Strength |✔️

six

Alisha

The hug Neil gives me is reassuring. After a while, he lets go. He gives me a smile. "I haven't gotten a hug like that in a while."

I chuckle. "Me neither." I don't think I ever got a hug like that.

His soft brown eyes gleam at me. His hair is a mess, but it suits him very well. He stands a little bit taller than me, as  his muscular arms release me. He's wearing big boxy black glasses, which looks cute on him. He's a very sweet guy, and without him, I would have to go through my recent issues alone.

"So," he says, putting his hands in his pockets awkwardly and looking at the floor, "I should probably get going. I hope you get better, Alisha. You deserve so much better."

His words make my heart gleam. I think I forgot how to speak. "Thanks," I say. I give him a reassuring grin.

Then he gives me a small wave and gives me a side smile, showing me his dimple. It's on his right cheek and it's adorable. Then he goes out the bathroom door.

I sigh. I smile to myself and look in the mirror. My eyes are bloodshot red. I take off my sweater and analyze my body. My body looks really skinny; so I decide to check my weight. I stand on the weight scale placed in the corner of my bathroom.

It shows up as 98 pounds.

My breath catches in my throat. 98 pounds? I checked a couple of weeks ago and I was 115. I lost that much that fast?

I quickly put my sweater back on. I don't want to look at myself anymore.

Opening the door, I plop on my bed and cry into my pillow.

********

That morning I decide to visit the doctor. I need to know what the hell is going on with me. Faith is still sleeping, and it's around 5:30am, and I can't sleep. At all. So, I decide to sneak out. The clinic should be open.

Instead of wearing a sweater that's literally see-through, I decide to wear something productive. Then I remember that Neil basically saw me in my bra and underwear. I blush. I change into a sweatshirt and sweatpants and put my hair up into the bun. I don't feel like putting an effort into my looks right now.

The clinic is about a couple of miles away, so I decide to walk it out. The chilly morning air makes me shiver. I dig my face into my hoodie. I walk slowly and look at my surroundings. I see a family: a Mom, Dad, and a baby in the stroller. The Dad is playing with the baby and tickles him while the baby giggles. The Mom laughs and pulls her phone out to take pictures. I smile sadly. I wish I had a family like that.

I reach the clinic in about no time. Opening the door, the heat inside the waiting room fills inside of me. I sigh with relief. It was getting way too cold for me.

There is no one in the small waiting room. There's an obese lady behind the counter where they admit patients into the clinic. She is speaking to someone on the phone and she seems really stressed at this moment.

"-yes, I know your husband has had Alzheimer for years. Yes, Amanda, listen to me!" She groans and looks at me. "Amanda, I am going to have to end the call, I have a patient." I hear an angry woman speak back. She groans and slams the phone down.

Then she calmly looks up. "Yes, sweetie, how may I help you?"

I clear my throat and stuff my hands in my pockets. "Hi, um, I would like to have a checkup."

"And what for?" She grabs a piece of paper and writes stuff down.

I take a deep breath. "It's for sudden weight loss."