Bloodstream ∞ Sprousehart

Back to it ∞ 6

A week after I was discharged, I was able to get back to work. I was met by the entire cast and crew applauding as I walked onto the sound stage. Lili was holding my hand and smiling, glad I was back. 

"We were all so worried about you." Skeet sighed. I had practised the script non stop, I wanted it to be perfect so we could move on as soon as we could. I didn't want to be the reason that we were falling behind. I had to film a few takes of Jughead talking to Dilton, a few takes of a scene between Betty and Jughead (which wasn't hard at all), and countless hours in the make-up chair to cover up the fact that I still looked sick. In between filming, it was me taking my medication, closely monitored by Lili. 

"How are you feeling?" She asked me. "Tired? Sore? Dizzy?"

"Lili," I cooed. "I'm fine, a little tired because I've just come back to work. As soon as I feel really bad, I'll tell you." 

"Okay, I just want to make sure that you're okay. It was so scary when you first felt like this. I don't want it to happen again." She mumbled. I squeezed her hand, and she rested her head in my lap. I stroked her hair. This whole experience has been hard on her, and I was grateful that I had her there. Casey and Cami walked onto the set of the student lounge, and I heard Casey smirk.

"If only you two would let me post this stuff on instagram. I'd break the internet." He grinned.

"C'mon Casey, let them be." Cami rolled her eyes. Casey plonked himself next to me, and Cami sat in the armchair next to Lili. Out of nowhere, my phone rang. It wasn't a number I recognised. I showed Lili and she shrugged.

"Hello?" I said into the phone. 

"Hi, is this Cole?" A female voice asked me on the other end.

"Speaking." I said awkwardly, and Lili tilted her head. 

"Hi my name is Lauren and I'm a nurse on the children's ward at the Vancouver hospital. I know that you had been sneaking onto the roof to speak with River at night. She's really unwell, her lungs are giving out and the doctors don't think that she'll make it any longer. She's a really sick girl who doesn't deserve this, I was hoping you would come see her one last time and say goodbye." The nurse explained. 

"Yeah of course, I'll be there as soon as I can." I said quietly and hung up. I could feel tears in my eyes. 

"Cole?" Lil asked me gently. "What happened?" She squeezed my hand. 

"River, she's dying." I mumbled. 

"Oh Cole." She whispered and rubbed my back. 

"I'm going to go see her." I whispered, but I got and idea. "How about we all go? Grant her a final wish." 

"Of course!" Lili nodded. We gathered Cami, Casey, KJ, and Madelaine and we all piled into the car. We filled them in on the drive. When we parked, we met Lauren in a back entrance. 

"Right this way." She told us.