lungs

part 8

i open my door to my house and put my house key inside my back pocket. "i'm home!" i yelled as i took off my shoes and closed the door.

my dad comes from the kitchen and hugs me. "hey pumpkin, how was your first day?" he asked.

i pull out of the hug and smile. "it was great! i made a few friends today." i said as i thought about lunch today.

he smiled. "that's good." he said.

i went to the pantry to get a snack. i open it up and there's nothing inside. "where's the snacks?" i asked confusedly.

"your mother went grocery shopping. she'll be home later." he said.

i nod and closed the pantry door. i go upstairs to my room. i look around it and see that i have still some unpacking to do.

i go to a box that right beside my bed. it's labeled. "anna's memories." i open the box and find a picture of mckenna and i at the top.

i remember that day. we had a sleepover at my house and watch her favorite movie that night. she ate all of my candy that i bought for myself though.

i smile and rub my thumb against the frame as i think about that memory. i put it next to my vanity, since my dad put it in my room when i was at school today.

i look at the next item in the box. it's a picture with me and my basketball teammates. it's from when i was thirteen, i had braces and pimples on my forehead. at least those braces did some work and now i can smile and look good.

i wanted to play basketball once i hit high school but i couldn't because my lung collapsed. the accident happened just a month after my 15th birthday. it was hard getting used to, and it still is hard even though it's been almost a year. but you know, everything changes.

i put the basketball picture right next to the one with mckenna and i. i go back to the box and get a medal and a trophy. i won that when we won the championship, everyone got one.

i put the trophy next to the pictures and hanged the medal on the trophy.

as i lean back from putting the medal on the trophy, someone knocks on my door. "come in." i said facing the door so i could no who it is.

sarah opens the door, she's on facetime with someone. she looks at her screen and smiles as she tells them to be quiet. "dad wanted to know if you took your medication." she said.

shit

"yeah, i did." i lied.

she nodded and looked back at her screen and smiled, while closing the door.

i go to my dresser and look at the orange pill bottle. it says "anna cross. 16yrs old." it's my pill i need to take everyday for the rest of my life.

i open the pill bottle and put the small pill in my hand. i don't need water to put get it down my throat, so i just put it in my mouth and feel it down my throat.

i decided to start my homework since i have a lot of it because i switched schools in the middle of the year.

+

a few hours go by and i finished my homework and also i ate dinner and it's 8:30 now. i come back upstairs from eating dinner and plop on my bed.

my phone buzzes, which means i get a text. i read who it's from and it's from zach.

"yo." he said.

i open the text and reply. "did you just 'yo' me again?"

i can see that smile on his face. "my bad. lol "hi" "

i smile. "that better." i texted.

"wyd." he wrote.

"literally nothing, wbu?" i answered.

"bruh same." he texted.

suddenly, i hear a knock and it's not coming from my door. it's coming from my window.

who is at my window at almost 9:00 at night

i get up from my bed and turn on my lamp next to my window. i open my blinds and see joey hanging on for dear life on the tree that leads up to my window.

i open my window and look at him as i arch a eyebrow. the wind is blowing his hair, he doesn't even have a jacket.

he smirks and holds up a box of chocolate with one red rose. "you like chocolate?" he asked, while his bottom jaw shatters because of the cold.

i laughed and put a hand out for him to come into my room. he grabbed my hand and i helped him get into my room.

this is kinda weird, sneaking a boy into my room that i don't even like at the moment.

he stands above me as he held out the chocolate and rose. "look anna, i'm sorry. i'm not trying to get in your "pants" i just wanna be your friend." he said, air quoting "pants".

i crossed my arms and smiled. "well i do like chocolate." i said looking at the chocolate.

he smiled, "so do you forgive me?" he asked, hoping i do.

i nod, "yes, birlem, i forgive you."

he laughed. "don't worry cross, i won't cross you again."

i slapped his arm and laughed. i look at the rose and furrowed my eyebrows. "that's my favorite flower, how'd you know?"

"isn't your favorite song by lil skies red roses because your favorite flower is a rose?" he asked.

i smiled and took the rose from his hand. "you listened?" i asked.

he tapped his forehead with his index finger and smirked. "i always listen."

i giggle and take the chocolate from his hands. "i want chocolate now." i said as i opened the box.

he laughed and sat at my vanity seat. i place my rose next to my night stand and sat on my bed, facing joey.

we shared the chocolate until it was all gone. once we were done eating it was time for him to go.

i open the window for him and he climbs out to the tree, making his way down to the grass. he puts his hands in his pocket as he arches up from the cold.

i look down at him from my window and smile. he smiles back and solutes to me like i'm some army dude. "good night, cross." he said.

i solute back to him, "good night, birlem."