs, she can't breath properly.

"you can say it you know." i breathed out, clutching my hand over my chest, "you can say cancer it doesn't make a difference to me."

"should we call ambulance?" one of the boys asked luke, from what i could make out he had bright green hair. i quickly shook my head as he mentioned the ambulance.

"just give me a minute."